Waiting for Haswell MBP Mega Thread

[mcarling]

And why is that?
I would have thought it the other way round.

The price of DRAM and SSD fall faster over time than the general fall in the cost of computers.

Well thanks for the tip. Problem is, I was counting on using it longer than a year and I really do need a big ssd so I can have my large LR-catalogue plus previews on it and still be able to work efficiently. Plus I'm planning to install Win7 too, so I don't think I'd be happy with the base model. So it wouldn't make any sense for me, would it?

Yes, of course, buy as much DRAM and SSD as you need. Just don't buy more than you need in the hope that it will increase your future resale value. You can replace the SSD with a more capacious model in the future, but newer laptops have permanently fixed DRAM which cannot be upgraded after purchase.

I recommend experimenting before purchasing to determine whether 8GB is sufficient for your uses or whether you will need 16GB. For my uses, 4GB results in quite a lot of swapping but 8GB results in zero swapping so, for me, it doesn't make sense to pay $200 extra for the upgrade to 16GB. It might or might not make sense for you.

With the Ivy Bridge rMBPs, the 13" models all have 8GB while the 15" models have 8GB or 16GB. I think there is a good chance that the 13" Haswell rMBP will have a 16GB BTO option. It's possible, but I don't really expect, that the 15" Haswell rMBPs will all have 16GB. I don't see any plausible chance for a Haswell rMBP with a 32GB option -- unless Apple introduce a 17" rMBP.

 

[Gilmore Girl]

The price of DRAM and SSD fall faster over time than the general fall in the cost of computers.


Yes, of course, buy as much DRAM and SSD as you need. Just don't buy more than you need in the hope that it will increase your future resale value. You can replace the SSD with a more capacious model in the future, but newer laptops have permanently fixed DRAM which cannot be upgraded after purchase.

I recommend experimenting before purchasing to determine whether 8GB is sufficient for your uses or whether you will need 16GB. For my uses, 4GB results in quite a lot of swapping but 8GB results in zero swapping so, for me, it doesn't make sense to pay $200 extra for the upgrade to 16GB. It might or might not make sense for you.

With the Ivy Bridge rMBPs, the 13" models all have 8GB while the 15" models have 8GB or 16GB. I think there is a good chance that the 13" Haswell rMBP will have a 16GB BTO option. It's possible, but I don't really expect, that the 15" Haswell rMBPs will all have 16GB. I don't see any plausible chance for a Haswell rMBP with a 32GB option -- unless Apple introduce a 17" rMBP.

As I am aiming for the retina MBP there wont be the chance to upgrade. And if by experimenting you mean to buy and send back I'm not sure that makes sense as the computer will be very fast oob but what counts is if it will be still fast in a year or two. So I'd rather invest some money and get a more "futureproof" (I know there is no such thing) MBP that will also support LR6 and LR7 in an efficient way when they come. Do you think I can get there if I get 16GB and a 512GB SSD?
Or would you say to follow your path to get 8+256 for now and upgrade in a year if necessary? And where is it that you sell your "yearlings"? Do you think that strategy might work in Germany too?
Oh it's so hard to buy my first MBP...

 

[mcarling]

As I am aiming for the retina MBP there wont be the chance to upgrade.

Again, the SSDs are upgradable later; only the DRAM is not.

And if by experimenting you mean to buy and send back I'm not sure that makes sense as the computer will be very fast oob but what counts is if it will be still fast in a year or two.

No, I mean go to an Apple store (if you can't borrow one from a friend) and spend 30 to 60 minutes running whatever software you normally run. If an 8GB machine is swapping during this time, then get a 16GB machine.

Do you think I can get there if I get 16GB and a 512GB SSD?
Or would you say to follow your path to get 8+256 for now and upgrade in a year if necessary?

It really depends on your personal usage. I cannot guess that for you.

And where is it that you sell your "yearlings"? Do you think that strategy might work in Germany too?

I buy in the States and sell in Europe.

 

[Stef4n]

Well thanks for the tip. Problem is, I was counting on using it longer than a year and I really do need a big ssd so I can have my large LR-catalogue plus previews on it and still be able to work efficiently. Plus I'm planning to install Win7 too, so I don't think I'd be happy with the base model. So it wouldn't make any sense for me, would it?

Yes, if you have to run Win7, you have to go for 256gb, you are right. That was the reason why I've upgraded my SSD, too.

