Waiting for Haswell MBP Mega Thread

[jafingi]

I'm running Mavericks DP4 with 16GB on my 15" rMBP, and I constantly see 9-10GB RAM use WITHOUT activating any VM (running VM brings that to 12-13GB).

So why is it that people don't need 16GB RAM again?

Granted, not everyone will see that much use, but Mavericks is not a magical fix for those who do need that amount of RAM.

Edit: Activity Monitor...

Memory compression doesn't work all the time. And just to say... disregarding cached memory (for closed applications), with just Safari, Mail, iTunes, and Finder open, it's already 5.6GB.

Dude! You seriously have to learn about how OSX does its memory management!

You have to know the difference between active memory and passive memory.

Once you fire up a VM, you quickly allocate a lot of gigs of memory, and when you close it, that memory is still allocated, but it is now passive, and not active. If you should fire up another application that needs those extra GB, it will re-allocate that passive memory to the active application.

So, why have passive memory? A good example is Photoshop. Do a cold reboot, and fire up Photoshop. It will take about 5-10 seconds for it to load. Now close Photoshop, and open it again. Now it will launch almost instantaneously. This is due to the passive memory.

All the resources that Photoshop needs (or, in your case; VM's) are already in the memory, but is passive. This allows for OSX to quickly make that memory active, thus minimizing load time.

16 GB is more than enough, even when running several VM's. You have to do some really really heavy in a VM for it to use that much memory. Of course everyone have different needs, but I think that about 80% of all customers doesn't need more than 16GB of RAM. Still, Apple could do an 32GB option for those who really need it.

But many people in here just make it sound like 32GB is a must, and you can't live without it, while only a fraction of all users will ever need it.

 

[Jordan-D]

Its official for 15" rMBP will have 760 1gb vRam 256 SSD base model 8Gb Ram starting from 1899$

I'd like this to be true, a $300 price drop would make the rMBP 15" really attractive for buyers

 

[xxskorpion88xx]

Why 300 price drop? It sounds strange
But if your words are true I will buy that hardware configuration

 

[bill-p]

Dude! You seriously have to learn about how OSX does its memory management!

You have to know the difference between active memory and passive memory.

Mavericks does not show those anymore. Please refer to the screenshot above.

16 GB is more than enough, even when running several VM's. You have to do some really really heavy in a VM for it to use that much memory. Of course everyone have different needs, but I think that about 80% of all customers doesn't need more than 16GB of RAM. Still, Apple could do an 32GB option for those who really need it.

But many people in here just make it sound like 32GB is a must, and you can't live without it, while only a fraction of all users will ever need it.

You probably haven't owned a Retina MacBook.

Apps that are optimized for the Retina display use more memory when running at Retina resolution because they need to cache higher resolution graphics assets for the interface. Specifically, graphics assets can take up to 4x the memory because they are 4x bigger.

As a result, running the same applications on a Retina MacBook actually use up more memory than on a regular MacBook. I have done a comparison to the unibody non-Retina MacBooks already, and that was the case.

Why else do you think Retina MacBooks come default with 8GB instead of 4GB?

 

[macshoair]

Mavericks does not show those anymore. Please refer to the screenshot above.



You probably haven't owned a Retina MacBook.

Apps that are optimized for the Retina display use more memory when running at Retina resolution because they need to cache higher resolution graphics assets for the interface. Specifically, graphics assets can take up to 4x the memory because they are 4x bigger.

As a result, running the same applications on a Retina MacBook actually use up more memory than on a regular MacBook. I have done a comparison to the unibody non-Retina MacBooks already, and that was the case.

Why else do you think Retina MacBooks come default with 8GB instead of 4GB?

Makes sense to me! That's actually a good discussion along others to entertain our time while waitif for the haswell machines. I guess this argument can change my decision to get the 8GB RAM to get the 16GB instead. I don't do gaming or photo/video editing. Do you think it will still be am asset on the long-term even if it is not needed per se?!

 

[ka-spot]

Apps that are optimized for the Retina display use more memory when running at Retina resolution because they need to cache higher resolution graphics assets for the interface. Specifically, graphics assets can take up to 4x the memory because they are 4x bigger.

What if I'm using "best for retina"? Do I need 128TB RAM, or I'll be fine with 8GB (retina 13") ?

