Finally settled for the 2.3, 8Gb, 256Gb base model, my heart had rung out for a 2.7, 16G, 512Gb since the launch, the additional speed & storage how could I not benefit from this additional performance boost, what a difference it would make. My mind rang out the truth resoundingly, the computational performance difference is insignificant unless you can moniterize the time saving. Onboard storage is always preferable yet it`s difficult to dismiss with todays present USB 3 1Tb USB drives on offer, for what is realistically for me a medium to store entertainment on the road. My apps and work easily fall well within the 256Gb limit.
The final and far more compelling and by far the most overriding factor, next years Retina will be a significant improvement in many aspects, Intel`s "Tock" will deliver Haswell, bolstering both CPU and GPU, further reducing thermals. Apple will have refined the production process and to that end the 2.3 will likely be the easiest to sell on. I am the first to agree that there is no point in waiting if you have a need, frankly I don't have that need as I already have a Late 2011 15" 2.4 i7 MPB and will retain it, an extremely capable machine to say the least, I just wanted to experience the Retina for myself, nothing more, nothing less.
As a rule I buy my Mac`s towards the end of the cycle opting for the high end model, in general the systems are more refined, reliable and this is exactly what I did buying a Late 2011, 15" 2.4 i7 in November last year anticipating the new MBP in 2012. What I didn't anticipate was such a dramatic change; form factor, flash, HDD & ODD gone, IPS & Retina display, cooling, speakers; the new MBP is a very substantial upgrade, nor did I anticipate that Apple would offer both "Next Generation" and "Legacy" MBP side by side.
As for my 2.3, so far it is absolutely perfect, no physical anomalies, display is perfect no dead pixels, no image retention, performance is on face value very similar to my Late 2011 2.4 i7, SSD make its presence known, with super slick response times, next years Retina MBP will be another leap into the future, all the same the 2012 Retina has to be seen, this is without any doubt the most superbly engineered portable computer to date. For those that design, those from engineering disciplines the "Next Generation? MBP is where it`s at.
All in all I am very pleased with the Retina, it definitely meets my initial expectations time will tell the rest. Ironically as I look at my desk with MBP 4.1, MBP 8.2 and now MBP 9.1 I am writing this on my Early 2008 MBP 4.1, the 2011 is busy converting video, the Retina slowly downloading updates.
If you have a need for a Retina MBP it`s definitely going to make a difference, if you just want a Retina MPB you wont be disappointed
The final and far more compelling and by far the most overriding factor, next years Retina will be a significant improvement in many aspects, Intel`s "Tock" will deliver Haswell, bolstering both CPU and GPU, further reducing thermals. Apple will have refined the production process and to that end the 2.3 will likely be the easiest to sell on. I am the first to agree that there is no point in waiting if you have a need, frankly I don't have that need as I already have a Late 2011 15" 2.4 i7 MPB and will retain it, an extremely capable machine to say the least, I just wanted to experience the Retina for myself, nothing more, nothing less.
As a rule I buy my Mac`s towards the end of the cycle opting for the high end model, in general the systems are more refined, reliable and this is exactly what I did buying a Late 2011, 15" 2.4 i7 in November last year anticipating the new MBP in 2012. What I didn't anticipate was such a dramatic change; form factor, flash, HDD & ODD gone, IPS & Retina display, cooling, speakers; the new MBP is a very substantial upgrade, nor did I anticipate that Apple would offer both "Next Generation" and "Legacy" MBP side by side.
As for my 2.3, so far it is absolutely perfect, no physical anomalies, display is perfect no dead pixels, no image retention, performance is on face value very similar to my Late 2011 2.4 i7, SSD make its presence known, with super slick response times, next years Retina MBP will be another leap into the future, all the same the 2012 Retina has to be seen, this is without any doubt the most superbly engineered portable computer to date. For those that design, those from engineering disciplines the "Next Generation? MBP is where it`s at.
All in all I am very pleased with the Retina, it definitely meets my initial expectations time will tell the rest. Ironically as I look at my desk with MBP 4.1, MBP 8.2 and now MBP 9.1 I am writing this on my Early 2008 MBP 4.1, the 2011 is busy converting video, the Retina slowly downloading updates.
If you have a need for a Retina MBP it`s definitely going to make a difference, if you just want a Retina MPB you wont be disappointed
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