Thoughts/Decisions about the Retina Macbook Pro

[ljx718]

I just received my new rMBP yesterday and I gotta say, it's a beautiful machine, it's light compared to my 2011 MBP, and the display is just stunning! I absolutely love it in an out... minus the lag on the os itself. I know that there's been multiple complaints about the lag, but I honestly did not expect it to get so choppy.

Regardless, I notice that it's decently smooth on the discrete graphics card, which is acceptable, only that I won't be using my discrete graphics card all the time when I'm out in class, which is problematic.

And here comes the decision, should I return my rMBP and wait for a new generation to come out? Or is this something that a software update can "smooth" out? I looked at the macbook pro release history, and I noticed that for the past couple macbook pro updates, theyve kept the integrated graphics card throughout the whole lineup to be the Intel 3000 one. So I don't want to return, wait, and have the next one have the same integrated graphics card as this one.

So tell me guys, what should I do?

P.S. I was gunna sell my old MBP, but I'm holding on to it until I make up my mind. (The UI is smoother one that than this rMBP, but that's a given with the retina)
P.P.S. I don't want to return this and get like a MBA or iPad, I like having just one device!

Thanks

return it if a little lag here and there bothers you while ppl saying that ML fixes it.

 

[hiohokaybye]

don't return it. I'm sure ML will fix most of the problem if not all. As ML is mostly build for Retina MBP

Again, already on ML, lag with 1440*900~1920*1200, havent tried anything below. I'm now on 2880*1800, everything is tinnny, but no significant lag so far.

I do agree with your statement, however it could also be said "the masses will buy anything Apple". They've proven that over & over.

That's due to the brilliance of having the worlds most convincing salesman on board. Now that he's gone, the halo effect is as strong as ever and may carry on for some time.

In the meantime the educated, experienced computer users will still think for themselves and not be fooled by the remants of the prior CEO's smoke & mirrors hype machine.

You phrased it pretty darn well there, and I completely agree with you. I absolutely love apple products, but I try not to be blinded and buy everything they release. And the thing is, after people buy it and even if they release there's a major issue with it, they somehow convince themselves that it'll be fix or that the problem is not even there or even that it's not big enough that they'll affect your daily work.

To make any sense and form any conclusion of these posts users need to post exactly what resolutions they are running, once you opt for scaled the system has to work harder, in "Best for Retina" many of the graphical anomalies are nulled.
....
My own Retina (base 2.3) I run on Best for Retina and have observed very few graphical issues, then again I am not deliberately changing my usage habits and workflow to find fault. Mountain Lion will correct issues to some extent, however people should also bear in mind that the impending release is the first commercial iteration and as with all OS X releases the OS will mature and improve over time.

I tend to move sort of fast on my computer (like i do lots of keyboard shortcuts , trackpad gestures that involves heavy graphic uses, etc) and that's how Ive used all my past mbp, not a problem, but this one...uh...

Everyone was saying that all issues will be fixed with ML. Now that it isn't true, I guess people are going to say everything is going to be fixed with an even later version with no real proof other than just hoping for the best for their $2.5-3k beta machine. Ouch.

I'm just hoping that something will fix this in the next month or i guess im returning this :/

 

[TibookAktive]

To some but completely acceptable to the masses.

Couldn't agree more. 99% of new retina buyers wouldn't notice the lag/wouldn't be at all bothered if they did. The 1% are the, how shall we say, perfectionist-type/demanding users, coincidentally the same kind of people that tend to frequent mac forums.... just saying. The old mountain molehill adage comes to mind.

And I am running ML GM and the lag is hugely better.

 

[Steve121178]

I think with all the negative points people have raised with the Retina MacBook Pro, you would have to be crazy to purchase it right now.

As a rule of thumb, with Apple I always find it's best to wait until 'revision 2.0' before taking the plunge. With the second generation product, they iron out all the problems with the first version and refine it into something perfect.

