Retina MacBook Pro Pushes the Limits of its Graphics Capabilities

[50548]

So let me get this straight...Apple releases a product that doesn't work right as advertised/promised and expects its customers to upgrade the OS months down the road in order to (supposedly) perform the way it was supposed to perform in the first place. Mmmmmm, sorry...that's either misleading advertising or if it's a bug, Apple should claim it a bug and address it.

With the passing of SJ, it's clear that Apple no longer has the long-term vision to REALLY innovate. Every product launch in Cook's era is just an incremental update of existing things, rMBP included (i.e., a crippled retina display and nothing else new).

Time to sell your Apple shares, because the company will be moribund in less than two years...you reat it here first.

 

[Ryox]

Hardware just isn't easy for the rMBP's resolution. I dont think 2nd revision will be good enough, will Nvidia be able to produce chips fast enough to meet the resolution requirements? maybe 3rd revision we would start to catch up?
Maybe we need quad core graphics like the iPad?

 

[wizard]

You just need to filter the fabrications, half truths and distortions.

Yikes...Apple's getting a LOT of bad PR on the new, ultra expensive laptop.

Most of it is garbage.

Releasing a product that can't even do what it is touted/flaunted by the CEO of the company is just bad. Not to mention you have to wait 6+ weeks for delivery which is an eternity in the technology and computer worlds.

It does exactly what it is claimed to do. Where did you get this non sense?

Apple likely should have beefed the system up even more and cut Apple's profits by a few percentage points in order to be the first Retina laptop in the world...rather than try to build seemingly the bare minimum to get the technical hurdles done.

you don't know what you are talking about.

I know the tech specs and equations for # pixels, resolution, and all that fun stuff...but it makes you wonder, as a consumer, how Apple can achieve Retina on a $499 10" screen but not a $2200+ 15" screen.

Can you not read for content? The machine is fine at its native Retina resolution, it is when doing other resolutions that the system needs to work harder.

 

[Fortimir]

Blizzard makes games that are benchmark worthy?

Starcraft 2 is fantastic for benchmarking the CPU. Diablo 3 is a good mid-level benchmark. But it's certainly no Crysis 2, ArmA II, or Metro 2033...

 

[Aco Strkalj]

Told ya.

 

[bdavis89]

I NEED a dedicated GPU also. I'm not sure. I may try using my current laptop or maybe my ipad 3 and just bring my desktop to college. I really wanted to leave it at home though.

I know right? First world problems.

 

[IPlayFair]

This is why I feel like waiting for the 2nd revision really is a good idea.

YouTube review videos aren't showing these concerns. Remember, you have 14 days to use it and then return it if you are not satisfied.

 

[deannnnn]

Don't regret my purchase. Not even a little bit.

 

[Fortimir]

With the passing of SJ, it's clear that Apple no longer has the long-term vision to REALLY innovate.

Wut? Shoving a desktop computing experience with the finest computer screen on earth into a near-ultrabook... all while doing it elegantly is bad vision... how?

What would be "innovation" to you?

 

[Eidorian]

I think Anandtech missed the point on the article.

Apple has ALWAYS been pushing the limits of their hardware. I think that's what makes Apple so innovative.
We wouldn't have the technology we have today if it wasn't for software pushing the limits of hardware.

Fortunately, Apple's latest invention will once again make other manufacturers take note and we are one full step closer to making those images on our screen seem even more life like.

Way to go Apple! Keep pushing the limits!

Thinner and unable to push the display smoothly? Apple has months to design these things. The display panel is one thing but nVidia gives OEMs months to play with new GPUs for a design. Apple stuck with the midrange GT 650M. We also have claims that Mountain Lion is better on the Retina Macbook Pro. Higher end Kepler GPUs is just now trickling into the market and Mountain Lion if those claims are true. Why release this today?

We have known about Apple's fetish for anorexic computers but they have to draw the line somewhere. It feels like MacBook Air release 1.0 v. 2.0.

But it's so thin!

You're planning on carrying around a device larger than the laptop? No, I didn't think so.

