Some thoughts on 2016 rMB, MBA, WWDC MBP

[izzyfanto]

I've covered a lot of threads the past couple days. Many helpful perspectives. But instead of trying to copy all of the quotes here, I'll just paraphrase the what I've learned and how it affects my decision on which MacBook to buy.

1. WWDC is very soon! Out of curiosity I have to wait. Seems foolhardy to pull the trigger (guess that's me), since I currently am rocking a 2012 MBA and I only have two more weeks of this semester. I can wait...even though I don't want to!
2. At the top of the list for me is portability (weight/size). So that is why I won't consider the current MBP. Which leaves me with the rMB, MBA or future MBP.
3. The reason I don't think I'll do the MBA is the screen. I just have been rocking this MBA screen for 4 years and I want(kinda need) a modern display.
4. The future MBP is probably going to be more money than I want to spend and more performance than I need, considering I don't game or edit video/pictures.
5. Which leaves me with the rMBP. The price is too high currently in my opinion. Hopefully come WWDC they'll be a price drop or a deal somewhere. (Oh well)

Other small details that helped:

1. I also really, really like the new rMB keyboard, unlike everyone else it seems...I don't understand the vehement dislike.
2. The RAM in the MBA is 1600MHz while the rMB is 1866 MHz.
3. The CPU in the 2016 rMP, as noted in benchmarks, hits extremely close to MBA i7's & MBP i5's...but only in short bursts until thermal throttling. That is fine with me as I don't need sustained power.
4. The GPU on the 2016 rMB is a nice upgrade, according to reviews and benchmarks.
5. I haven't even come close to filling my 128 GB MBA SSD, I use my 2TB Time Capsule/Airport for storage, and I also enjoy iTunes Match for my music library(I stream my music from it, no local storage), so I'm already very wireless. So I've realized ports aren't a big deal to me.
6. The SSD R/W speeds on the 2016 rMB apparently are very improved.
7. I don't remember the last time I FaceTimed. 480p camera is mute issue for me.

Finally, I just really like the rMB. The design, size, keyboard....just needs a price drop!!

 

[Emergo]

Do they really do price drops before the WWDC? Which version of the 2016 are you getting? M3?

 

[izzyfanto]

Do they really do price drops before the WWDC? Which version of the 2016 are you getting? M3?

I'm just hoping they drop the price a little upon the new MBP announcement. Also, there might be Memorial Day deals or other small incremental deals/coupons that bring it down a couple hundo.
Not sure yet on m3 or m7. From what I've read, it's a very marginal improvement. The m7 is the same chip as the m3, just a better binned one clocked higher. Hard to imagine +$225 is worth it.

 

[deeddawg]

I'm just hoping they drop the price a little upon the new MBP announcement.

Just for perspective, bear in mind that a MBA11 with 8GB ram and 256GB SSD is $1199 vs the base rMB's $1299. Bump it to 512GB SSD and you're at $1499 vs the rMB 1.2/512's $1599

I'm not saying there won't be a price drop, only cautioning not to get your hopes up. It'd be great if it happened. My guess is that the best deal to come will be a back to school promo of some sort during summer.

You'll just need to consider whether the "cost" of not having it for a period of time exceeds the anticipated savings to be achieved by waiting, factoring the risk that no real savings may happen. Tough call, there's not a one-size-fits-all answer.

 

[izzyfanto]

Just for perspective, bear in mind that a MBA11 with 8GB ram and 256GB SSD is $1199 vs the base rMB's $1299. Bump it to 512GB SSD and you're at $1499 vs the rMB 1.2/512's $1599

I'm not saying there won't be a price drop, only cautioning not to get your hopes up. It'd be great if it happened. My guess is that the best deal to come will be a back to school promo of some sort during summer.

You'll just need to consider whether the "cost" of not having it for a period of time exceeds the anticipated savings to be achieved by waiting, factoring the risk that no real savings may happen. Tough call, there's not a one-size-fits-all answer.