I would personally not purchase the Retina MacBook Pro right now because apps & web pages are just not optimised for the display. The fact that you made this thread suggests you already have doubts so send it back and do a bit more research next time before making such an expensive mistake.

 

[stevelam]

There is good reason why Apple still offer the MBP alongside the Retina MBP, if you dont want to be part of it, or simply wait unto 2014 when Retina has matured same as the Air has.

As I have stated i have seen very little issue with my Retina, equally i am not deliberately looking for error Retina is working for me and my usage ML will bring improvements due to the way the OS will handle graphics. if the Retina was an issue to me i would simply follow my own advice get out or wait. The graphical issues people are raising dont detract from the computers core functionality, and will be addressed.

As for the continuous references to to the Retina`s pricing, simply use the web to look back and see just how much MBP`s were and what we are getting for the money; 2006 MBP $1,999 - $2,499, now with adjustment for inflation $2,275.43 - $2,844.57 anyone still think they are getting a particularly bad deal ?

When Apple release a new product there is always a level of controversy with the Retina it`s a if many want to see it dead in the water right on the launch, i agree it`s not perfect yet there is nothing even close to it on the market as Steve Jobs put it "Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water or do you want a chance to change the world?" personally i have always been for the latter 😉

no idea what your steve jobs quote has anything to do with what you said but ok.

as for pricing, you are kind of forgetting that every other machine in the apple lineup has dropped down dramatically in price in comparison. you can't just randomly give 2006 pricing numbers without realizing that now you can get an MBA today for less than a $1000 when they cost 2k just a few years ago.

yah and i spent almost $3k on a Pentium III windows machine years and years ago. its still irrelevant.

who are you to say the graphical issues "will be addressed"? you basically just proved exactly what i said. people are just assuming fixes will come along just because they spent that much money on a product.

if the iphone had this many graphical issues i doubt anyone would say "oh its fine! it doesn't detract from its core functionality!". have you tried going from an iphone 4s back to an iphone 3g? it is most definitely near-unusable in comparison precisely because of graphical issues and lag. why would you want to go backwards in laptop performance as well?

 

[01mggt]

Currently own a base model rmbp running ML GM. Zero UI lag here and zero scroll lag in safari. That's all I am going to say. Sick and tired of people researching this and then complainging about Lion STILL. The world is not coming to an end because you can't scroll facebook fast enough. Wait one more freaking week. And to everyone who compalins about it STILL under ML GM, you guys must be downright OCD. That or you are opening an instance of every single app you have installed and then firing up mission control just so you have something to complain about. Just like the guy in the other post talking about how slow animation was switching between TWENTY safari windows. Who the hell opens 20 safari windows on a regular basis?! Everytime I see these threads I want to vomit.

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who are you to say the graphical issues "will be addressed"? you basically just proved exactly what i said. people are just assuming fixes will come along just because they spent that much money on a product.

?

I can't speak for him but I have ZERO issues in ML GB. And I am not saying that to justify my purchase. It's my money and I did what I wanted to and could not be happier. It's called software optimization. You make it sound like black magic. Apple pays people good money to optomize software. This si the first time the software has been asked to do the scaling it is right now. It's not something that can't be fixed. People liek you are just assuming fixes WON'T come along bc you can afford the rmbp and would rather troll the forums. Here is a coloring book and some crayons, now go color.

 

[stevelam]

Currently own a base model rmbp running ML GM. Zero UI lag here and zero scroll lag in safari. That's all I am going to say. Sick and tired of people researching this and then complainging about Lion STILL. The world is not coming to an end because you can't scroll facebook fast enough. Wait one more freaking week. And to everyone who compalins about it STILL under ML GM, you guys must be downright OCD. That or you are opening an instance of every single app you have installed and then firing up mission control just so you have something to complain about. Just like the guy in the other post talking about how slow animation was switching between TWENTY safari windows. Who the hell opens 20 safari windows on a regular basis?! Everytime I see these threads I want to vomit.

