Good for you. The OP doesn't have a laptop and is asking which is better and is asking for our opinions on what to do. Most people would agree the laptop with the larger display, better CPU/GPU and far more ports for the same price would easily be the best choice. That was my advice to him.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
rMB 12" vs rMBP 13"
- Thread starter danielwerner
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Good for you. The OP doesn't have a laptop and is asking which is better and is asking for our opinions on what to do. Most people would agree the laptop with the larger display, better CPU/GPU and far more ports for the same price would easily be the best choice. That was my advice to him.
Well that's not necessarily true. Some people don't need all those ports nor the extra power.
Right, but when you get all the extras plus the superior CPU/GPU for the same price, why wouldn't you? Just the fact you have to pay an extra $70 for an adapter to do something as simple as add photos to your $1300 Macbook from an SD card is quite ridiculous to be honest. Buy what suits your needs though.
No, that's not true. I have the rMBP 15" and I'm keeping it. That's why I'm thinking another almost as heavy rMBP 13" would be unneccessary.
That's not necessarily true either. You could just transfer all your files via cloud options like Dropbox.
Last edited:
Actually that's not true. Only the 128 GB SSD version of the MBP 13" is the same price as the 256 GB SSD version of the MB 12".
If we flip this for you, why would you get the 13" MBP when you get less storage, more heat and therefore not super-quiet computer due to fans, heavier and thicker computer when it's the same price as the 12" MB?
Also, not everyone uses SD cards for photos. There are also USB cables for cameras. There's also a lot of people taking pictures with their phone which enables them to transfer photos and videos wirelessly.
This is exactly what I don't get.
No, Hollywood producers and NASA engineers won't be using this system and heavy users of LR and PS may have a nice experience using a MacBook Pro, but these systems are scoring in the same range as the 2012 and low end 2013 models and those are still used today. No one complained that they were slow.
Unless you're gaming or working with heavy graphics I think the year-over-year 4% growth in CPU power is largely wasted. Now graphics are important and I'm somewhat concerned about the graphics capability of this system running at a scaled resolution, but for it's intended audience it isn't underpowered at all.
Because having a larger screen, superior CPU/GPU and being able to do basic things every other computer on earth can do, like charge and still have an available port without having to spend another $70 to do so, is far more important to me. I rarely use onboard storage.
I travel so much that it'd be ridiculous to carry around a bigger computer than what is needed. Which is why I'm very happy to be "downgrading" to the MacBook. I'd definitely be sticking with the rMBP if the new MacBook didn't exist though.
Because light-weight and cool, quiet running has value as well. Many if not most people don't have need for that extra cpu power as typical modern computing is bursty, not sustained. So why have a 28w part when a 5w part will do the job.
That rMBP 13 is not that much larger than the Macbook. It would be ridiculous for you to carry around a slightly larger computer but having to carry around a big, awkward dongle just to have basic functionality isn't ridiculous? Not to mention, your sleek beautiful Macbook will look silly with a huge dongle hanging out of it. Oh well, different strokes.
The MacBook is 2lbs to the MBP's 3.5. And in places, as much as five times as thick. Plus the weight of a larger and heavier power brick. Altogether nearly like carrying two Macbooks.
The dongle that will suit most people's needs weighs about an ounce, and can be left in your computer bag where it will never be noticed.
You are vastly underestimating the difference in size and weight between these two computers.
Where do you see five times as thick? Im looking at the specs now. The rMBP 13 is about an inch wider and an inch more depth. I see nowhere where its even close to five times as thick as the Macbook. Of course the dongle can stay in a bag but thats not where it will stay for long as you will need it for almost everything you do aside from charging it overnight. As I said, the sleek Macbook won't look so pretty with a foot long, multiple headed monstrosity hanging off the side of it. If you have the Macbook on your lap, where are you putting the dongle? Drape it over your legs? Real comfortable and stylish haha
As you see dexterbell, not everyone's needs are the same as yours. You value power, ports and larger screen. Others value lightness, fanless, don't need ports as often as you, don't need as much power as you and don't mind the smaller screen, in fact they might even prefer it.
"As I said, the sleek Macbook won't look so pretty with a foot long, multiple headed monstrosity hanging off the side of it. If you have the Macbook on your lap, where are you putting the dongle? Drape it over your legs? Real comfortable and stylish haha"
You assume people have that much needs for the ports. If they don't need ports so often, they won't need the dongle.
I don't see the problem..
You're basically arguing that everyone should get what YOU need. If I need a large pickup-truck, does that mean that that kind of car suits everyone? Why would you NOT want a big powerful truck that can pack tons of stuff?! It's basically the same as your "Why wouldn't you want more power, larger screen and better GPU".
We get it, you like the MBP 13". Now you get it, people will like the MB 12" and your continuous ranting won't change their needs nor their minds.
What happens when you need to charge your Macbook but you also need a free port for something else? Oops. Its going to be interesting to see how many people who think they can live without basic things every, single laptop has like multiple ports do once they only have one.
And you arguing the same but from a different prospective. It works vice versa as well. You look at the same river but from different banks.
A different opinion is not ranting. It is simply a divergent viewpoint.
Re ports
I have had my MacBook air since 2012, and since using Dropbox haven't plugged a single usb cable into it. All my printing and storage is done wirelessly and in the cloud.
So you are creating problems that just don't apply to me, and I suspect to a lot more people than you imagine.
If I get the MacBook, I won't even by buying a dongle. How about that then?
I have had my MacBook air since 2012, and since using Dropbox haven't plugged a single usb cable into it. All my printing and storage is done wirelessly and in the cloud.
So you are creating problems that just don't apply to me, and I suspect to a lot more people than you imagine.
If I get the MacBook, I won't even by buying a dongle. How about that then?
Ever since they announced this thing (Macbook) i think people have become more "settling" than ever. Apple people are starving for something new. You are honestly going to tell me that buying a computer that has HALF the ability and power as a computer with one more inch of real estate and a pound and a half of weight for pretty much the same price is a good idea? Apple CLEARLY has presented itself as the greatest salesmen in history with this one. I had a better camera on my $399 toshiba that i bought only to get through a class then was tossed.
i agree with everything you've said except for one part..... nobody is buying the $1300 version they will all get the $1500 version. Apple has built the ability to sale less for more shoving it in our faces and some are STILL buying.
"Half the ability and power"? How do you even come up with this nonsense? Yes U-series Broadwell benchmarks a bit higer than CoreM, but it's nowhere near "double".
In any case, I dont care about benchmarks. I have been a Macboor Air user since first gen, and I love portability more than a few extra USB ports or meaningless Geekbench specs. So yeah - that extra 1.5lbs of weight and added bulk is significant to me.
Why is this so hard for people to understand that not everyone has the same needs and priorities as them?
I've had my MBA for more than 2 years. In all that time, I've used ONE USB port, ONCE. When I did a backup before upgrading to Yosemite. And I did it without charging the MBA at the same time, so...
I do agree the thing should have another port, to allow for independent charging, because a lot of people use peripherals (if only a mouse). But not everybody does.
With mind power. Or wind power, by blowing into it ?
Or maybe just with the power cord and charger that come with it, but it's not as much fun.
This.
Why not just have an iPad then? Half the price. You are spending twice the money for a keyboard?