Great points thanks for the input

 

[where is it]

I'm just hoping they drop the price a little upon the new MBP announcement. Also, there might be Memorial Day deals or other small incremental deals/coupons that bring it down a couple hundo.
Not sure yet on m3 or m7. From what I've read, it's a very marginal improvement. The m7 is the same chip as the m3, just a better binned one clocked higher. Hard to imagine +$225 is worth it.

Your hoping for a price drop from Apple? Really? I was surprised when they drop the price on the refurbs when the new Macbooks came out on Tuesday. Price drop = Not likely to happen, unless hell is starting to feel chilly.

 

[izzyfanto]

I caved, like many, and just ordered one. Edu discount + credit card savings made it low 1200. I agree with ya'll, price drop does seem like a stretch. Oh well, not like a price drop would be that much anyways, and I would be using the MBA a lot this summer coding and writing, so I might as well enjoy the summer with the rMB knowing it's what I would order. Plus my wife needs the MBA for spreadsheets and recipes. I'm content with my decision. Thanks ya'll for the input!

 

[Serban]

Get the m5 or m7.
M5 is quicker than i5 from current MacBook Air

 

[joscejrod]

As I said in other threads, I would have wanted to know all new macbooks at same time. But it's not the case...and of course, this year apple is going to release other two new macbooks/macbook pro in two screen sizes, 13'3"-14" and 15,6"-16"(we can assume that this size is not for people insterested in 12"mb).
So, let's analize the incoming WWDC Possibilities:
1) Apple release both new macbooks/macbook pro at this event. On 13rd June we would have all cards on the table to decide between 12" mb and that new 13,3".
2) Apple, like they did with original retina mbp (thinking about pro people - wwdc main public), release only the model with bigger screen. In that case, you should't expect the middle size model until october (probably they would release it with new macos-os x). Then I'll order a 12" rmb again, just the day of the event.
3) Any new laptop is released (again we'll have to wait untill Fall) or apple only update specs in current models. Then I'll order a 12" rmb again, just the day of the event.

While, and to make the waiting more pleasant, I' ve ordered a m7/256ssd model to try it and 14 days after I'll return it. My advice is clear, do not take a decision until the wwdc!!

 

[izzyfanto]

Get the m5 or m7.
M5 is quicker than i5 from current MacBook Air

I got the M3 for a couple of reasons:

1. Price, obviously.
2. I don't need 512 SSD, so only other option on the 256 SSD was the M7.
3. If I really wanted a bunch of speed (especially sustained speed for long projects), I would have been better waiting for the new MBP(which I wasn't going to buy) instead of spending $225 on a marginal (.3+Ghz base frequency) speed bump. To me it isn't that big a jump to warrant the price.
4. Quote from Intel's M7 spec page: "Configurable TDP-down is a processor operating mode where the processor behavior and performance is modified by lowering TDP and the processor frequency to fixed points."
5. After reading the spec debate thread here, the TPD-down difference between the M3 and M5/M7 was only 0.2W....which essentially means the M7 would drop it's idle CPU threshold barely lower than the M3....which also means marginal(or barely noticeable) battery savings.
6. Also, the M7's Turbo 3.1Ghz(Compared to 2.2Ghz on the M3) is significant, but my opinion is that both have the same thermal environment, so the M7 might boost higher (and get a tiny, tiny bit more done in that time) but it's gonna get hot and drop back down. So if I would be contemplating needed 3.1Ghz Turbo regularly, I should have waited for the new MBP, which I don't need. See point 3 again.
7. On the thread above, it was also mentioned...
   - The m7 GPU Max Dynamic Frequency is 1Ghz, vs 900mhz for the m5, and 850mhz for the m3.
   - The m7 has Intel vPro technology, the others do not.
   - The m7 has Intel TXS-NI, the others do not.
   - The m7 has Intel Stable Image Platform Program (SIPP), the others do not.
   - The m7 has Intel Trusted Execution Technology, the others do not.
   ...but all of those features are for corporate or business environments. Nothing that would help me.
8. Essentially they're the same chip, just one is marginally better in manufacturing, and then given permission to clock a tiny, tiny bit higher, and consume a tiny, tiny bit less power when idling, and then boost .9 Ghz higher for a tiny, tiny bit of time....and that isn't worth the money on a machine I am not getting for power in the first place.

