What is the point of having Retina Display?

[surjavarman]

Seriously, a better machine? For some people, including myself who use a retina display iPad, the rmbp isn't a big deal. Having an Ethernet port, the ability to upgrade, an anti-glare screen, a slot lock is. At least it was for me.
I could have spent the same amount of money on a 2.3 rmbp with 16gb as I did on my 2012 2.6. But I considered the unibody a better machine for my use. If I need retina I'll use my iPad, if I need power, I'll use my 2012 unibody.

The RMBP has an ethernet port. You just need an extra cable. You can get 16gb for your RMBP if you want. I doubt you will ever 16gb in the next 5-6 years. Furthermore you can get a 768gb ssd and btw the ssd is also replaceable. So the ability to upgrade is a moot point. And what is a slot lock? Do you mean those kensington locks?

I am sorry but I think you made a stupid mistake by buying the old MBP. There just is no reason to get it. And your ipad comparison doesn't make any sense at all. First of al the RMBP is a notebook with a full fletched OS. The ipad is a 10 inch tablet. The RMBP has a bigger screen and is the more productive machine of the two. Anytime you are using your notebook you are going to benefit from the retina screen.

 

[kdoug]

The RMBP has an ethernet port. You just need an extra cable. You can get 16gb for your RMBP if you want. I doubt you will ever 16gb in the next 5-6 years. Furthermore you can get a 768gb ssd and btw the ssd is also replaceable. So the ability to upgrade is a moot point. And what is a slot lock? Do you mean those kensington locks?

I am sorry but I think you made a stupid mistake by buying the old MBP. There just is no reason to get it. And your ipad comparison doesn't make any sense at all. First of al the RMBP is a notebook with a full fletched OS. The ipad is a 10 inch tablet. The RMBP has a bigger screen and is the more productive machine of the two. Anytime you are using your notebook you are going to benefit from the retina screen.

Old MBP? I'm sorry I thought apple came out with it the day they introduced the over-hyped rmbp. Back to my original thread, how exactly are you going to upgrade the memory or the hard drive AFTER the purchase? How are you going to keep it frow walking away at the office? When it does need repairs how long will it be gone and who's qualified to to it. As I said before, no anti- glare screen, no Ethernet port, no lock and not upgradable. I'm glad you jumped on the band wagon, I hope it works out well for you.

 

[aristobrat]

As I said before, no anti- glare screen, no Ethernet port, no lock and not upgradable. I'm glad you jumped on the band wagon.

The Airs have been using this design for half-a-decade now. Is it really still "jumping on the bandwagon" to like this design?

 

[powsucks]

For me personally, as I only do light photo editing, lot of word processing, internet etc, I havn't gone for the retina, even though I have seen it and it's very nice. It's just for me, there are more important things in life than a computer. I've just bought an MBA which will be hooked up to my external monitor. The money saved will pay for me to travel round Europe on the interrail for 3 weeks with my mates, which just happens to coincide with Oktoberfest. Life is for living, if you don't need it, spend the money on somethng more imporant. Just IMO

 

[JohnDoe98]

Untill main apps like mentioned above are updated, you are left in the odd situation where you have the sharpest screen ever made, which displays the vast majority of content in a worse, blurrier form compared to standard notebooks. I wouldn't hold my breath either for a company like Microsoft to swiftly update their Office suite.

The vast majority of content? That's a little extreme. I'd vast the majority happen throughout the entire OS. A significant part, yes. Perhaps the most significant part? Surely. I think we will see an iWork update and possibly a photoshop update fairly quickly. Office, unlikely.

 

[ThisIsMe]

Wow! What kind of question is this?

 

[NeilSpoon]

The vast majority of content? That's a little extreme. I'd vast the majority happen throughout the entire OS. A significant part, yes. Perhaps the most significant part? Surely. I think we will see an iWork update and possibly a photoshop update fairly quickly. Office, unlikely.