I amazes me how many people just don't understand what the TB port is. The TB port is a 4-lane PCIe path, at best. Graphics cards are 16 lane. So unless you are planning on only utilizing 25% of the bandwidth, this is a failure. This is also why a Retina external monitor is likely going to come with stickers "for direct connection to the computer only" Go take a look at benchmarks where the benchmark user saturates the TB bus and has the monitor running at maximum resolution.

You are in for a surprise at x4 2.0. Even with a little overhead.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Intel/Ivy_Bridge_PCI-Express_Scaling/

 

[ericinboston]

With the passing of SJ, it's clear that Apple no longer has the long-term vision to REALLY innovate....

Well I'm no fanboy but your comment is beginning to hit home....for almost a year now we've been hearing 2 main rumors:

1)right before SJ died he stated he finally "cracked" the tv problem.

2)Apple folks since Nov 2011 have been talking about the next greatest super secret thing that Apple will release....I still hear the crickets.


My guess is their will be some kind of tv thing...not sure how that will impact/replace all the Apple TV lovers out there...or the folks that already own beautiful 50" tvs that they can't/won't simply toss in the trash.

I secretly think #1 is just a joke that SJ pulled...when I'm near my deathbed, maybe I'll say something like "I finally figured out who killed JFK...it was <last breath>"



Overall I think we'll see what Apple introduces to consumers before end of 2013...if it's just the same old iOS upgrade stuff (ipods, ipads, iphones) and some Mac updates, Apple can only ride that train so far (as I've stated a lot). Great products right now, but it's getting old and soon there won't be anyone to sell to since anyone who wants one already has one (like an iPod that's been around for 10 years).

 

[CapnJackGig]

I'd like to say thanks to all the guinea pigs that paid huge money to test this computer out for Apple.

 

[prfrma]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qnw0Shqt8sU

 

[Fortimir]

Huh? They reported news about a reputable testing site and picked out probably the only area where the RMBP is less than stellar.

It couldn't possibly be spotty FB coding . . . . .

THIS. I took a lot of flack for saying this exact thing. A lot of people here commenting about the article without reading it based on the MacRumors commentary.

 

[2IS]

Haswell can't come soon enough!

 

[nxent]

Hmm... This is a little bit frustrating. I NEED a laptop for college this year (current is a 08 MBP on its last legs). I'm most likely going for the MBPR simply because it's barely cheaper to get the MBP with the specs I want. Frustrating knowing Apple decided to ship with hardware that isn't ready./sigh.

interesting. my mbp08 is still running like a champ, though i did just upgrade the hd to a T. once you actually play around with the rmbp in the apple store, you'll find it's quite usable and the differences aren't that noticeable.

 

[theOtherGeoff]

My thoughts from another thread on this very issue

I think this was all about getting the HW out there in a steady stream... we're talking probably 1000 units a day sales (300K a year), why delay the hardware that is amazingly sweet, when the OS that adds the butter (caramel? ;-)

Between that and college back to school sales (my son is looking at this... his 15" 2006 Core DuoMBP has a dead fan (or thermostat)), it makes sense.

Apple devices sell when you 'see them' Getting them sold now leverages 'wow, look at that screen' sales references.

Remember... MOST people don't push HW like people like us (you... I'm looking at a 13" MBA to replace my 2009 MacBook Uni... If I need power, I carve out a VM on my frame;-), so they won't see the artifacts at the highest resolutions like we do... especially for 2-3 weeks.

 

[Ozy]

I know reviews are good, but I am glad I bought one. All this talk may have had me worried, and honestly, if no one wrote anything about this, I would never have noticed it. This screen is jaw dropping and a pure joy to use at any resolution.

This last week with this machine has really excited me about the future of HiDPI on every platform. This really is a game changer, again with Apple at the forefront to motivate the industry.

 

[swagi]

It sound likes the product was rushed a little bit... but looking back first revision Apple products are always like a beta. Remember the first revision Intel MBP?

Oh - the oh so famous "whining issue". I remember that one

The wisdom of being victim to some flaky PITA issues when striving to early adopting Apple products should be in your buying decision 101s.

But sometimes the urge of a new product is so groundshaking that you accept it - like with the first iPhone. It was technically not even close to its competitors but I haven't had any regret using one.

Those Rev A Intel iMacs - gee, don't get me started.