I hope that's helpful to someone on the fence.

 

[izzyfanto]

Just ordered today at 2PM Mountain Time and it's already went through all 4 stages and is shipped, with delivery Tuesday! Impressed.

 

[Mokum020]

I hear you izzyfanto. I ordered the M3 also, in the Netherlands that's EUR 350 cheaper than the M5 model. I save that money for the next redesign. I only use it for light tasks and work, so the specs will suit my needs.

 

[izzyfanto]

I hear you izzyfanto. I ordered the M3 also, in the Netherlands that's EUR 350 cheaper than the M5 model. I save that money for the next redesign. I only use it for light tasks and work, so the specs will suit my needs.

Yep, I'll probably buy next year's update, and give the 2016 to the wife

 

[Howard2k]

Good luck with it!

 

[davys]

I got the M3 for a couple of reasons:

1. Price, obviously.
2. I don't need 512 SSD, so only other option on the 256 SSD was the M7.
3. If I really wanted a bunch of speed (especially sustained speed for long projects), I would have been better waiting for the new MBP(which I wasn't going to buy) instead of spending $225 on a marginal (.3+Ghz base frequency) speed bump. To me it isn't that big a jump to warrant the price.
4. Quote from Intel's M7 spec page: "Configurable TDP-down is a processor operating mode where the processor behavior and performance is modified by lowering TDP and the processor frequency to fixed points."
5. After reading the spec debate thread here, the TPD-down difference between the M3 and M5/M7 was only 0.2W....which essentially means the M7 would drop it's idle CPU threshold barely lower than the M3....which also means marginal(or barely noticeable) battery savings.
6. Also, the M7's Turbo 3.1Ghz(Compared to 2.2Ghz on the M3) is significant, but my opinion is that both have the same thermal environment, so the M7 might boost higher (and get a tiny, tiny bit more done in that time) but it's gonna get hot and drop back down. So if I would be contemplating needed 3.1Ghz Turbo regularly, I should have waited for the new MBP, which I don't need. See point 3 again.
7. On the thread above, it was also mentioned...
   - The m7 GPU Max Dynamic Frequency is 1Ghz, vs 900mhz for the m5, and 850mhz for the m3.
   - The m7 has Intel vPro technology, the others do not.
   - The m7 has Intel TXS-NI, the others do not.
   - The m7 has Intel Stable Image Platform Program (SIPP), the others do not.
   - The m7 has Intel Trusted Execution Technology, the others do not.
   ...but all of those features are for corporate or business environments. Nothing that would help me.
8. Essentially they're the same chip, just one is marginally better in manufacturing, and then given permission to clock a tiny, tiny bit higher, and consume a tiny, tiny bit less power when idling, and then boost .9 Ghz higher for a tiny, tiny bit of time....and that isn't worth the money on a machine I am not getting for power in the first place.

I hope that's helpful to someone on the fence.

You bastard. I've been on the fence for the last year. Still rocking my mid 2009 15" MBP but been waiting patiently for Skylake 13" before upgrading.

My fear is that although the new MBPs may get announced in June, it may be supplies will be constrained until late August/ September time. Part of my swithering was due to photography editing, but as I primarily use my 27" iMac, the MBr would only be for use on the road for basic edits, along with portable HD for storage. I believe the MBr will handle this very nicely going by feedback from many others.

Another reason for swithering is that my iPad 3 is due to be replaced and I'm not comfortable buying another when I can get the MBr for a little more money (education discount). I use it every day commuting to and in work, so portability is important. I would much prefer using OS X.

So thanks, your thread and musings were of value to me and have finally made me jump from the lengthy period of fence sitting. I'll probably be jumping on the M5 bandwagon this weekend! Good day to you, Sir (doffs cap).

