Stick with MBP or switch back to Windows?

[Badrottie]

I think OP should go back to Windows. It is cheap to buy Windows stuff and Windows is easy to fix yourself. MBP cost more than 2000 and you have issues compared to Compaq notebook costs to buy 450.00 and can be fix for a little of 150….Think about it.

 

[Elmzeh]

I think OP should go back to Windows. It is cheap to buy Windows stuff and Windows is easy to fix yourself. MBP cost more than 2000 and you have issues compared to Compaq notebook costs to buy 450.00 and can be fix for a little of 150….Think about it.

Hey,

Thanks for your response!

Thing is, like I've said to Apple and previously - I am really loving the OSX and switch from Windows to Mac... its a great system but I've just been slightly put off by the issues that I've had.

The idea of migrating back to Windows now doesn't excite me too much especially when my brother is constantly telling me how he's constantly getting viruses and how clunky the OS is!

I understand that I could get a Windows system that is probably stronger for less money but I have been swayed to the "Apple Side" and just need some clarity on if the MacBook Pro Retina is worth it (considering it wont cost me anything extra)

 

[jcpb]

I think OP should go back to Windows. It is cheap to buy Windows stuff and Windows is easy to fix yourself. MBP cost more than 2000 and you have issues compared to Compaq notebook costs to buy 450.00 and can be fix for a little of 150….Think about it.

Compaq. EWWWWWWWWWWW.

 

[Elmzeh]

Compaq. EWWWWWWWWWWW.

Hey

Just noticed you've got a Retina that is of similar spec to the one I've been offered!

Which machine did you have prior to the Retina and how are you finding it so far?

 

[204353]

I would strongly suggest the MacBook Pro with Retina display. Have you seen or used one? I upgraded from an early-2011 15" MacBook Pro and it was a HUGE upgrade.

To give you an idea of how much I love it: I've had the machine for a year and to this day, I am still totally amazed by how awesome it is. The incredible display... the thinness and light weight, the superior cooling system and so on. It's truly brilliant.

 

[Elmzeh]

I would strongly suggest the MacBook Pro with Retina display. Have you seen or used one? I upgraded from an early-2011 15" MacBook Pro and it was a HUGE upgrade.

To give you an idea of how much I love it: I've had the machine for a year and to this day, I am still totally amazed by how awesome it is. The incredible display... the thinness and light weight, the superior cooling system and so on. It's truly brilliant.

Thanks for the response MarcBook, the retina does sound awesome I'm definitely leaning towards it at the moment!

Unfortunately I've not had a chance to use one just yet but was planning to visit the local Apple Store for a look in the next few days - I've checked out some YouTube videos and the only slight concern that I have is that ill be losing the Antiglare Screen on my Mid 2012 CMBP... Is there a noticeable difference between Antiglare and the Retina Screen? Or do you feel that the quality of the picture / strength of the machine outweighs any glare issues?

 

[Yahooligan]

The difference in glare really depends on the lighting conditions, but if you find the Retina has too much glare then they do make antiglare films that you can apply to the display, though you may lose some clarity/brightness as a result.

I would recommend jumping on the Retina they're offering, I've been very happy with mine. The downside is no optical drive, however you can get an external one if you really need it.

 

[204353]

Thanks for the response MarcBook, the retina does sound awesome I'm definitely leaning towards it at the moment!

Unfortunately I've not had a chance to use one just yet but was planning to visit the local Apple Store for a look in the next few days - I've checked out some YouTube videos and the only slight concern that I have is that ill be losing the Antiglare Screen on my Mid 2012 CMBP... Is there a noticeable difference between Antiglare and the Retina Screen? Or do you feel that the quality of the picture / strength of the machine outweighs any glare issues?

Honestly, I find glare to be nearly non-existant on the Retina display. I believe it's due to the laminated display construction (no extra layer of glass like the normal MacBook Pros) and possibly an anti-glare layer, although that's not confirmed.

I'd say it has around the same (or maybe even less) reflection than the unibody anti-glare matte displays, but they're obviously sharp reflections rather than blurred like on the matte displays.