 

[applepie555]

Waiting for Haswell MBP Mega Thread

What if I'm using "best for retina"? Do I need 128TB RAM, or I'll be fine with 8GB (retina 13") ?

128TB is a lot of ram...

 

[TheSadUniStuden]

This is gunna piss some people off.

So I've been with this thread for a really long time, not as long as some of you people...but long enough to know all the little rumors and all the "sought after specs". I've been without a laptop since two weeks before WWDC, I originally had a mid 2010 13 inch. But with fearing the price would plummet once the new macbook pro was released I ultimately sold it to some chum on ebay. Little did I know it would be me who was the chum - Ha. Anyway, today I finally gave up and decided to start looking at the current models. I cannot wait any longer as I am going off to University the first week of September -and with a lot of people set on an October release I caved- I headed on over to my local bestbuy to take a look at the differences between the screen sizes of the 13inch and 15inch. I had the money for either so thought I'd see if I was comfortable enough with the big 15. Anyway once I was there, I was bombarded with bestbuy geeks asking if they could help, to each I replied "just looking". Until some guy came up to me and started talking about the models. He wasn't the normal bestbuy employee, he was dressed in all black with an apple logo patch on his shirt. I told him about how I was looking at the current models as I couldn't wait until October for Haswell. To which he replied that both apple and bestbuy would be selling them at the same time a week before September (I didn't even tell him about Uni). He then went on to say that from what he's been told the update will only increase the battery by 45min-1hour. And that there definitely wont be a dGPU. He said apple wants to have the new macbooks released just before the BTS event closes. That the first issue will be shipped out with mountain lion, until they run out of their first batch of stock pile. Then they're going to start stock piling mavericks for when that is released and ship new ones from then on. Is this guy just spewing info out his ass? I'm not trying to ad to the rumor bin...I just want to know if this holds any truth? Why would he tell me to wait for the new Haswell while I am in the store just about to buy the current product? Thanks

 

[nickandre21]

Mavericks does not show those anymore. Please refer to the screenshot above.



You probably haven't owned a Retina MacBook.

Apps that are optimized for the Retina display use more memory when running at Retina resolution because they need to cache higher resolution graphics assets for the interface. Specifically, graphics assets can take up to 4x the memory because they are 4x bigger.

As a result, running the same applications on a Retina MacBook actually use up more memory than on a regular MacBook. I have done a comparison to the unibody non-Retina MacBooks already, and that was the case.

Why else do you think Retina MacBooks come default with 8GB instead of 4GB?

so that's why my cMbp never used more then 6-7 gb of my 8gb ram. Here on my retina with 16gb of ram i have around 5-7 gb free glad i chose the 16gb

 

[McFreggle]

Until some guy came up to me and started talking about the models. He wasn't the normal bestbuy employee, he was dressed in all black with an apple logo patch on his shirt. I told him about how I was looking at the current models as I couldn't wait until October for Haswell. To which he replied that both apple and bestbuy would be selling them at the same time a week before September (I didn't even tell him about Uni). He then went on to say that from what he's been told the update will only increase the battery by 45min-1hour. And that there definitely wont be a dGPU. He said apple wants to have the new macbooks released just before the BTS event closes. That the first issue will be shipped out with mountain lion, until they run out of their first batch of stock pile. Then they're going to start stock piling mavericks for when that is released and ship new ones from then on. Is this guy just spewing info out his ass?

I don't believe him. Unless he looked like this:

 

[Stetrain]

Is this guy just spewing info out his ass? I'm not trying to ad to the rumor bin...I just want to know if this holds any truth? Why would he tell me to wait for the new Haswell while I am in the store just about to buy the current product? Thanks

Sounds like an interested Apple retail worker who reads the rumor blogs (and probably these forums) and is just making educated guesses like the rest of us.

 

[adjeff8]

Why 300 price drop? It sounds strange
But if your words are true I will buy that hardware configuration

A $300 price drop for the base 15" with no dGPU is a very real possibility

 

[Jordan-D]

A $300 price drop for the base 15" with no dGPU is a very real possibility

From what Serban said there would be a dGPU

 

[xxskorpion88xx]

At this point I think about 2 model:
1 with igpu and processor 659$ hq series TSP 55w
2 with 760m(50w) and processor 430$ MX series(47w) total 90w (considering igzo save power) like tdp rmbp on market

1 focused on life battery about 11 hours
2 8 hours battery with performance

But discount.. How can be possible?

