Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Retina Display: Feature or Gimmick?

eba said:
Perhaps "gimmick" is too strong a word. I don't mean to imply that it's just a marketing ploy with no real utility.

I'm just asking whether, at this time, in its current implementation, it's really worth all the hoopla. And it just seems to me that it carries - at the moment - as many compromises as improvements.

I assume that will change over time. But now is now.
Click to expand...

Technology does not move forward if you sit and wait. Apple can't wait for developers to make Retina compatible apps, they have to put the technology out there to provide the incentive.

Over time, developers with either adapt of be left behind as other developers fill the gap.

In other words, the question you are asking is ridiculous. Of course this BRAND NEW display is not going to perform well in every case/app as there has to be development around it. However, just like the iPhone and now iPad this will change over time (and quite rapidly I think).
 
From a development standpoint this isn't a surprise.

Developers pretty much were clued in months ago.

For me I need a laptop that will cover my needs for the next few years. Let's you do buy non-Retina laptop. Congrats ...in 3 years when all Macs are Retina your resale value sucks because the value of a non-Retina screen simply isn't going to hold.
 
calderone said:
In other words, the question you are asking is ridiculous.
Click to expand...

So it's ridiculous to ask whether it makes sense to wait?

You're an Apple marketeer's dream.

----------
nuckinfutz said:
For me I need a laptop that will cover my needs for the next few years. Let's you do buy non-Retina laptop. Congrats ...in 3 years when all Macs are Retina your resale value sucks because the value of a non-Retina screen simply isn't going to hold.
Click to expand...

But the same can be true with the first-gen RMBP. It's like with the first-gen MacBook Air. It was great from a "Look, I have the latest technology" standpoint. But it wasn't really a great computer - I know; I had one.
 
eba said:
So it's ridiculous to ask whether it makes sense to wait?

You're an Apple marketeer's dream.

----------



But the same can be true with the first-gen RMBP. It's like with the first-gen MacBook Air. It was great from a "Look, I have the latest technology" standpoint. But it wasn't really a great computer - I know; I had one.
Click to expand...

Yea its a good question. After finding out the bootcamp temps are the same to the earlier unibody, im considering getting the older model unibody. Ill never use the optical drive, but ill save allot of money and get the exact same hardware... Flash drive, can be matched by an SSD, and u can get it way cheaper from non-apple retailers. RAM same story...

Then not to mention ill get the cmputer a whole lot sooner... time and money are a factor here for me....
 
eba said:
So it's ridiculous to ask whether it makes sense to wait?

You're an Apple marketeer's dream.

----------



But the same can be true with the first-gen RMBP. It's like with the first-gen MacBook Air. It was great from a "Look, I have the latest technology" standpoint. But it wasn't really a great computer - I know; I had one.
Click to expand...

Yes it is ridiculous. Or let me rephrase, it is ridiculous to externalize this question. You know the pro and you know the cons. Tossing up flamebait thread titles is just begging for attention.

Also note, my comment gave no guidance as to whether you should or should not buy, nice of you to take the position that I am falling all over this new kit, shows that you aren't biased in the slightest...
 
eba said:
But the same can be true with the first-gen RMBP. It's like with the first-gen MacBook Air. It was great from a "Look, I have the latest technology" standpoint. But it wasn't really a great computer - I know; I had one.
Click to expand...

No that's not the same. Even if the RMBP is 3 years old it still displays in a higher resolution. It's on a higher evolutionary scale than the standard displays. Not only is it hiRez but it's IPS as well.

If someone needs the older MBP that's fine but in two years few on the used market are going to value a non Retina based Mac.
 
Here's a candid assessment from one (otherwise satisfied) customer that raises the same concerns I have:

Very few apps are optimized for the retina displays. Barely any websites. Be prepared to see a lot of pixelating for non-Apple apps/sites. Some apps that are "optimized" still lack icons that need to be pixel doubled. Also, there are some OS icons that are still not retina optimized. I suspect Apple will take care of all those with Mnt Lion next month. Photoshop doesn't look great. Very pixelated. We'll have to wait until they release their update later this year!

You really have to access how you use your computer. I spend majority of my time on the browser. Occasionally use Photoshop and a few third party software. 99.9% of the apps and websites are not retina optimized. That means, for me, most of the joy of owning a retina display is taken from me. It's just terrible to see some nice high res parts and some nasty parts on the screen. It's kind of like a beautiful painting with stains here and there. And if you're an obsessive person with an eye for detail, like me, this can really start to piss you off. Unless you plan on spending majority of your time in Final Cut or Apature or any other Apple retina optimized app you use to make a living, then you will love this thing.

++++++++++++

The content output is the same between the two machines. That means the same amount of data the display is outputting is hitting your eyes. The only difference is that the Pro has quality looks 4x better because there are 4x more pixels. It's best to always be left on "Retina optimal" display setting because if you do make it bigger (higher resolution) things start becoming a little more blurry. It looses it's sharpness. Honestly I don't think anyone will change the optimal retina display setting. One is too big and the other is too small.

++++++++++++

This may seem unbelievable but the Air is more responsive and fluid than the Pro. When playing with the rubber scrolling on content heavy pages, the bounce effect is a little clunky on the Pro. This also applies to scrolling up/down/diagonally across large images in the browser or Preview or iPhoto. The motion also seems to be faster on the Air than on the Pro. I suspect it has to do with the super pixel dense display. There are lots of pixels that need to receive the signals...
Click to expand...

The guy seems to be very happy with the RMBP overall, and I don't mean to suggest he's regretting his purchase. He says elsewhere that when the content is right, the display is awesome. The problem, though, is that much of the content out there now isn't right.