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20 safari windows vs 20 different windows from various apps open. whats the difference? right now i have at least 9 different windows open and i'm not even doing heavy work right now. and unfortunately for you, theres already been several posts by RMBP owners who are running ML GM and are still experiencing UI lag issues. i couldn't care less about safari performance.

It's called software optimization. You make it sound like black magic. Apple pays people good money to optomize software. This si the first time the software has been asked to do the scaling it is right now. It's not something that can't be fixed.

apple clearly didn't spend enough money then 🙂

wait, so you're reassuring me that a fix is coming (based on absolutely nothing) when you yourself claim theres absolutely nothing to fix with the rmbp? how does that make sense?

 

[Queen6]

no idea what your steve jobs quote has anything to do with what you said but ok.

as for pricing, you are kind of forgetting that every other machine in the apple lineup has dropped down dramatically in price in comparison. you can't just randomly give 2006 pricing numbers without realizing that now you can get an MBA today for less than a $1000 when they cost 2k just a few years ago.

yah and i spent almost $3k on a Pentium III windows machine years and years ago. its still irrelevant.

who are you to say the graphical issues "will be addressed"? you basically just proved exactly what i said. people are just assuming fixes will come along just because they spent that much money on a product.

if the iphone had this many graphical issues i doubt anyone would say "oh its fine! it doesn't detract from its core functionality!". have you tried going from an iphone 4s back to an iphone 3g? it is most definitely near-unusable in comparison precisely because of graphical issues and lag. why would you want to go backwards in laptop performance as well?

Apple will obviously work on improving the Retina user experience, this is common sense, it`s already started with Mountain Lion 🙄 If you are so hung up, so disappointed, simply return the machine to Apple and get a refund and be done with it, as you are so clearly unhappy with the Retina`s performance versus your usage, it`s your choice your money and realistically nobody else cares.

All people need to do is validate their workflow, apps verus what the Retina can deliver present day, 6 months from now many more apps will be 100% compatible, 12-18 months hardware will be stronger with the event of Intel`s Haswell. Early adoption always brings a risk, if you as the individual dont do your ground work and are subsequently unhappy with the product, well that`s on you...

Honestly it`s almost amusing the way some are going on about the performance of the Retina, that their machines won`t smoothly scroll specific web sites when running your fingers across the track pad as fast as humanly possible! Like any of these graphical issues actually interfere with getting any real work done, detract from the benefit of the resolution.

"So sorry I couldn't finish the project, because Mission Control on my Mac wont animate above 20fps with 4 desktops open" 🙄

Once again for those not satisfied, those who feel their machines dont meet the expectation; return them. All the "whining" in the world is not going to change anything one iota, if you want to make a difference feed back to Apple directly that you are not satisfied with their product. are returning the system and you feel that you were missled regarding the graphic performance of the Retina Mac`s.

As with all new technologies the are often trade off`s the Retina at present for some is graphically imperfect, yet it delivers tremendous power, resolution, portability and for some of us the Retina is already expediting our work.

 

[Slivortal]

All evidence points to the MBPR lag issue being software-based. Also, as the 4000 was Intel's claim-to-fame with Ivy Bridge, I doubt we'll see wildly improved graphics in next year's model.

 

[01mggt]

I'm done. Just going to try and ignore these dumb threads. I just had 22 apps running and still minimal if any UI lag at all.

 

[Queen6]

I'm done. Just going to try and ignore these dumb threads. I just had 22 apps running and still minimal if any UI lag at all.

Clarity - As the individual you must filter the content of the internet very carefully; everyone is a "Pro", everyone is the "expert", for the most part they are neither, a few are well informed, the majority are not. If you need help to make a significant purchase, or qualification on hardware, wait for a recognised source, not the kid with 10 minutes hands on in Best Buy 😉

 

[samarth1]

Clarity - As the individual you must filter the content of the internet very carefully; everyone is a "Pro", everyone is the "expert", for the most part they are neither, a few are well informed, the majority are not. If you need help to make a significant purchase, or qualification on hardware, wait for a recognised source, not the kid with 10 minutes hands on in Best Buy 😉

This x 100.

