Do you actually own one? Or just familiar with them via playing with them at a retail store? Just curious...because
in 30 years of computing...I can honestly say it's the absolute Best computer I've had the pleasure of owning.
To the OP---an absolute YES!!!
My wife and I each own the 15" models...and both of us are in our 40s. We both use reading glasses...but with the rMBP, it's unnecessary for me to use my glasses. The speed of the SSD, USB3, 2x TB, and HDMI with the SD card reader (I know the 'classic also has a couple of these options available)...and the sound, unreal for a laptop!!! Excellent cooling system, inaudible fans--the horsepower is equivalent to my '09 Mac Pro---and the display, simply outstanding!!! The build quality, the weight (I'm used to the 17" models which I've owned since '05), and can I say it again?? The speed of everything...absolutely amazing.
Yes...I've had a quirk (LG display showed the IR after 4 months) that Apple immediately and without hesitation--replaced overnight with a Sammy display. Excellent customer service as always.
I find it extremely hard to believe any of the naysayers in so many of the posts are valid complaints. It's absolutely NOT a Version 1 model. Apple has been making SSD only models for a few years now (Air)...as well as CD/DVD driveless laptops. They've been making excellent laptops for decades now. The ONLY difference with this model is the display. Obviously Apple is aware of the issue or it wouldn't be so easy for those of us with the IR development to get a replacement display. IMHO, this is the only 'V1' part of the computer....everything else is evolutionary on the laptop front. There just isn't anything wrong with this computer...nothing. I've no complaints, no issues with the so called 'lag' in Safari...no weird fan spin ups, none of it--and again, we've got two of them.
I do believe they will continue to refine the rMBP...but I couldn't be happier. To have the power the rMBP has in such a small package is truly revolutionary. Apple's experience with 'retina' products began with the iPhone 4---to the iPad 3, now the laptops. It's a bit tough for me to go back to playing with my 11" Air or my iMacs.
One incredible way to side by side compare the difference in resolution is the App Store. It's always been silly to me that you can't increase the font size while in the Mac App Store...and the size (10 point?) of text shows how pixelated the non-retina screens are. On the rMBP---no need to zoom or increase font size. It's immaculate and sharp and very easy to read even though it's small text. If you're on the fence and you're able to compare models, this is one of the easiest ways to see the 'difference' between models. Open the App Store on a cMBP and rMBP and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about. Less than a year after release, a ton of the programs, sites and browsers have been updated to support HiDPI monitors. That's another very cool deal. I use the Adobe suite extensively---and the ability to 'see' my pics and vids in high detail yet not sacrificing real estate is a huge positive. It's definitely an exciting time to be a 'tech nerd'!!!! I wish I could shave a couple decades of my life off...just to see where technology takes us over the next half century
Awesome Computer. No complaints...and I will buy the Haswell model when it's released.
We are right now considering replacing all of our business iMacs with rMBPs...and when the newer models drop, we'll be able to get an excellent deal on the current models, whether second hand or refurb units.
Thanks for the thread OP. It's about time I can read through an entire thread without the ignorant bashing of 'non' owners or envious folks (knock on wood, I'm sure they're coming
)
J