I went from a 'glassy' 2011 MacBook Pro to the Retina display and it's better in literally every way.

And yes, I think the quality of the display (resolution, contrast, colour, viewing angles etc.) definitely out-weighs any drawbacks from it being glossy.

 

[tekno]

I dont want to ignite a Windows vs Mac war but for what I want I could use some guidance from the more experienced users. If its best to stick with Mac for the stuff that I want then thats what I'll do however if based on the issues that I've had / money and cost of another system with higher specs will be a better option then this is something I'll consider!

I think it's strange that Mac or Windows are the only choices (ok, there's Linux but that's not really viable for the average user).

It's time there was another desktop OS on the market. Even the mobile market has Android, iOS, Blackberry and Windows Phone.

 

[Elmzeh]

Thanks everyone for all of the responses so far;

I'll be heading to an Apple Store for a quick little look at the screen difference after work this evening and will be hoping to make a final decision tomorrow;

If anyone else has any experience of the Retina MacBook Pro's vs the Classics and can give me any further info/advice or any pros/cons that would be great

As mentioned, spec wise the Retina they have offered me will blow the Classic out of the water + they will be giving me a SuperDrive as well so I wont really be losing the DVD/CD Drive which is excellent;

Due to the upgraded specs of the Retina I can only assume that Video, Music and Photography applications will run much better and that gaming will also be improved (Although the GFX card is the same)... If I ever want to get back into heavy gaming then I'll probably review Thunderbolt eGPU options but gaming isnt my main concern right now

The main thing that is slightly holding me back is that I'm not sure of the difference of glare between the Antiglare Screens and the Retina but I will look into this further this evening!

Any other info/advice until then would be great!



***EDIT***

Also, as someone stated previously I could always sell the system for a profit should it not work out however I'd like to get the right system the first time around rather than getting the wrong one and having to sell it etc;

 

[sonicrobby]

Thanks everyone for all of the responses so far;

I'll be heading to an Apple Store for a quick little look at the screen difference after work this evening and will be hoping to make a final decision tomorrow;

If anyone else has any experience of the Retina MacBook Pro's vs the Classics and can give me any further info/advice or any pros/cons that would be great

As mentioned, spec wise the Retina they have offered me will blow the Classic out of the water + they will be giving me a SuperDrive as well so I wont really be losing the DVD/CD Drive which is excellent;

Due to the upgraded specs of the Retina I can only assume that Video, Music and Photography applications will run much better and that gaming will also be improved (Although the GFX card is the same)... If I ever want to get back into heavy gaming then I'll probably review Thunderbolt eGPU options but gaming isnt my main concern right now

The main thing that is slightly holding me back is that I'm not sure of the difference of glare between the Antiglare Screens and the Retina but I will look into this further this evening!

Any other info/advice until then would be great!



***EDIT***

Also, as someone stated previously I could always sell the system for a profit should it not work out however I'd like to get the right system the first time around rather than getting the wrong one and having to sell it etc;

Im just throwing this out there, the only issue I know with SOME rMBP is a screen ghosting issue with the first generation LG screens. BUT like I said its some. I actually have one of those with the first gen LG screens, and I have not had that issue. Im just informing you about it. Apple has had no problems replacing rMBPs with the ghosting problem. Though with all youve been through, I think an exchange is the last thing youre looking for.

Anyway, I think the retina is a MUCH better deal! Take it, you will LOVE IT! Ive had mine for a while now, and I love it more than any other computer Ive had No regrets whatsoever going from my 13" cMBP to the 15" rMBP

 

[fskywalker]

No brainer!

Just take the rMBP, if not like it you can easily sell it and with the funds get any other model you may want, even an used model like your defective MBP !!

 

[RedRaven571]

take it! if u dont like it u can sell it for a profit

I agree with this, try it, if you don't like it, you can unload it for more money than you spent on the original machine.

 

[alex0002]

They have offered me...