Yet I still feel the urge to get this RevA rMBP - but I'm not in desperate need for a new laptop and will definitely wait for RevB. But this one will be ordered Day1

 

[wizard]

This is exactly what I'm talking about!

Huh? They reported news about a reputable testing site and picked out probably the only area where the RMBP is less than stellar.

Exactly, they picked out the most negative part of the article and carefully reworked it into an article that attacks the performance of the rMBP.

Mountain Lion is not today tech, so your comment is silly. Twice.

It isn't silly when you have everbody and their brother booming the GPU hardware. Blaming the GPU hardware is kinda bogus anyways because the CPU is a factor too.

That was definitely page one news for two reasons. The latest performance news on the newest poster child for Apple going forward. Honest reporting about its limitations. Hmmm FB at 20fps instead of 50fps. Shocking!

It isn't even honest as to much in the article was glossed over or apparently misunderstood.

It couldn't possibly be spotty FB coding . . . . .

Rocketman

People need to read the entire Anandtech article. It better explains what is going on than this piece. The web site viewed does play a significant part in the experience.

 

[Fortimir]

Thinner and unable to push the display smoothly? Apple has months to design these things. The display panel is one thing but nVidia gives OEMs months to play with new GPUs for a design. Apple stuck with the midrange GT 650M.

Web scrolling is CPU (and one core, at that), not GPU. Chalk that up to a combination of bad coding (Facebook, cough) and the limitations of the sheer number of pixels with current browser tech.

The 650M in the retina is also, jokingly, referred to as the 660M since it is tweaked and overclocked out of the box. They didn't go to a 680 because it's an energy-sucking furnace.

 

[GorgonPhone]

I'm not surprised. In the notebook market the 650m is considered a mid-range card. I'm somewhat disappointed they didn't outfit it with a more higher end GPU, especially with the price they charge.

apple always goes with lower specs and ram they should .. they did the same with ipad 3... but some devs are figuring it out as seen in the new game dead trigger that is the pest looking retina game so far..

 

[50548]

Well I'm no fanboy but your comment is beginning to hit home....for almost a year now we've been hearing 2 main rumors:

1)right before SJ died he stated he finally "cracked" the tv problem.

2)Apple folks since Nov 2011 have been talking about the next greatest super secret thing that Apple will release....I still hear the crickets.


My guess is their will be some kind of tv thing...not sure how that will impact/replace all the Apple TV lovers out there...or the folks that already own beautiful 50" tvs that they can't/won't simply toss in the trash.

I secretly think #1 is just a joke that SJ pulled...when I'm near my deathbed, maybe I'll say something like "I finally figured out who killed JFK...it was <last breath>"



Overall I think we'll see what Apple introduces to consumers before end of 2013...if it's just the same old iOS upgrade stuff (ipods, ipads, iphones) and some Mac updates, Apple can only ride that train so far (as I've stated a lot). Great products right now, but it's getting old and soon there won't be anyone to sell to since anyone who wants one already has one (like an iPod that's been around for 10 years).

Indeed. And I believe that SJ's comment was more related to Apple TV's future interaction with existing screens, NOT about a huge screen launched by Apple itself.

People can't forget that it's MUCH harder to replace your TV, especially a large one. So NO ONE will be changing 50" screens every year, forget about it.

Bottom line: Cook is a GREAT executor and supply-chain manager, but a MISERABLE innovator. Sell your shares while you still can, I am telling ya...Apple stock is gonna tank to the 50s in no time - it's Sculley era all over again - dividends, less secrecy, increments instead of major leaps.

APPLE IS DEAD.

 

[AbSoluTc]

However there are enough people running Mountain Lion right now that one can say it will make a big difference.

In any event what people need to realize is that it could be a couple of years before significantly faster hardware can be had.

Mountain Lion won't fix the problems. Only mask them.

 

[Fortimir]

It isn't silly when you have everbody and their brother booming the GPU hardware. Blaming the GPU hardware is kinda bogus anyways because the CPU is a factor too.

The browser rendering is entirely a single core on the CPU. Blame the high resolution, current browser technology, and shoddy/bloated coding of many sites.

----------

Mountain Lion won't fix the problems. Only mask them.

What does this even mean?