 

[izzyfanto]

You bastard. I've been on the fence for the last year. Still rocking my mid 2009 15" MBP but been waiting patiently for Skylake 13" before upgrading.

My fear is that although the new MBPs may get announced in June, it may be supplies will be constrained until late August/ September time. Part of my swithering was due to photography editing, but as I primarily use my 27" iMac, the MBr would only be for use on the road for basic edits, along with portable HD for storage. I believe the MBr will handle this very nicely going by feedback from many others.

Another reason for swithering is that my iPad 3 is due to be replaced and I'm not comfortable buying another when I can get the MBr for a little more money (education discount). I use it every day commuting to and in work, so portability is important. I would much prefer using OS X.

So thanks, your thread and musings were of value to me and have finally made me jump from the lengthy period of fence sitting. I'll probably be jumping on the M5 bandwagon this weekend! Good day to you, Sir (doffs cap).

I love forum interactions like this, people having good dialogue and trying to make informative decisions. Made my day that the research(maybe I over research) I did helped someone else besides me.

I'd say you're gonna be really happy with the new rMB for light photo edits since it has a 25-40% better GPU.

I prefer OSX for real workflows as well!

Cheers!

 

[davys]

I love forum interactions like this, people having good dialogue and trying to make informative decisions. Made my day that the research(maybe I over research) I did helped someone else besides me.

I'd say you're gonna be really happy with the new rMB for light photo edits since it has a 25-40% better GPU.

I prefer OSX for real workflows as well!

Cheers!

Yes Sir, I now think of you as my new enabler...Ill be in touch soon about other matters

Have a good weekend!

 

[izzyfanto]

Yes Sir, I now think of you as my new enabler...Ill be in touch soon about other matters

Have a good weekend!

Haha you as well

 

[JonLa]

Moot issue, not mute issue.

(sorry, pedantry mode off).

A nice summary, and I'm in a similar boat except the current rMBP is just ever so slightly too heavy for me to sit with on my lap and write. the rMB would be great if it just had one more port... Or came with the dongle that allowed you to connect a usb and the power cable at the same time.

 

[izzyfanto]

Moot issue, not mute issue.

(sorry, pedantry mode off).

A nice summary, and I'm in a similar boat except the current rMBP is just ever so slightly too heavy for me to sit with on my lap and write. the rMB would be great if it just had one more port... Or came with the dongle that allowed you to connect a usb and the power cable at the same time.

Haha I learn something new everyday!

Yeah I wish the Apple dongle was cheaper. From what I hear it's the most reliable though. Although I wish it was more in the theme of aluminum like the MB. The white doesn't look good to me. Maybe WWDC they'll redesign that too. Have you considered buying third party adapters?

 

[mmthor]

... Or came with the dongle that allowed you to connect a usb and the power cable at the same time.

http://www.amazon.com/Jellas-Charging-Full-Speed-Converter-Supports/dp/B017INH14Y

 

[JonLa]

I'll wait and see whether the 13" rMBP gets lighter before I make the final decision, but that dongle looks nifty

 

[izzyfanto]

I'll wait and see whether the 13" rMBP gets lighter before I make the final decision, but that dongle looks nifty

Yep if you feel you need a little more it wouldn't hurt to wait for the MBP. Btw, my m3 is fantastic. Really happy with my decision. Impressed with the burst of speed that it has, and the size is perfect for me. Couple of years ago I owned the 11 MBA for a couple weeks before selling it...loved the portability but the screen was too cramped and low res for me. This is the Macbook I wanted a couple years ago.

 

[Gpulvi]

Thanks for this great thread! It helped me a lot.
I'm from Argentina and buying a Mac is really a pain down there... This things are very overpriced here and, FYI, a rMB base model costs about 2200 USD, and of you want to buy it in an official reseller, the price goes up to 4000...
I'm selling my rMBP 15 late 2013 to buy a new rMB so your advice and experience is very useful!
I'll probably buy m5 instead of m7, no need to spend the extra money.

 

[izzyfanto]

Awesome! Seems like the m5 has a nice bump compared to the m3. Did you use your MBP for anything heavy?