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- Thread starter Rossagues
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If you need it you need it...
There will probably be an update to broadwell and a possible dGPU upgrade in the higher spec version around june this year but if you need one now you need one now.
The speed differences are just that unless you are pegging all four cores at close to 100% most of the time the differences are not that great. If you need good performance under CUDA you'll want the dGPU version with the 750M (this card is getting long in the tooth now and has been far surpassed by NVIDIA latest offerings).
If you are working mostly in open CL then the igpu will be just fine and the broadwell one will not be fantastically better maybe 15-20% faster...
What it boils down to is if you can wait then it'll be better depending what you use it for but if you need one now then the current 15 inch macbook pro is a fantastic machine that'll see you good for years to come.
I'd buy a late 2013 refurbished and save some cash and consider upgrading in 2-3 years time.
There will probably be an update to broadwell and a possible dGPU upgrade in the higher spec version around june this year but if you need one now you need one now.
The speed differences are just that unless you are pegging all four cores at close to 100% most of the time the differences are not that great. If you need good performance under CUDA you'll want the dGPU version with the 750M (this card is getting long in the tooth now and has been far surpassed by NVIDIA latest offerings).
If you are working mostly in open CL then the igpu will be just fine and the broadwell one will not be fantastically better maybe 15-20% faster...
What it boils down to is if you can wait then it'll be better depending what you use it for but if you need one now then the current 15 inch macbook pro is a fantastic machine that'll see you good for years to come.
I'd buy a late 2013 refurbished and save some cash and consider upgrading in 2-3 years time.
The best time is when Intel releases their broadwell chipset. Apple is in a holding pattern until intel releases the chipset (this summer).
If you can wait 6 months then do so, if not, get one now.
You will always get more for the money with an iMac compared to a MBP. It really comes down to wether you need to be portable or not.
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Skylake should have a big iGPU boost. GT4e has 72 EUs and 128MB od eDRAM, from the current 40/128MB on the 15" Macbook Pros. With the shrink and generational changes and better driver implementation, it should scale up linearly at the very least. Assuming Apple opts for Iris Pro again and the top configuration.
But if you're not looking at the 15", then the other models should be pretty close through Skylake (so you're good as far as 2016 or 2017). Some tweaks but nothing you would really feel regret over.
But if you're not looking at the 15", then the other models should be pretty close through Skylake (so you're good as far as 2016 or 2017). Some tweaks but nothing you would really feel regret over.
Hard decision.
Tough call, if you don't need the portability then the iMac will be a better bet for the desktop class processor and more powerful mobile GPU's.
It also gives you the option of that 5K screen which by all accounts is a thing of beauty and can give you huge images and 4K video to work on with space for your app menus and controls around the outside.
It is also fantastic for just screen real estate but this can be acheived with the 15 inch rMBP and an external screen.
If I didn't need portability I would be looking at the retina iMac if I was you I think you'll find it a massive bonus for increased workflow. If you need the portability then it's the top end 15 inch really with a monitor when in the office.
Tough call, if you don't need the portability then the iMac will be a better bet for the desktop class processor and more powerful mobile GPU's.
It also gives you the option of that 5K screen which by all accounts is a thing of beauty and can give you huge images and 4K video to work on with space for your app menus and controls around the outside.
It is also fantastic for just screen real estate but this can be acheived with the 15 inch rMBP and an external screen.
If I didn't need portability I would be looking at the retina iMac if I was you I think you'll find it a massive bonus for increased workflow. If you need the portability then it's the top end 15 inch really with a monitor when in the office.
No, the 300 Mhz difference is so minute. Spend the money on a larger SSD or RAM preferably, instead.
Just go for the standard high-end 15" with the 750M. The processor bump is pretty insignificant.
The processor upgrade is the least bang for your buck, unless you constantly do rendering.
It's the reason why I still keep my early-2011 15" cMBP with matte screen.
The retina panel still attracts glare like a solar panel outdoors.
Unfortunately, there is no more matte option.
Unfortunately not, the Retina screen comes in glossy only.
With regards to the CPU upgrade, unless your job depends on rendering or encoding video 10 minutes faster a day or some other high-end task, save yourself the money. Photoshop, Illustrator etc won't really leverage an extra 300 MHz to be noticeable, at all.
Buy a case or bag for it, go out to a restaurant, save it for a rainy day - there definitely are better ways to spend £150.
Ooooh top of the range
I see you went for it good call, I hope it's as fast as you'd hoped I bet it is....
I see you went for it good call, I hope it's as fast as you'd hoped I bet it is....
Congrats on your new purchase! I, too, went top of the line when I purchased my rMBP and I couldn't be happier! Enjoy your new toy! 