MacBook Pro Retina Display

Hardware
•2.8GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz
•16GB 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
•512GB Flash Storage
•Backlit Keyboard (British) & User's Guide (English)
•Accessory Kit
•Apple USB SuperDrive (Separate)

Software
•iLife '11
•OS X Mountain Lion

In most of these cMBP vs rMBP threads, I'm usually the one saying that I prefer the more upgradeable classic MBP. But I'm working in the IT/Telecoms world where having a real ethernet port is a must.... for everyone else, if they are offering 16GB RAM, 512GB flash and they give you a superdrive, then take the MacBook Pro Retina.

 

[vtecintegra]

I've got a cMBP hi-res antiglare and I've got a retina. I was dead set against the retina at first due to lack of being able to upgrade (16gb ram and crucial 512gb ssd went straight into the cMBP). In my opinion the retina screen blows the hi-res away. The fuzziness and pixelation of text drives me crazy on the hi-res. It's like the difference between reading magazine print vs a newspaper. My wife uses the hi-res antiglare and she could care less as long as the computer is fast. Too each his/her own. If you can get a retina with 16gb, I'd take it without hesitating. I have no problems with glare on the retina. Very little compared to the glossy MBP. Regardless of opinions you should look at them yourself.

 

[Yahooligan]

I find it interesting that people are claiming that the rMBP has virtually no glare and isn't far off from the cMBP hires antiglare or that the glare isn't as bad as the glossy display.

No offense, but I think that's a bunch of hooey. I, too, have both and there's a HUGE difference in glare between the two.

https://picasaweb.google.com/103816...&authkey=Gv1sRgCNWXgbubtayMSA&feat=directlink

 

[Elmzeh]

I find it interesting that people are claiming that the rMBP has virtually no glare and isn't far off from the cMBP hires antiglare or that the glare isn't as bad as the glossy display.

No offense, but I think that's a bunch of hooey. I, too, have both and there's a HUGE difference in glare between the two.

https://picasaweb.google.com/103816...&authkey=Gv1sRgCNWXgbubtayMSA&feat=directlink

Hey Yahooligan,

Thanks for the pic and for your responses throughout the post!

I headed to my local Apple Store after work this evening and did indeed notice the slight glare on the retina screens although when comparing it to the cMBP without anti glare it was definitely better!

I think the best thing for me to do is as suggested... take the retina offer - see how things go and at the very worse I could always sell it on and either go back to an antiglare, put the money towards the next system/refresh or even consider a new laptop all together.

I know that you mentioned in a previous post you think it would be best to go for the Retina but before I go ahead with it I'd be keen to know what your thoughts are on both machines/how they compare pros/cons as you have both;

The optical drive isn't going to be an issue for me + they will be including a SuperDrive in the package which is great and all of the speed tests I done in store vs a cMBR showed that the retina came out ontop every time!

Forgetting the facts is hasn't got an antiglare screen/DVD drive - have you got any complaints with the retina?

 

[jcpb]

Hey

Just noticed you've got a Retina that is of similar spec to the one I've been offered!

Which machine did you have prior to the Retina and how are you finding it so far?

PC desktop.

 

[Yahooligan]

Forgetting the facts is hasn't got an antiglare screen/DVD drive - have you got any complaints with the retina?

I have no complaints other than being unable to upgrade the memory, but since you would be getting the max, and mine has the max, there's not much left to upgrade. The display is great and it has decent battery life, it also has two thunderbolt ports, which could be handy. They also lack a wired Ethernet port so you would have to buy and adapter if you want wired Ethernet. I haven't found any reason not to get a Retina other than what I had mentioned before about being unable to add a second drive. I'd recommend them to family looking for a Mac laptop.

 

[Elmzeh]

**Update**

N/a

 

[fskywalker]

N/a

See you erase the update you gave a while ago that Mac is offering now a lower grade rMBP. What happened?

 

[Elmzeh]

See you erase the update you gave a while ago that Mac is offering now a lower grade rMBP. What happened?

While I was only seeking additional advice from you guys I didn't think it was too fair to Apple to be publicly discussing it + I didn't want to get drag the thread on longer than required but unfortunately just as I thought there was a resolution - the goal posts have been changed;

The situation as it stands is that they have outright said that the initial MacBook Pro Retina spec they offered me was a mistake and due to the huge increase in terms of spec / cost they simply cannot offer it to me.