I am glad there is someone with clarity on threads like this. As the owner of a baseline rMBP with 16gb RAM and Mountain Lion GM installed, I can say from first hand experience that the areas of lag have been significantly reduced, to the point where you're not bothered by their constant presence. For those expecting it to be like butter on a pan, I'm sorry to say you have the wrong expectations, even for a machine that costs upwards of $2000. There will be no single product that will ever satisfy everyone. The target audience of the rMBP are a very specific group of people with specific demands, and for them, there is simply no other laptop out there that is up to snuff. For those who are disappointed, return it and find a machine that you are happy with, be it a regular 15in MBP or an Alienware m14x. The fact that ML GM has fixed a significant amount of lag in places like Safari and Mission Control means that this is all about software optimization. Given enough time, Apple will iron any remaining issues specific to the rMBP. Patience is a virtue. For those that expect software to move as fast as hardware, I encourage you to take a good hard look at how this industry functions.

 

[macNewbie02]

Much depends on your lighting conditions, Apple store is probably not the best of venues. I have the Retina and a Late 2011 15"MBP and the Retina is significantly improved regarding glare, however it`s still present.

The MBP with matt HiRes would certainly fit your need, I dont think applying a film to the Retina would work out too well. Retina or standard either will be a massive uplift on your 08, my oldest MBP is from Early 08 (pre Unibody) so i can pretty much judge the gap and both would be a vast improvement on reducing glare. If you can manage your lighting conditions the Retina should work out fine.

I absolutely agree with this reply. Yesterday I got my new rMBP and I was afraid of the reflection by the glossy screen. When I tried it on Apple store the lighting was so strong that while it was much better than the uMBP, it still was reflective. When I got it in my room it is just excellent, and the glare is just a non-issue.

 

[hiohokaybye]

Currently own a base model rmbp running ML GM. Zero UI lag here and zero scroll lag in safari. That's all I am going to say. Sick and tired of people researching this and then complainging about Lion STILL. The world is not coming to an end because you can't scroll facebook fast enough. Wait one more freaking week. And to everyone who compalins about it STILL under ML GM, you guys must be downright OCD. That or you are opening an instance of every single app you have installed and then firing up mission control just so you have something to complain about. Just like the guy in the other post talking about how slow animation was switching between TWENTY safari windows. Who the hell opens 20 safari windows on a regular basis?! Everytime I see these threads I want to vomit.

You're contradicting yourself... you just claimed that people should wait a week and that the lag will disappear with ML, then you go on to say how lag still exists in ML...

And for the record, I have mail, safari with just two tabs, iTunes open, nothing else. Lags when I do expose, switch between spaces, which are absolutely basic functions of Lion and ML.

I was simply trying to look for a solution and advice to what I should do, just don't read the thread if it bothers you so much, it's just spamming the thread with unhelpful thoughts.

 

[Aodhan]

There are a number of reasons I went with the 2012 MBP over the MBPR, but Smooth scrolling never even showed up on the radar. The fact that nothing can be replaced or upgraded was the deal breaker for me. Also I felt the enormous pixel density would be a liability to the graphics card.

But smooth scrolling? I use my MBP on a 1920x1080 23-inch monitor and it does not scroll smoothly. I didn't even notice it until I started reading these threads. For me the only concern might be WHY it doesn't scroll smoothly. But it seems to be taken care of in ML, or so I have heard.

 

[PaulAtkinson]

If lag matters, then go another route.

I have had my rMBP for a couple weeks, and the lag (mostly in FB) is obvious to me (now that I am looking for it). Frankly, I don't care that it doesn't scroll smoothly. I can see why some people are bothered by this, but I don't count myself in that group.

I love the rMBP for the lightning fast start-up, instant application launches, optimized Aperture photograph processing, and unmatched clarity of reading text using Chrome. If FB or any other web page lags with scrolling, it has NO bearing on any of these issues for me, so I am a happy customer.