Full thread here: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1389237/
 
eba said:
Here's a candid assessment from one (otherwise satisfied) customer that raises the same concerns I have:



The guy seems to be very happy with the RMBP overall, and I don't mean to suggest he's regretting his purchase. He says elsewhere that when the content is right, the display is awesome. The problem, though, is that much of the content out there now isn't right.

Full thread here: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1389237/
Click to expand...

Pro-tip:
1. Assess the apps you use on a daily basis for retina compatibility
2. If enough of your apps support it or will support it in a reasonable amount of time and you want one, go for it. If not, wait it out with what you have or buy the regular ol' MBP.

In fact, I think the post you quoted says you should ASSESS your usage. No one can answer this question for you, however this does not in anyway indicate that Retina is a gimmick.
 
calderone said:
Yes it is ridiculous. Or let me rephrase, it is ridiculous to externalize this question. You know the pro and you know the cons. Tossing up flamebait thread titles is just begging for attention.
Click to expand...

Just asking for folks to give their views on the pros and cons. As you can see from my original post, I really want to make the case for buying one. Heck, I bought the original MBA, so I'll generally buy just about anything. The problem is, I'm just not seeing it. And, frankly, no one else is making a very strong case for it, either - which surprises me.

And, yes, I am flattered that you noticed me. Thanks.
 
eba said:
Just asking for folks to give their views on the pros and cons. As you can see from my original post, I really want to make the case for buying one. Heck, I bought the original MBA, so I'll generally buy just about anything. The problem is, I'm just not seeing it. And, frankly, no one else is making a very strong case for it, either - which surprises me.

And, yes, I am flattered that you noticed me. Thanks.
Click to expand...

No one gives a crap.
 
calderone said:
No one gives a crap.
Click to expand...

Perhaps not. But I suspect there are a few folks on the fence, who are wondering if the RD really will make that much difference in the real world. The discussion might help. Certainly can't hurt.

Your earlier point certainly is correct: It is important to assess how you will use the computer. But it's also important to understand exactly how the computer will perform in those uses. And peoples' experience can help shed light on that.
 
eba said:
Perhaps not. But I suspect there are a few folks on the fence, who are wondering if the RD really will make that much difference in the real world. The discussion might help. Certainly can't hurt.

Your earlier point certainly is correct: It is important to assess how you will use the computer. But it's also important to understand exactly how the computer will perform in those uses. And peoples' experience can help shed light on that.
Click to expand...

My main issue with your thread is the use of language clearly crafted to get people riled up. There was no need to call it a gimmick, in fact the subject is quite nonsensical.

You could have set off on the same discussion without resorting to a flamebait thread subject.
 
calderone said:
My main issue with your thread is the use of language clearly crafted to get people riled up. There was no need to call it a gimmick, in fact the subject is quite nonsensical.

You could have set off on the same discussion without resorting to a flamebait thread subject.
Click to expand...

As I said earlier, "gimmick" may be too strong a word. But I do think the question of whether - at the current time - the RD is more hoopla than delivery is a fair question. Sorry if that offends you.
 
eba said:
As I said earlier, "gimmick" may be too strong a word. But I do think the question of whether - at the current time - the RD is more hoopla than delivery is a fair question. Sorry if that offends you.
Click to expand...

There are two different senses in which we should consider whether the RD delivering:

1. Pushing technology forward in a meaningful and useful way
2. Giving purchasers value from day one

In favor of 1, the iPad and iPhone have shown the demand for retina is there. More abstractly, display technology has been rather flat and no one seemed to want to make a move to higher res more pixel dense displays. Apple is doing that which will at the very least provide a better user experience (some realized today and some later).

Number 2 is a personal decision. It provides value for YOU today or it doesn't.

In summary, the RD is delivering on its promise: more pixel density (fact) which in turn provides a more rich experience (inferred from iPhone and iPad experiences). Whether or not you as a user can fully partake in this experience is another matter and should be considered separately.

The point here is to unpack statements such as: "Is the RD is more hoopla than delivery?"
 
The retina display is stunning. The icons are so sharp they look like the are painted on the screen. Text in the apps supporting the display like Safari is amazing.

I LOVE reading on this screen. I can't imagine going back to a lower pixel density.

Can understand there may be some graphic professionals with specific concerns keeping them away from the rMBP but for the rest of us...it's just gorgeous. 3rd party apps will catch up.
 
I really didn't think I wanted one at first, and then I went to the Apple store this weekend to get a look at one firsthand. The screen is awesome! I started messing around w/ Aperture and was sold. Now to find $4000 to get the one I want to build!
 
Feature for sure. Saw them in person this weekend and was very impressed. Like Kavier, I messed with Aperture and was sold as well. I don't need one so it was a no-buy for me but I was indeed impressed.
 
They should have just made the display 1920x1200. The only reason why they did this retina thing to begin with is because their mobile os can't scale properly to other resolutions.
 
My RMBP lands tomorrow. I want to see if what people are mistaking as "muddier text than before" actually look just like their non rMBP counterpart, but when you are able to easily compare HiDPI text vs normal text on the same screen, it just LOOKS worse.
 
So I went by my local Apple store on the way home to take another look.

For web surfing, the screen is indeed amazing.

Then I opened a document in Pages. The text there was really bad. Like my old Apple Quadra bad. Especially at the standard 1440x900 resolution. Upping the resolution helps, but only if you don't increase the zoom beyond 100% in your document (which kinda defeats the purpose of having a big screen).

I already own another Apple device (an iPad) on which I do most of my web surfing. I need a computer to do other things. Like work. And, sadly, office apps are a big part of that. The RD just seems like a half-baked solution for that use at present.

I'm gonna wait.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back