I'm going to be reviewing my options tomorrow however I'm currently left with;

1) Return for Refund (Will not get a like for like system for the same money as it was purchased during Apple Xmas Sales and on 0% Finance)

2) Potentially return for an upgraded Classic MacBook Pro although this has not been discussed yet

3) Take their new offer which would be a 15" Early 2013 Retina MacBook Pro, 256GB SSD, 16GB and 2.7GHz processor

The 3rd option is the best I could get from them as I stated that any of the other options they presented me with would have resulted in me incurring some kind of loss in either CPU, RAM or HDD space and capacity. I mentioned that the key issue is that they are trying to offer me a Retina system which may be well specced but cannot be upgraded later on so I will be stuck with whichever upgrade I would have chosen for good.

I'm going to have a little think about things through the week and have an update with the Apple Representative on Saturday;

What's your thoughts?

 

[fskywalker]

While I was only seeking additional advice from you guys I didn't think it was too fair to Apple to be publicly discussing it + I didn't want to get drag the thread on longer than required but unfortunately just as I thought there was a resolution - the goal posts have been changed;

The situation as it stands is that they have outright said that the initial MacBook Pro Retina spec they offered me was a mistake and due to the huge increase in terms of spec / cost they simply cannot offer it to me.

I'm going to be reviewing my options tomorrow however I'm currently left with;

1) Return for Refund (Will not get a like for like system for the same money as it was purchased during Apple Xmas Sales and on 0% Finance)

2) Potentially return for an upgraded Classic MacBook Pro although this has not been discussed yet

3) Take their new offer which would be a 15" Early 2013 Retina MacBook Pro, 256GB SSD, 16GB and 2.7GHz processor

The 3rd option is the best I could get from them as I stated that any of the other options they presented me with would have resulted in me incurring some kind of loss in either CPU, RAM or HDD space and capacity. I mentioned that the key issue is that they are trying to offer me a Retina system which may be well specced but cannot be upgraded later on so I will be stuck with whichever upgrade I would have chosen for good.

I'm going to have a little think about things through the week and have an update with the Apple Representative on Saturday;

What's your thoughts?

From your previous posting (erased) understood you could ask for an upgrade on either speed (2.8), memory (16GB) or hard drive (512gb). I think out of the 3, would take the 512GB SDD option since is the best bang for the buck. If they allow you to pay extra and have 2, would suggest you take the 512GB through them and pay the $200 extra fee (if remember correctly, that is the cost at order) for the 16GB RAM. I

 

[Elmzeh]

From your previous posting (erased) understood you could ask for an upgrade on either speed (2.8), memory (16GB) or hard drive (512gb). I think out of the 3, would take the 512GB SDD option since is the best bang for the buck. If they allow you to pay extra and have 2, would suggest you take the 512GB through them and pay the $200 extra fee (if remember correctly, that is the cost at order) for the 16GB RAM. I

While that would be great if it was possible it would mean I would have paid an extra £200 which I'm not too sure I want to do at the moment;

I'm curious to know why you would have chosen the SSD over the 2.8GHz as at least with the SSD I can get an external HDD/SSD. Should I opt for the SSD it would mean going from my current 2.6GHz machine to 2.4GHz;

My thinking was that If I could secure almost top specs with regards to Processor and RAM (2.7GHz and 16GB RAM) the HDD/SSD wouldn't be an issue as I could get an external one or am I looking at things all wrong?

 

[fskywalker]

While that would be great if it was possible it would mean I would have paid an extra £200 which I'm not too sure I want to do at the moment;

I'm curious to know why you would have chosen the SSD over the 2.8GHz as at least with the SSD I can get an external HDD/SSD. Should I opt for the SSD it would mean going from my current 2.6GHz machine to 2.4GHz;

My thinking was that If I could secure almost top specs with regards to Processor and RAM (2.7GHz and 16GB RAM) the HDD/SSD wouldn't be an issue as I could get an external one or am I looking at things all wrong?

I meant 200 US Dollars

I think your ratione makes sense if you are ok with carrying external drives (you may also upgrade the SSD in the future)