one problem solved another problem comes!

what is a cMP? classic Macbook pro? but you mention retina display?

I also have the same need like you. I decided to order rMBP. I've used early 2008 MBP weights 2.45 kgs. I know, it is light for some you out there but 4 years with this laptop, I want something lighter.

Than I look MBA, I thought this is the perfect choice! but then I compare the screen with my old MBP, I don't like the MBA screen.

cMBP 13" max 1280 res, cMBP 15" PERFECT! but heavy 2.54 kgs, even heavier.

rMBP is perfect for me. I believe that Apple will address this lag issue and a lot of apps will come to support the scaling for the screen.

For me, rMBP it's perfect.

 

Yea i was in the same boat as you, but im in malaysia..
There are no rMBP yet in the resellers like machines, istudy and studio but i opted for the classic MBP 15" highest spec. It has the same price as the base retina but i added RM306 for the High res anti glare (i think you meant hi-res and not a cMBP retina)

Im still a student, pursuing architecture and needed a fast, upgradable mac, and the retina is too new to be opting for it. Its beautiful, but being in asia pacific where mac technology is a little slow and expensive, i went for the latter.

If you need for photo editing, and playing around with garageband, i would personally opt for the classic highspec @ 15".. Why? The hi res screen should be enough as people before made beautiful shots and edited professionally even before retina came out. Retina is helpful with such programms but do you really need a retina? Even the 15 base line with hi res is enough for photo editing.

Also, to me, self Upgradable inexpensive RAM, and a future SSD upgrade is very important as i will be using the computer for ahwhile, so again, i prefer the classic.

But its your money, your choice. Some need something flashy and new thus opted for retina, but i need it to help me improve my studies and skills, and would invest in something reliable and upgradable.

 

I would not hesitate and take a Retina. So sexy. The screen is amazing and it's so fast with the flash architecture.
The base model should be enough for you, if you need more storage use USB3. In one year or so you will find plenty of offers to replace the 256go for a 512go quite cheap.

 

Im still waiting for mine to arrive in a day or two. I ordered the anti glare hi res bcause i want the most accurate colours and a larger realestate. But i think the normal is fine, many people who buys them usually opt for the normal screen and they say its great. Glossy is more vivid and great to view photos BUT the colours are not accurate when printed on paper, the anti glare shows much accurate colours.

 

replacing the SSD will be possible from third party sellers but using third party SSD will likely void the warranty.

A laptop is a disposable item. I am sure the computer service shops will be able to repair most things in the retina almost as easily as the macbook pro one year down the road. It will be more expensive to repair but the higher price of the laptop will make the repair worth it.

Only time will tell if the retina suffers from defects that appear later in the life of the model. I prefer to believe it won't, but like always in life, it's a bet.

 

I still don't understand why you want to change the hdd inside it. I've used 250GB space for photoshop PSD files, RAW photo files, movie and office datas (of course I also use external harddisk). 256GB is more than enough I think. It's just how you manage your things.


However, if you plan to change it, forget MBA /rMBP. That's it. Buy classic MBP.
I repair my MBP by myself because it is very easy (not for some though).

I think cMBP 13" /15" is enough for you.

However again...if you want to buy rMBP and use it for 4 years. Buy 16gb memory + apple care. It will still have good resale price.

 

In malaysia, the high end cost me RM6199 after student discout. Plus i added another RM306 for the hires anti glare. Its RM6505 all together

 

lag issue is not a software preblem but a hardware problem. I believe that the GPU is not par with the retina display. That is why its struggle to cope up. Apple never fix my macbook air rev A overheating issue. Apple excuse, my macbook air technology is old, compare to new macbook air. That is why it has overheating issue. I've been to genius Bar 3 years straight with no luck. That someday I am hoping, they will fix my overheating issue. So don't put your luck on a 1st gen Retina display. Because when the technology catch up after 3 years. You will be left with a very expensive 1st gen macbook pro retina with low resale value.

 

Have to agree here. Look at 1st gen iPhone, how quickly it was shelved (legitimately), 1st gen iPad... My retina iPad, though beautiful, page tears when scrolling and is slower than the ipad2 with simple tasks, like loading thumbnails of shared videos. Which also seems to be hardware based. Wait for next cycle if you can!

 

A RMBP is probably overkill for what amounts to basically just playing around and light media use on a laptop. Any of the Mac laptops would work for what you want to do, just depends how big a screen you want and how easily you want to be able to swap out your hard drive and battery.

 

You obviously don't know why there is lag :
The retina macbook pro render the screen at 2880x1800 (in retina standard mode). Then it performs a downscale to fit to the 1440x800 resolution. Laggy UI doesn't exist : software on demonstration macbook is buggy and slow down everything, it doesn't exist on retail macbook.
Next is the lag in Safari : yes, the lag exist. But it's fixed in moutain lion. There is many reports from users who have installed moutain lion and it's perfectly snappy and working as expected.

 

I doubt the lag problem is hardware problem because not all rMBP owner experience the lag. Some who has installed DP mountain lion said that the lag is gone using another program besides safari.

For me , this powerful hardware cannot be the reason there is lag.It's also because the scaling calculation. I believe that there will be apps to control this.

 

Sorry, I have to disagree. All mac series which has store application experience lag. it is gone when the store application is turned off.

Most of use haven't experienced the rMBP, so we cannot judge that. It is not so Apple.

Also you haven't used mac. This is your first time if you buy the 2012 series. So.... I can say to you : take it or leave it.

For the sake of Steve, please experience mac and know the history before you give opinion let alone you haven't used mac before. Sorry if I'm too harsh.

 

I bought a retina macbook and i'm writing on it right now !
And YES, there is lag in safari under lion, on heavy webpages (running at 1440x900). Nothing too annoying...
No lag in Lion UI, expose and mission control are snappy as hell !