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Returning my rMB, don't like it enough to keep it.
- Thread starter enduser99
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Also not trying to change your mind, and am right there with you on battery life [must have my screen brightness up higher than their test]
But I have observed that, even if the battery drops faster than anticipated, it recharges really quick..at least from what I'm used to. Went from 60ish% to 100% in rough guess 20 min [I wasn't timing it]
But I have observed that, even if the battery drops faster than anticipated, it recharges really quick..at least from what I'm used to. Went from 60ish% to 100% in rough guess 20 min [I wasn't timing it]
Uh, because they didn't stop to read the specs? Since when are date and price the criteria for whether something will do a job better than something else? Does that mean I can expect that buying a Tesla is an upgrade that is a suitable replacement for my old Jeep Cherokee for plowing snow?
A computer can be more expensive for many reasons, not simply compute performance. In the case of the rMB (and indeed, long ago when Sony produced some of their higher-end ultraportable VAIOs), the focus is on extreme portability and minimalism. What you're paying for is the miniaturization tech.
definitely driver related. There is no reason at all that the rMBP cannot drive OSX. If you turn on reduced transparency, that actually removes the lag.
Doing that effectively removes the lag on the rMBP, but it does not remove the lag on the rMB.
I took my new 2014 base MBA 11" from best buy for $720 to the apple store and put it side by side with the base mb. No comparison. The mb size and slimness can't be beat, and I really like the kB, but for $500 plus, it's nuts. When it retails for $999 plus discounts and a better port situation i'll seriously consider it.
I think.... if they incorporate a 14" version into V2 that will probably start at $1300 & they will bump the 12" down to $999 roughly. Maybe V3 this could happen too.
Most if not all current Mac notebooks and desktops have 2 different screen sizes. It's only a matter of time. Right now you are paying a bit extra for the engineering behind it and it's a new product, nothing new with Apple like the MBA 1.
But yes it's a beautiful machine for most.
There's something to be said for a "test drive", but "try before you buy" wasn't feasible considering that Apple Stores generally didn't have these in stock or HAVE a demo model that folks could take for a little spin. Not to mention that many people don't have an Apple Store within 50+ miles of them even if the stores *did* have them in stock and available to try with a demo.
And sometimes, you can flag a potential issue but not be sure it's a showstopper until you can actually try it.
Back in the day, one could only get dual-core CPUs in a laptop, so that was what I had to use for my virtual-machine-intensive workflow. Now I've graduated to a high-end rMBP with a four core i7, and it would be painful to go back... especially to a core-M-based architecture, which seems optimized for bursty operation for energy efficiency.
So OP's complaint of lagginess when using Parallels is not surprising. Would he run Parallels on a netbook? I've tried that, and it's not a fun experience. And that's what the rMB is: a glorious, featherweight, professional-class netbook. There's nothing pejorative about that statement-- one might regard it as a netbook done right, a netbook you can own and use without shame or regret. But it's not the most appropriate platform for running a VM.
Similarly, OP's use of Chrome guarantees a 30% battery-life hit. Inappropriate.
My impression: OP's usage-case is like using a Prius as a snowplow.
So OP's complaint of lagginess when using Parallels is not surprising. Would he run Parallels on a netbook? I've tried that, and it's not a fun experience. And that's what the rMB is: a glorious, featherweight, professional-class netbook. There's nothing pejorative about that statement-- one might regard it as a netbook done right, a netbook you can own and use without shame or regret. But it's not the most appropriate platform for running a VM.
Similarly, OP's use of Chrome guarantees a 30% battery-life hit. Inappropriate.
My impression: OP's usage-case is like using a Prius as a snowplow.
Bit of a long shot, but have you tried this? My (migrated) rMBP was a laggy mess, but this (plus disabling transparency) fixed it. Well, fixed it as much as it can be fixed, anyway.
https://david.gyttja.com/2013/01/21/fix-lagging-display-performance-on-retina-macbook-pro/
You also have to consider SSD and RAM. The base MBAs ship with 4GB /128GB. Bump them up to 8/256 and pricing becomes comparable, even leaving aside the display. Personally, I think 128GB is a little tight but it depends on your needs. I expect that there will be a 4/128 rMB version in the future with the price point adjusted accordingly.
Exactly, and for some reason people keep thinking I'm coming from a Pro model. No, this is a 2012 AIR. I think after 3 years, it is reasonable to expect at least as good performance.