Ok, perhaps not the vast majority per se, but definitely a large part of productivity apps. If you buy it now I wish you all the best. But for me, spending that much money on something that is not working (yet) as they make you believe it works is not a wise move. I will definitely keep my eyes on this forum and user feedback. Once apps are updated, I will reconsider

 

[The "Dude"]

Ok, perhaps not the vast majority per se, but definitely a large part of productivity apps. If you buy it now I wish you all the best. But for me, spending that much money on something that is not working (yet) as they make you believe it works is not a wise move. I will definitely keep my eyes on this forum and user feedback. Once apps are updated, I will reconsider

This forum is the last place you should keep your eyes. I haven't seen a single review yet that is below 4 out of 5 stars for this machine. Yet, reading here would have you believe it's the Yugo of computers.

 

[igiboi]

I didn't care before about retina screens or whatever, and I'm very picky about my gadgets. Then comes the time when I switched from my HTC desire to an Iphone 4, then to the 4S..then got an ipad2 then used the 3rd gen Ipad then boom! i can't come back to the ipad2 cos it looks crappy. But when it comes to a laptop, I dont really care.. tho its just my opinion.. I needed portability, and 1280x800 is enough for me. It just matters which one should I get, 13" mbp or the 13" air. But yeah, I believe that 15" RMbp is worth the money, its like buying a HDTV coming from a CRT. The Costs can just justify to what you can see.

 

[JohnDoe98]

Ok, perhaps not the vast majority per se, but definitely a large part of productivity apps. If you buy it now I wish you all the best. But for me, spending that much money on something that is not working (yet) as they make you believe it works is not a wise move. I will definitely keep my eyes on this forum and user feedback. Once apps are updated, I will reconsider

That's a very sensible attitude to take, and certainly demonstrates keen customer awareness by informing yourself fully of your needs before purchasing. I'd take issue though with your claim that Apple is being misleading. There is a section on the features page that explicitly tells you which Apple software is Retina-Ready. That being said, there is no footnote right now saying that third-party apps need to be programmed specifically to take advantage of the Retina display, so I expect a lawsuit to emerge very soon.

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But yeah, I believe that 15" RMbp is worth the money, its like buying a HDTV coming from a CRT. The Costs can just justify to what you can see.

It's better. You don't work all day on your HDTV. Maybe if you are retired and watch TV all day then the analogy would be spot on, but right now I think the analogy doesn't do full justice, nor does the iPad comparison. I've seen all those transitions, and though they certainly impressed me, this upgrade is FAR more significant in my mind. But anyway, I should stop expressing my praise, people will begin to think I have an axe to grind.

 

[jcpb]

Back to my original thread, how exactly are you going to upgrade the memory or the hard drive AFTER the purchase?

Didn't need to. WWDC slides alone gave enough clues what is upgradeable after the fact and what can't. I don't need iFixit unless I'm doing open heart surgery or buying their specialized tools.

Apple asked the public how they'd feel if they can't upgrade pretty much anything in exchange of getting a computer sharp enough to slice bread. The public overwhelmingly approved the MBA with their wallets. Lack of upgradeability did nothing to the MBPR, some people have to wait until mid-July to get theirs. Again, the public approved with their wallets.

How are you going to keep it frow walking away at the office?

All that a Kensington Lock does is delay the chances of your laptop being stolen. If someone is hellbent on ganking it off your cold dead hands, they will.

As I said before, no anti- glare screen, no Ethernet port, no lock and not upgradable. I'm glad you jumped on the band wagon, I hope it works out well for you.

The reflections are a lot less noticeable than regular glossy screens.

No Ethernet... unfortunately for you, most of the public don't care. If they do, there's a $30 adapter from Apple.

No lock... again, do you really think a Kensington Lock buys you a peace of mind? I trust my concealed carry far more than my laptop when it comes to security, but if I'm forced to, my MBPR can double as an assault weapon and Kevlar vest in one.