But still, don't get any scratches, clean it before you sell it make nice pictures, offer people to have a look at it before they buy it. Even if they won't do it, it creates trust. Most people don't buy used Apple products because there are many people trying to fool you with, on the buyer's as well as on the seller's side.

Edit: If you plan to buy a new Macbook within 24 month, I would stick to 8gb ram. It is sufficient for 99% of the cases.

My resell strategy is working for Germany. I buy and sell them in Germany.

Changing the SSD-option as mcarling already mentioned is quite easy: http://www.heise.de/video/artikel/P...Pro-Retina-Wechsel-der-Blade-SSD-1854500.html (in German)

 

[Quu]

I do wonder if there is any truth to this 4K Rumour from Buisnessweek posted a few pages back. Would give an effective working area of 1920x1200 while maintaining optimum retina pixel doubling quality.

 

[ValSalva]

I do wonder if there is any truth to this 4K Rumour from Buisnessweek posted a few pages back. Would give an effective working area of 1920x1200 while maintaining optimum retina pixel doubling quality.

It would be a beautiful display for a 17" rMBP. I think a native 1920x1200 on a 15" display makes menu and UI items too small. Of course with a pixel density that high it would scale to lower resolutions without looking lousy.

I'd settle on having the equivalent of the old high-res 1680x1050 native resolution 15" rMBP. But these are all probably unlikely, especially the 17" rMBP.

 

[yangchewren]

Can't wait for the new Haswell MBP to be released. I am getting it for free once it comes out. Probably will get the maxed out version just for fun (1TB flash storage here I come!)

I'll probably be using it for menial activities such as surfing facebook

 

[zOlid]

Any one seen any tests comparing the new iMac's?
comparing the Iris pro model vs the 750 model would give almost a perfect comparison of how the rMBP will perform if it gets Iris Pro or 750 (or such).

At introduction, I guess the price would be in the $3000 to $4000 range. My recollection is that the introductory price of Apple's 30" Cinema Display was $3499.


To start, only a fraction of one percent of potential buyers of 15" rMBPs even know what a GPU is, so that sets an upper limit on the number who would refuse to buy one without a discrete GPU. Of those who know what a GPU is, only a fraction know the difference between an integrated GPU and a discrete GPU. Only a fraction of those know enough about the advantages and disadvantages to have a preference for one or the other. Of the tiny, tiny fraction of one percent of potential buyers who have a preference, few would care more about that one preference than, for example, OS X versus MS Windows or Linux.

Both of you are just speculating.
But a half % seems way to low.
Even if all people are not informed about performance, there is A LOT of people who are informed. Half of a % seems like a gross understatement. And you better believe that if the new rMBP is slower then the Ivy Bridge model that will create articles on news sites and people read those.

 

[powerslave12r]

No, don't go! Stay with us!

I'm not going anywhere until I have an rMBP haswell in my hands.

 

[brandonx76]

Can't wait for the new Haswell MBP to be released. I am getting it for free once it comes out. Probably will get the maxed out version just for fun (1TB flash storage here I come!)

I'll probably be using it for menial activities such as surfing facebook

The troll is strong in this one...

 

[redtape]

I would be happy if they release the (supposed) new rMBP's before black friday. I think, (and correct me if I'm wrong), that last time they lowered the price about a 100 dollars on the rMBP's... right?

 

[Gilmore Girl]

Again, the SSDs are upgradable later; only the DRAM is not.

Oh, didn´t know that. I thought the whole body was smolderd/glued together in a way that made it impossible to change anything. What about the guaranty?

I haven´t opened a PC for a very long time, and never before a laptop. I opened my childrens turntable once and never put it back together. One of my lesser childhood traumata

----------

No, I mean go to an Apple store (if you can't borrow one from a friend) and spend 30 to 60 minutes running whatever software you normally run. If an 8GB machine is swapping during this time, then get a 16GB machine.

.

and I have to ask:
What ist swapping and how do I see if a computer is doing it?

----------

I'm not going anywhere until I have an rMBP haswell in my hands.

Good to hear.
Although that must mean the mac-virus fought his way back to you.
What about that poor unloved Dell? Have you found it a good home?

 

[tmoney468]

----------

[/COLOR]

and I have to ask:
What ist swapping and how do I see if a computer is doing it?

