Purchased cMBP... conflicted. rMBP owners please chime in.

[alyshehata]

I sold my old 15" MBP . I do marketing work. Work with RAW images and primarily use Lightroom, Photoshop, Illustrator and inDesign. I went with the cMBP body because it felt more comfortable with the concept of being able to upgrade when needed.

HOWEVER.

I keep feeling inclined towards trading it back to Best Buy during my 30 day return policy and getting the rMBP. The ONLY thing that is killing me are these issues:

* rMBP issues with WIFI
* rMBP issues with UI latency
* rMBP issues with screen retention
* rMBP issue with non-upgradability... I would like my MBP to last at LEAST 2-3 years.

Go get the RMBP! It is amazing.

issues with wifi : 0

issues with UI latency: sometimes it lags when it's on the integrated, but at least you're saving a lot of battery power. when it's on Discrete it's flawless.

issues with screen retention: well, it happens every now and then on some displays, not a big deal, but if you can't live with it, replace it and hopefully the next one wont have this issue.

issue with non-upgradability: i think the rmbp will last you more than 3 years without upgrading. 16 gigs of ram is plenty, and the nVidia 650M is more than superb for a super light laptop. The SSD is upgradeable, and the processor is really good.

The screen and the weight of this thing alone make me love it. I take it to college every day and it feels so light and nice. The resolutions of every other screen sucks now, and I just love enjoying the best screen on the planet

 

[alphaod]

How much do you have and what do you do? Only reason I don't have the option is that I purchased from Best Buy.

I have 16GB and I don't run out that often. It's only when working with very big files. I don't expect most people to need more than 8GB. You should be fine with your purchase.

 

[JoJo Zzang]

How bad? I have a Samsung and I have a little.

But, I never notice it during usage - only when I turn the screen off and shine a light on it.

its not "bad" ... what would the "general" consensus be...

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Go get the RMBP! It is amazing.

issues with wifi : 0

issues with UI latency: sometimes it lags when it's on the integrated, but at least you're saving a lot of battery power. when it's on Discrete it's flawless.

issues with screen retention: well, it happens every now and then on some displays, not a big deal, but if you can't live with it, replace it and hopefully the next one wont have this issue.

issue with non-upgradability: i think the rmbp will last you more than 3 years without upgrading. 16 gigs of ram is plenty, and the nVidia 650M is more than superb for a super light laptop. The SSD is upgradeable, and the processor is really good.

The screen and the weight of this thing alone make me love it. I take it to college every day and it feels so light and nice. The resolutions of every other screen sucks now, and I just love enjoying the best screen on the planet

I got 8GB. I work with programs like Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator and inDesign.

 

[EnderTW]

I sold my old 15" MBP . I do marketing work. Work with RAW images and primarily use Lightroom, Photoshop, Illustrator and inDesign. I went with the cMBP body because it felt more comfortable with the concept of being able to upgrade when needed.

HOWEVER.

I keep feeling inclined towards trading it back to Best Buy during my 30 day return policy and getting the rMBP. The ONLY thing that is killing me are these issues:

* rMBP issues with WIFI
* rMBP issues with UI latency
* rMBP issues with screen retention
* rMBP issue with non-upgradability... I would like my MBP to last at LEAST 2-3 years.

Honestly, I've had it for about 1.5 weeks, still in honeymoon stage but can tell you the truth.

1) No wifi issues at all.
2) UI Latency definitely depeonds on the application. Chrome canary states it's GPU accelerated but it's very choppy compared to safari 6. Safari 6 isn't buttery smooth, but it's definitely smooth. As far as other apps, I haven't had the issue with lag. BTW, I run my screen res at 1650 rather than native.
3) I have LG Panel, no problems with retention. knock on wood.
4) 8gb ram and 256 ssd is good enough for me. Ram and CPU are both very good. Storage, I would use thunderbolt and external storage.

 

[dagamer34]

Much like the original MacBook Air, I don't think the Retina MacBook Pro will really hit its stride without any tradeoffs until 2-3 years from now when GPU vendors catch up in supporting hardware scaling of such high DPI displays.

As such, I'd just keep the classic knowing that you'll probably want to sell it in 1-2 years time. In fact, I'd just go find a 2011 model which should be cheap for around $1100 and stick with that until 2014 when you can sell it and get a retina.

 

[JoJo Zzang]

Much like the original MacBook Air, I don't think the Retina MacBook Pro will really hit its stride without any tradeoffs until 2-3 years from now when GPU vendors catch up in supporting hardware scaling of such high DPI displays.

As such, I'd just keep the classic knowing that you'll probably want to sell it in 1-2 years time. In fact, I'd just go find a 2011 model which should be cheap for around $1100 and stick with that until 2014 when you can sell it and get a retina.

Too late. I already had the 2011 model and sold it.

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I've heard alot of these issues can be resolved from Apples side with updates. How much truth does this hold...

 

[AirThis]

OP, here's my verdict so far:

- No UI lag at best for retina (including running on batteries with hd4000). I use all trackpad gestures and am very picky. I followed the suggestions of other MR members (dock auto-hide, show dock items as lists and not as stacks)
- Minor safari lag on certain web sites. When I say minor, I really mean minor. If you scroll while zoomed in, the lag is more noticeable. However, this is not how I browse pages so not a problem for me.
- No ghosting
- No bleeding
- No missing pixels

I have a Samsung screen, and the default color profile is slightly warm (yellowish) to my taste, but this is correctable by tweaking color profiles.

 

[shansoft]

* rMBP issues with WIFI
* rMBP issues with UI latency
* rMBP issues with screen retention
* rMBP issue with non-upgradability... I would like my MBP to last at LEAST 2-3 years.