Not upgradeable, like that ever killed the MBAs.

 

[NeilSpoon]

This forum is the last place you should keep your eyes. I haven't seen a single review yet that is below 4 out of 5 stars for this machine. Yet, reading here would have you believe it's the Yugo of computers.

Lol, I have noticed. But I can look through all that. What I meant was that I will just keep track of what gets updated and "fixed"

 

[wiznet]

As said, your argument is definitely flawed. I'm typing on a 22" ViewSonic monitor, waiting for my Retina Macbook Pro, and I can clearly, and I will say clearly distinguish pixels, especially when looking at text!

I have a 15" Dell laptop, and I can't stand the damn thing anymore, just because of the fact I've tried the Retina Macbook pro. The difference is unbelievable.

 

[Bradllez]

What's the point of having a display at all?

I think we should all go back to typewriters.

 

[Lagmonster]

I am on my Air now and I can easily see individual pixels. I can't even look at an iPad2 now. Ruined me.

 

[jcpb]

Sticks and stones.

 

[andylaiphoto]

Obviously you have never seen a RMBP. Once you see it, there's no turning back.

I saw it and wasn't that impressed. I would much prefer a Retina Cinema Display. Makes no sense for me to have a Retina MacBook when all my editing is done on an external monitor.

 

[Power Macintosh]

its like going from sdtv to hdtv.

Now this is the answer I'm looking for.

 

[photosaurus]

If you sell photos, you do a hell of a lot of pixel peeping and guessing on a laptop screen. You have to view your photos one little piece at a time at 100%. The Retina screen should make this process a lot less painful and a lot more accurate on the go.

If you've got good eyes, and you've ever done any software development on a 15 inch low res laptop, you'll quickly realize how nice it will be to have the option of increasing your screen real-estate for working.

For your typical facebook, web junky.. it's just cooler and more pretty. If you've got the money, why not.

 

[Spicedham]

Now this is the answer I'm looking for.

been using mine for a week. you have to use it to realize the difference. most people on here don't have one and explain with theories they came to from reading stuff online. it's hard to go back to a standard screen after using the retina screen for a while. everything looks fuzzy.

 

[Panini]

Do you have a 1080p TV or a 720p TV?

 

[b0blndsy]

Now this is the answer I'm looking for.

Perfect analogy. Apple won't be doing all these upgrades for no reason and I think this Retina innovation is the future that will greatly benefit photographers, graphic designers, filmmakers ad infinitum.

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For your typical facebook, web junky.. it's just cooler and more pretty. If you've got the money, why not.

If I've got that much money I'd get all my electronics Retina-ized!

 

[jshbckr]

I think it's hilarious to see people comparing the non-upgradable nature of the rMBP to the MBA. The MacBook Air is a consumer device. Does my wife ever need more than 4GB of RAM? No. Will she ever need more storage? Unlikely. With Netflix and Hulu and drop in DVD usage, it makes sense to lose support for hard drive space and lose the DVD drive.

But when it comes to the MacBook Pro, it doesn't make as much sense to make these changes. To the people saying you'll never need 16gb in the next 5-6 years... Tell that to people running After Effects and Cinema 4D. The new MacBook Pro is more powerful than my 8-core Mac Pro. At work the other day, I was using of my 16gb of RAM in the Mac Pro (13mb remaining, according to Activity Monitor). On top of user replaceable RAM, I can put my own SSD in the MBP. I even pull the SuperDrive out and put in a second hard drive! Having 750GB of storage in addition to my SSD, all internal, is much more convenient than hauling around the retina MacBook Pro and an external drive.

That said, the retina display is incredible. I'd love to have it, but I'm waiting for a few updates so software is all up to date and kinks are worked out.

I get the feeling that a lot of people on this forum are buying the rMBP, but what they really need is a 15" retina MacBook Air... There is no "Pro" involved.