I believe when the memory on the computer is full, it then stores inactive items on the local drive (HD or SSD). This basically slows down your computer as it has to read/write to a slower drive in order to access all of your open apps/data.

 

[powerslave12r]

Good to hear.
Although that must mean the mac-virus fought his way back to you.
What about that poor unloved Dell? Have you found it a good home?

It's listed on craigslist and will be sold to the first buyer who makes an offer.

 

[PDFierro]

I'm not going anywhere until I have an rMBP haswell in my hands.

At least someone else is riding it out!

 

[mcarling]

What ist swapping and how do I see if a computer is doing it?

Das ist Paging auf Deutsch.

There is an application called Activity Monitor. It is located in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder. There are five views; click on System Memory. The most interesting datum is Page outs, which you want to be 0. Also look at Free: memory, which you want to be at least 1 GB (to have a margin). It is important to reboot the computer before running your test. Be sure to run every application that you would normally use most days, including opening as many browser tabs as you would normally open. If your testing on an 8GB MBP shows Page outs greater than 0 or Free: memory substantially less than 1 GB, then I would recommend getting the 16GB option.

 

[Gilmore Girl]

Danke
I´ll try that in the apple store next week. A nice way to fill the waiting time...
pages out : 0, free memory >1GB. Thanks a lot!

 

[mcarling]

My 2010 MBP with 8GB shows:
Free: 1.14 GB
Wired: 1.06 GB
Active: 3.48 GB
Inactive: 2.31 GB

VM size: 254.58 GB
Page ins: 621.6 MB (0 bytes/sec)
Page outs: 0 bytes (0 bytes/sec)
Swap used: 83.8 MB

The above looks good. When I had 4GB, it was not good. 16GB wouldn't do anything for me, based on my usage.

 

[Koulie]

This thread is almost 100 posts away from the "I just ordered / bought / got my new/refurb MBP" thread!

If my numerology proves to be correct, Apple with be announcing the new rMBP to coincide with the eclipse of the two Goliath threads in order to restore balance in humanity.
They will then repeat this release-schedule model with Broadwell and every release that comes after.

 

[GSPice]

2009 iMac, 3.06 GHz, 4GB memory

Free: 41 MB
Wired: 633 MB
Active: 1.79 GB
Inactive: 1.65 GB
Used 3.95 GB

VM Size: 260.94 GB
Page Ins: 2.63 GB
Page Outs: 4.07 GB
Swap Used: 4.94 GB

I am ready for Haswell.

 

[PDFierro]

This thread is almost 100 posts away from the "I just ordered / bought / got my new/refurb MBP" thread!

If my numerology proves to be correct, Apple with be announcing the new rMBP to coincide with the eclipse of the two Goliath threads in order to restore balance in humanity.
They will then repeat this release-schedule model with Broadwell and every release that comes after.

That's quite the theory.

 

[Uliman]

This thread is almost 100 posts away from the "I just ordered / bought / got my new/refurb MBP" thread!

If my numerology proves to be correct, Apple with be announcing the new rMBP to coincide with the eclipse of the two Goliath threads in order to restore balance in humanity.
They will then repeat this release-schedule model with Broadwell and every release that comes after.

In order for this to occur, both threads have to hit 8888 at the same time. Someone ought to jump over to the other thread and advise them of this!

 

[powerslave12r]

In order for this to occur, both threads have to hit 8888 at the same time. Someone ought to jump over to the other thread and advise them of this!

Does this mean I have to return that flux cap now?

 

[Krazy Bill]

So are you in for an upgrade as well? I thought your 2011 macbook was alright handling your RAW files. Or do you upgrade just for the fun of it?

I won't be upgrading to Haswell. My MB is only a little over 2 years old (Base model). Next year probably and I'm not even sure if I can justify that.

I often read between the lines that mobile isn´t as good/as fast as desktop stuff.

This is generally true. If you desire more processing power/speed then I'd recommend an iMac. (But you asked about the 13" MBP).

 

[Vanilla35]

This thread is almost 100 posts away from the "I just ordered / bought / got my new/refurb MBP" thread!

If my numerology proves to be correct, Apple with be announcing the new rMBP to coincide with the eclipse of the two Goliath threads in order to restore balance in humanity.
They will then repeat this release-schedule model with Broadwell and every release that comes after.

Kuo nods in approval