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who would want to?

Lots of people need to run 3 external displays. e.g.: financial analysts, CAD engineers, and any truly serious web developer. And, in fact, my grandma was just asking about this the other day!
 
This is probably why Apple feel the Mac Pro didn't need a major revamp. Previously if you wanted more than 2 displays, you had to go with a Mac Pro, then buy extra graphics cards. Having a third monitor is HUGELY productive for programmers, and a lot of them (myself included) will now look at the RetinaBook as a good replacement for ageing Pro towers.

I myself will be buying one in a couple of months to replace both a Mac Pro (2009 model, bought in 2010) and a (2011) MacBook Air.
 
Adding three extra displays, including two ACDs, increased the number of pixels powered by the rMBP by 6%. ;)

Or 202%.

Retina Display 2880*1800 = 5,184,000 pixels
iMac as Display 2560*1600 = 4,096,000 pixels
iMac as Display 2560*1600 = 4,096,000 pixels
HDMI Display 1920*1200 = 2,304,000 pixels

This totals to 15,680,000 pixels. In other words, the rMBP is pushing out 302% compared to it's native resolution or an extra 202% more pixels on top of the retina display. All kidding aside, that is pretty damn impressive.
 
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This is probably why Apple feel the Mac Pro didn't need a major revamp. Previously if you wanted more than 2 displays, you had to go with a Mac Pro, then buy extra graphics cards. Having a third monitor is HUGELY productive for programmers, and a lot of them (myself included) will now look at the RetinaBook as a good replacement for ageing Pro towers.

I myself will be buying one in a couple of months to replace both a Mac Pro (2009 model, bought in 2010) and a (2011) MacBook Air.

Not when you think about the video editors who rely on the PCI-E interface and the extra three internal storage spaces.
 
Wow just unbelievable power and performance from these new MacBook Pros. No Windows laptop has such incredible capabilities. These amazing new MacBooks truly are worthy of the Pro name.

seriously? lol spec - wise (read : performance) there are certainly superior windows laptops, aside from the screen itself. Apple's advantage has always been battery life, not raw power.

My only wish from apple is higher end video cards. Great you can run 4 screens, what about 3d applications?
 
Wow that is crazy. Please make a 13" version Apple!

13" Retina Display (2560x1600, with scaling modes like the new MBP)
Discrete graphics chip (something lesser than the 15" to save power)
6 hours battery life (Due to smaller battery size from the smaller casing)

Starting at $1499.

Either that, or stick an IPS panel in the MBA's.
 
Lots of people need to run 3 external displays. e.g.: financial analysts, CAD engineers, and any truly serious web developer. And, in fact, my grandma was just asking about this the other day!

Can you define a "truly serious web developer" ?

I believe there are many "serious web developers" developing on 13" notebook screens just fine.

I run two displays at work, but any more and it would be a little overwhelming. Then again I'm not watching the stock market. I also know plenty of companies running websites etc. without the need for three monitors.
 
It would be handy to see a simplified how-to for folks with each grade of MacBook.

Ie, MacBook Air or 13" MBP you can hook 3 HD displays using XYZ wires. I would simply like to have one display be oriented vertically for web browsing. I for one would use the extra screen real estate for financial research or CAD stuff.

Being able to do it on a Book brings back the dock or go meme.

Rocketman
 
Older display

I have a 23 inch cinema display with converter to run off my MB pro 17 inch. Will I be able to drive this display from a new MBPro?
 
I couldn't find anyone in this thread who addresses the important question: when an application goes "full screen" does it take up all four screens or only one of the screens? I confess, I want to play WoW on a multi-screen.

Shh...

People who ask that question might end up joining the (30 pages of) unhappy users here...
:(
 
Or 202%.

Retina Display 2880*1800 = 5,184,000 pixels
iMac as Display 2560*1600 = 4,096,000 pixels
iMac as Display 2560*1600 = 4,096,000 pixels
HDMI Display 1920*1200 = 2,304,000 pixels

This totals to 15,680,000 pixels. In other words, the rMBP is pushing out 302% compared to it's native resolution or an extra 202% more pixels on top of the retina display. All kidding aside, that is pretty damn impressive.

Math fail... :rolleyes:
 
Thunderbolt is a step backwards. It does not support DisplayPort 1.2
Agreed. I'm still ticked off that I can't use my 2011 iMac as a screen for my Xbox... or even my Macbook.
Not to mention the severe lack of peripherals supporting the port and the outrageous expense of the cord itself... *grumble, grumble*
 
The new Airs finally can run Two external displays simultaneously as well!!

I have a new air on order. Could anyone please explain how to do this. The lady at the apple store said that it could not be done, but she did not seem very knowledgeable on a number of items. I am fairly new to Macs and I appreciate anyone's advice.
 
Between this kind of capability and being able to rig the MBPr into native resolution, I think my mind is made up. While Windows machines are usually more powerful for the money, the thin form factor and OS are what wins me over. The MBPr is better specced then my full tower gaming PC (2.5 Ghz i7, 4GB RAM, Radion 5770), and that PC already runs all my games at max details.
 
That's incredible. So much power in such a thin computer.

lol. You can get a Windows 7 laptop for half the damn price of that $2800 Macbook, and yet the Windows 7 one will still destroy the Mac in power. What a joke with Apple's pricing. But the sheep will be sure to eat it up as always...
 
who would want to?

Film Composer, Filmmakers.

When I run Logic Pro (music software) 1 monitor runs the movie I'm scoring. Another monitor runs the mixer window and a third monitor runs the arrangement window.

I would LOVE a 4th monitor to just view open plug-ins.

that's how the PRO / content community rolls ;-)
 
Impressive! Though do you have to use both Thunderbolt ports, or could you not simply use one and daisy-chain the second Thunderbolt display off of the first one?
 
Math fail... :rolleyes:

Really smartguy?

The retina display powers 5,184,000 pixels. The max it can put out is 15,680,000 pixels. Or, it can put out an additional 10,496,000 pixels beyond the retina display.

10,496,000 / 5,184,000 = 202%. It can put out 202% more pixels. Just like I said.
 
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Other World Computing posted this picture on their blog showing a MacBook Pro with Retina Display hooked up to a pair of iMacs serving as Thunderbolt displays and a third monitor via HDMI. This setup powers four screens with a total of 15,680,000 pixels.

The writer of the post, OWC Mike, seemed impressed with the performance of the MacBook Pro:
Apple officially supports hooking three monitors into the Retina MacBook Pro, noting in the Thunderbolt ports FAQ in its Support Knowledge Base:
This makes the Retina MacBook Pro the first Mac -- other than a tower-based workstation like the Mac Pro -- to natively power four displays simultaneously.

Article Link: Retina MacBook Pro Can Run Three External Displays Simultaneously

But can it disable them without physically disconnecting them :confused:
 
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