And by the way, to those who harp about the portability virtues, etc. Yes, of course, these are great benefits of the rMP. I don't need to repeat the 1000's of times over that people already know why it is a cool product. I travel 125,000 miles a year, the lighter weight and size are awesome over my Air.
not for me either
hi
i went into the mac store to see the watches but also take a look at the new macbook as well.
note: my own machine is an early 2014 macbook air. core i7. 500GB SSD. 8GB RAM. 13.3 inch screen.
new macbook: the travel in the keys (or, rather lack of it) would take me too long to get used to. i thought the new retina would blow me away to entice me to buy it, but it didn't. 1 port only machine: i really don't want to use dongles all the time or unplug something to use the other.
its great to see that apple did update the macbook airs, they are fast enough and light enough to carry around all day. also: the 13.3 inch has the sdxc card slot for extra storage / backup.
hi
i went into the mac store to see the watches but also take a look at the new macbook as well.
note: my own machine is an early 2014 macbook air. core i7. 500GB SSD. 8GB RAM. 13.3 inch screen.
new macbook: the travel in the keys (or, rather lack of it) would take me too long to get used to. i thought the new retina would blow me away to entice me to buy it, but it didn't. 1 port only machine: i really don't want to use dongles all the time or unplug something to use the other.
its great to see that apple did update the macbook airs, they are fast enough and light enough to carry around all day. also: the 13.3 inch has the sdxc card slot for extra storage / backup.
Yes, it is much better with reduced transparency on with the rMBP. It did not help the rMB at all though.
This is, to me, probably the greatest dealbreaker. If there were reasonably priced products that would plug into the one port and fan out into enough display, USB, FW/Thunderbolt and other ports so we'd only have to plug and unplug ONE port to hook up the rMB to external displays, keyboards, mice and storage, it wouldn't be a big deal; it would effectively function as a docking station. And maybe there will be, eventually.
But then again, people who would want their laptop to be able to double as a solid desktop machine are not the target market for this product, and IMO the specs make that obvious.
It just really needs to be on the market NOW! Waiting 4-6 weeks is a deal breaker for a lot of people.
The disconnect in logic I see going on here is the expectation that the rMB is a direct substitute for the rMBP and gaining the simplicity and design.
The reality is this device is nothing more than an alternative delivery vehicle that should be added to a family instead of a replacement. (i.e. a student who has a 15" rMBP or iMAC at home, and takes the rMB to class, or to work).
Even THEN, this could still be more credit than deserved as some people demands especially in the work force would supersede what this thing has to offer.
The reality is this device is nothing more than an alternative delivery vehicle that should be added to a family instead of a replacement. (i.e. a student who has a 15" rMBP or iMAC at home, and takes the rMB to class, or to work).
Even THEN, this could still be more credit than deserved as some people demands especially in the work force would supersede what this thing has to offer.
it was a general statement more focus on the fact this is an ALTERNATIVE delivery vehicle not a REPLACEMENT.
I have talked the most crap about this rMB on all of these boards, the fact is I would buy one to mate with my maxed out Mid-14 15" rMBP. I lug my 15" rMBP around campus, if I wanted to spend the $1300, it would be on the rMB so that I could leave the 15" rMBP at home. All the while utilizing the means of the rMB (cloud based etc.) and seamlessly transferring files via airdrop/dropbox etc. when I returned from school, work etc
Thats how I see this thing, and I would like to think thats a VERY accurate and practical explanation.
I feel bad for anyone trying to talk themselves into replacing their rMBP for this thing, just so at the end of the day you can stare at its aesthetics and smile.
Wait until the honeymoon stage is over and you look at it one night and go "i miss my rMBP".
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Go home and take your old computer with you
Not everyone is going to be happy with it as each person has different computing requirements. Maybe there are faster models (that are not as slim & light) that will be better.
It's not meant to replace other faster models, but it does have a place for those who will use it as intended and can afford to buy it.
If it doesn't fit your needs or your budget, don't buy it.
Personally, I absolutely love it and think it is quite an engineering marvel.
Not everyone is going to be happy with it as each person has different computing requirements. Maybe there are faster models (that are not as slim & light) that will be better.
It's not meant to replace other faster models, but it does have a place for those who will use it as intended and can afford to buy it.
If it doesn't fit your needs or your budget, don't buy it.
Personally, I absolutely love it and think it is quite an engineering marvel.
This is a very good point. I think the reason a lot of people, myself included, compare it to the pro is it is the same price.
Sounds like your reasons to return it are perfectly reasonable. This model in particular has compromises, and it also has a lot of benefits that may or may not outweigh the compromises. It isn't a surprise that it's a bit polarizing compared to other models in their lineup.
So, Apple expects a customer to buy a pig in a poke because there is always someone willing to apologize and justify and berate a customer who is not happy with DOA.
Check the share price lately?