1. Wifi issue is always there, but that is only if you are sensitive enough to notice the ping spike. There are some WiFi drops problem on some routers and settings.

2. This can be really annoying, but its up to you to decide if you can stick with it.

3. It's all about karma for this one.... You are either lucky or you are not.

4. It's only the RAM that is not upgradeable, the SSD you can still do it.


Overall, the its up to you to decide your needs. I do have to point out rMBP have much more aggressive throttling on CPU than cMBP due to cooling. So if you run CPU intense software a lot, I suggest you to stick with cMBP.

 

[vpro]

Be conflicted no more.

Be conflicted -- no more my friend.

Just hold out a little longer because it will pay off to get the next generation rmacbook. I'm a recording artist and work on only very few photos and videos, my husband is a writer also works a lot with photos and videos on the late 2011 - 17" MacBook Pro.

I just got a new one, it's a fancy French/Canadian model, to replace my 2007, mine is now all updated, the late - great 2011 / 2.5Ghz quad core i7 17" MacBook Pro, maxed out with 16GB of 1600Mhz DDR3 ram and 960GB SSD + 556 data doubler, using my 750(7200rpm HHD) as an external and optical drive as an external too. But I got a Blue Ray drive for movies. My boot up time is between 11 and 15 seconds, all my files go to iCloud and my external 750GB HHD for time capsule.

I use the Apogee Quartet as my audio interface.

We each use three thunderbolt displays at our desks. The 17" MacBook Pro travels well and if we travel for work - 1st class provides enough room to stretch out and use our monstrous workhorses side by side ^_^.

All of the above suits us fine because we gave the maxed out rmacbook a fair trial period, running heavy work on it but eh.. As entreprenuers we get to write off almost all of our expenses in our creative endeavors each year, so this way we write of so much MORE than if we stuck with the 2 maxed out retina macbooks.

Think about that when you decide on a retina or current machine, really make your dollar stretch and you purchasing power matter. Apple doesn't have our respect or support for the retina macbook 15". We will buy ourselves each a 13" retina, that makes PERFECT sense but 15" just doesn't make any sense, 17" oh ya sure, we'll give you all our money then but eh.

Thanks.

 

[JoJo Zzang]

Be conflicted -- no more my friend.

Just hold out a little longer because it will pay off to get the next generation rmacbook. I'm a recording artist and work on only very few photos and videos, my husband is a writer also works a lot with photos and videos on the late 2011 - 17" MacBook Pro.

I just got a new one, it's a fancy French/Canadian model, to replace my 2007, mine is now all updated, the late - great 2011 / 2.5Ghz quad core i7 17" MacBook Pro, maxed out with 16GB of 1600Mhz DDR3 ram and 960GB SSD + 556 data doubler, using my 750(7200rpm HHD) as an external and optical drive as an external too. But I got a Blue Ray drive for movies. My boot up time is between 11 and 15 seconds, all my files go to iCloud and my external 750GB HHD for time capsule.

I use the Apogee Quartet as my audio interface.

We each use three thunderbolt displays at our desks. The 17" MacBook Pro travels well and if we travel for work - 1st class provides enough room to stretch out and use our monstrous workhorses side by side ^_^.

All of the above suits us fine because we gave the maxed out rmacbook a fair trial period, running heavy work on it but eh.. As entreprenuers we get to write off almost all of our expenses in our creative endeavors each year, so this way we write of so much MORE than if we stuck with the 2 maxed out retina macbooks.

Think about that when you decide on a retina or current machine, really make your dollar stretch and you purchasing power matter. Apple doesn't have our respect or support for the retina macbook 15". We will buy ourselves each a 13" retina, that makes PERFECT sense but 15" just doesn't make any sense, 17" oh ya sure, we'll give you all our money then but eh.

Thanks.

How does it make sense for the 13", but not the 15" ... that escapes all logic for myself.

Anywho... I've already purchased. Do I have buyers remorse... not really. There are a few things that do annoy me... UI lag for one. Gets bad with Safari... Really?!

The laptop is really well made and the screen is in fact great.

The only thing I "wish" I could have gotten was 16GB. But, due to my situation I was limited to what Best Buy offered. It made zero sense for me to sell a 2011 MacBook Pro and get the classic and not the retina.

I AM planning though on keeping this laptop until the next release next year and purchase Ver B.

PS... Time Capsule? That is an overpriced HD imo...

 

[vpro]

PS... Time Capsule? That is an overpriced HD imo...

*woops* My bad, I really meant - using my original 750HDD as an external backup for time machine, for now.

 

[M5RahuL]

.... I do have to point out rMBP have much more aggressive throttling on CPU than cMBP due to cooling. So if you run CPU intense software a lot, I suggest you to stick with cMBP.

Whaaaa ? The cooling on the rMBP is WAY... WAY better than the cMBP [ yes, I own both! ] and I have yet to see ANY throttling on the rMBP.

Do you even own a rMBP or have used one for more than 20 minutes ?

Completely ridiculous statement!!

 

[stevelam]

I bit the bullet and purchased an 8B rMBP with the 512 SSD...

Horrible idea. Should have gotten 16gb ram and upgraded the SSD yourself later on.

Also I hope you know that none of those adobe apps have been updated for retina. Have fun working in blurry mode.

 

[shansoft]

Whaaaa ? The cooling on the rMBP is WAY... WAY better than the cMBP [ yes, I own both! ] and I have yet to see ANY throttling on the rMBP.

Do you even own a rMBP or have used one for more than 20 minutes ?

Completely ridiculous statement!!

No and Yes, it's a company laptop, so I do not own it, but I do use it everyday.

I have no clue where you got the rMBP have better cooling from. The fan is much more aggressive, but under stress cMBP cooling shows the edge over rMBP. Someone also state the same throttling problem somewhere in this forum, you can look it up.