 

[ka-spot]

At this point I think about 2 model:
1 with igpu and processor 659$ hq series
2 with 760m and processor 430$ MX series

But discount.. How can be possible?

No worries! Specially for you $500 discount (bird told me). Just go to the store and ask for it!

 

[bbapps]

At this point I think about 2 model:
1 with igpu and processor 659$ hq series
2 with 760m and processor 430$ MX series

But discount.. How can be possible?

Apple needs to create another line of laptops..

1. MacBook Air - Ultra Class
2. MacBook Retina - Ultra Pro Class
3. MacBook Retina - Workstation Pro Class

 

[applepie555]

Waiting for Haswell MBP Mega Thread

Just saw
http://www.ibtimes.com/apples-new-r...ed-october-launch-high-end-haswell-processors

It claims an October launch with an Iris Pro cpu and no price changes.

 

[vtors7]

So i'm going to be an incoming freshman into college this August and am buying a laptop for school. I really want to wait until the new Haswell rMBP comes out to get it but I see that it's probably not going to happen before school starts. Even if it does come out in August, the shipping time will probably defeat the purpose of having it before school anyway. So I think i'm going to cave in and settle with a 15" rMBP 512GB ssd/8gb ram/2.7ghz. It's pretty annoying that Apple keeps pulling it off but whatever.

 

[Pentad]

16 GB is more than enough, even when running several VM's.

Spoken like a true novice...

 

[ka-spot]

Just saw
http://www.ibtimes.com/apples-new-r...ed-october-launch-high-end-haswell-processors

It claims an October launch with an Iris Pro cpu and no price changes.

I like the word "report". Aaand all this was on the first page of some site for mac rumors before that report gay can report it. Funny report

 

[APPLE-FANATIC]

The delay is still all about the dang screen?? Thats in every freaking report......this cant be the only thing holding up the release. I hope we all are pleasantly surprised when they do actually release the new line.

 

[MisterITGuy]

You know, this price drop thing is actually an interesting idea.

I know it's all speculation, but think of it this way -- The new Airs are cheaper than the base mid-2011 I had bought new. There's endless talk about iPhone "C" (cheap?) and a 5S to compliment the iPhone lineup and such. A refreshed rMBP lineup with lower prices seems like a very consistent growth strategy with the changes being made to the other product lines. iGPU may be exactly what Apple needs to get the price point lower on the new retina machines.

That being said, if they go that route and in fact have to sell us on how no 650m is actually a great thing, and how the 13" rMBP is now a more powerful machine, they're going to have a lot less convincing to do if it comes out as "Oh! And 'all day' battery and $xxx less!!"....

It actually makes sense.

 

[ValSalva]

Sounds like an interested Apple retail worker who reads the rumor blogs (and probably these forums) and is just making educated guesses like the rest of us.

And is someone who wants to seem important.

 

[bill-p]

Makes sense to me! That's actually a good discussion along others to entertain our time while waitif for the haswell machines. I guess this argument can change my decision to get the 8GB RAM to get the 16GB instead. I don't do gaming or photo/video editing. Do you think it will still be am asset on the long-term even if it is not needed per se?!

Gaming actually doesn't use up that much memory. It's mostly just photo/video works that eat up memory.

I'm not sure how "long-term" it would be for your use since things change. Apps will still be updated to better support Apple's new Retina computers, so they may use even more memory down the line, or maybe they'll use less when the developer has figured out how to more efficiently optimize assets caching.

For general use (web-browsing, iTunes, word processing), I see somewhere along the lines of 5-6.5GB of used memory, so if that's your usage, then I don't think you have to worry about anything.

I actually switched over to 16GB after a while because my work was just getting more and more demanding over time. But otherwise, I would have been fine with 8GB for light development work.

What if I'm using "best for retina"? Do I need 128TB RAM, or I'll be fine with 8GB (retina 13") ?

Using "best for Retina" does use slightly less memory because there is no scaling required for the framebuffer compared to higher scaled modes, but in general, running at Retina resolution just uses more memory.

And plugging an external display in actually doesn't help any (wow!) even when the external display is the only one that's displaying anything, and the Retina display is completely off the map. It seems like Apple hard-code Retina MacBooks to actually tell the app to always use Retina assets.

 

[ChildishGambino]

From what Serban said there would be a dGPU

Does Serban have a track record of knowing privileged information?