McGiord
macrumors 601
Ha-ha, trueWhat does pro in your user name means by the way?
I consider myself a pro because I use computer for my professional full time activities.
I do:
1. Some iOS (iPhone) development (natively on mac). Relatively easy task for the hardware.
2. Java Web development (natively on mac) - very memory and CPU intensive. Using memory swap is not an option.
3. Windows OS development (Virtual Box VM + MS Windows OS + MS Visual Studio) - relatively easy task as long as enough RAM is provided. Using memory swap is not an option.
I deal with video encoding, but that's home movies on occasion once or twice a year.
#1 is the reason why I need mac. Otherwise I could save lots of money and buy PC hardware with much more power. I'm also a little tired of Windows and want something different. Linux is not refined enough for me. I like Macbook design.
* Memory:
For my current tasks 4GB is just enough at the lower edge. I can do either #2 or #3, but not at the same time, as either of these tasks uses all memory. I did not buy more memory from Apple as it is cheaper to upgrade elsewhere. I will upgrade later, when 4GB will not be enough and I will know how much extra I need. I'm pretty sure at some point 8GB will not be enough. If I decide to work on #2 and #3 at the same time 8GB will be at the limit even today. And #2 and #3 grow in memory the more time you use them. (Air is a no go).
* CPU:
i5 has reasonable power. #2 builds around 2 times faster than my Macbook white Core 2 Duo 4GB does (which I still use as secondary dev. box). #3 builds slightly faster than HP Core 2 Duo laptop with Windows OS that I also have but would like to decommission and use single hardware. i7 would do better, but not enough to justify extra spending. And any CPU will get outdated soon, so no reason to pay big bucks for the top one. Also, Apple doesn't give us the best of i5 i7 anyways. (Air or Pro - are even here)
* Hard Disk:
#1-#3 does intensive and extensive disk input/output all the time, and I'm concerned regarding SSD longevity with its limited write cycles. Also, #3 takes a lot of disk space. (Pro wins over Air here). I do appreciate SSD's speed, but more importantly - mobility as there's no risk of loosing the information while using the laptop in the motion. I can install SSD if this becomes important (Pro wins again).
* Battery:
I do use the battery a lot, and ability to replace it makes lots of sense. (Air loses).
* Screen resolution:
Doesn't matter much as long as it's reasonable. Screen size plays bigger role. (Pro and Air are equivalent for me on this one)
For anything other than #1-#3, like web browsing, photo editing, document\spreadsheets and even video editing my MacBook white with Core 2 Duo does perfect job and I feel over-powered.
I agree with most of your points.
However the battery of the current MacBooks, Air or Pro, cannot be user replaced, unless it is a repair involving tech work (soldering, etc).
And working with demanding Spreadsheets, Pivot Tables, and Graphs with lot of data, it is always better to have as much RAM as possible. I mean data analysis, not accounting or simple things that you can do without scrolling (all the data you are using is displayed on the screen).
The forum intention is to share our experience and answer/raise questions.
Assuming that my world fits everyone else's is non sense.
Generalizing about the average consumer doesn't help the discussion. Aren't we Mac users? Aren't we people that pay for Apple products? What we want in our Macs is want we want. That Apple doesn't fulfill everything we want is something else. Finding in these discussions a common opinion is nice, and insulting others because they don't agree or have a different opinion is not.
I would love to have a Retina display MacBook with enough graphics power to run fast when encoding a DVD or bluRay to a video file, ripping a CD. Playing games. Developing software. Watching online video streams in HD. Working with heavy data files. Working with my photos and videos. Managing my music collection.
I need 1TB storage that is fast.
A battery that lasts more than 3 hours, while using it for all the above.
I think it is possible, not necessarily means that Apple will do it, I just want your opinions:
1- Update all models with Retina display
2- With graphics like the new iPad, they migh adopt something like it for the Airs, of course has to have enough power to drive it
3- They can adopt the smaller form factor of the rMBP, but adding more storage options with higher capacity, and more RAM
4- they can keep the classic unibody form factor, remove the optical drive, place the rMBP internals in it with some modifications to have either HDD or SSD, user upgradable RAM, discrete or better graphics card.