What's your opinion on the MacBook Pro not being a professional's computer?

[john123]

Yes, a non-existing one; this is why I've emphasized in my OP it'd be an "imaginary for example 4K 17" model".

Well, I'd argue that bemoaning the loss of something that doesn't exist isn't fruitful, because there's no guarantee it ever would have existed anyway. The problem is that cost doesn't scale linearly with size. So it's arguable that you wouldn't have even seen a 17" model yet. It would be an additional 21.9% more square inches, which is an awful lot of extra panel to get "right," especially when Retina screens were supply constrained out of the gate. Already, we know there are some manufacturing issues at play.

 

[edfoo]

If they stick to an SSD as a primary OS drive is, then, such an upgrade would be very costly. A 256SSD + 1TB HDD dual-spin combo (the one I have in my 17") is still far less expensive than even a single 512SSD, let alone a 768 one.

What? You have no problem spending $$$ on a 17" MBP yet you cannot afford a 512GB to 1TB SSD?

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I did explain in my original post that for 4+ weeks a year I simply couldn't use external monitors because of the lack of current. I in no way implied this applies to most people.

Good, since it only applies to you alone, then stop saying Apple no longer making the 17" MBP so now MBP is no longer a professional's computer.

 

[Menneisyys2]

What? You have no problem spending $$$ on a 17" MBP yet you cannot afford a 512GB to 1TB SSD?

1. Why should I waste $500+ on something that I could have for much-much less and
2. at a much greater storage capacity? Again, you can't get any SSD over 768 Gbytes, while you can get an additional 1TB HDD for the drive bay for $100. That, together with even a 256GB SSD, provides way more storage than even a 768GB SSD - for third the price. And I have no external drives to forget to bring with me.

 

[MacSumo]

1. Why should I waste $500+ on something that I could have for much-much less and
2. at a much greater storage capacity? Again, you can't get any SSD over 768 Gbytes, while you can get an additional 1TB HDD for the drive bay for $100. That, together with even a 256GB SSD, provides way more storage than even a 768GB SSD - for third the price. And I have no external drives to forget to bring with me.

the rMBP has a PCIe SSD, and I haven't found a price that beats their 512 or 1024GB storage versions.

 

[undesign]

1. Why should I waste $500+ on something that I could have for much-much less and
2. at a much greater storage capacity? Again, you can't get any SSD over 768 Gbytes, while you can get an additional 1TB HDD for the drive bay for $100. That, together with even a 256GB SSD, provides way more storage than even a 768GB SSD - for third the price. And I have no external drives to forget to bring with me.

Actually you can:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2W014B1465

However, you are correct about your $500+ complain, as that is basically how much a 1TB SSD drive would cost extra.

 

[Freyqq]

Any computer can be a professional computer if you use it professionally...

If the specs are adequate for the task, then it can get the job done.

 

[undesign]

Any computer can be a professional computer if you use it professionally...

If the specs are adequate for the task, then it can get the job done.

It's a tool. Most of the time you'll be using it to sell your product or service to a client. Doesnt matter WHAT tool you use as long as the end result is the one thats desired.

 

[canhaz]

Mostly agree with the general sentiment of the OP, despite the strong emotion. There is a general trend to cut out the professional and instead aiming for consumer or prosumer market. Anyone remember the Final Cut Pro debacle?

It seem's outside the bubble of MR, others hold similar views.

For example look at this discussion regarding 4K monitors and the MBP.

http://www.extremetech.com/gaming/1...t-powerful-enough-to-use-it#comment-919052489

Lastly point, it's really quite well known that many MBP's models have poor thermal and noise design. CPU throttling is a common issue, especially on the i7 models with higher clocks and under certain conditions exceeding TDP. The CPU should never throttle simply because it's working hard (or used as intended). If it can't handle the load, then don't clock it so high or design a better thermal management system.

 

[quimicos]

If an photographer is editing on a MBP, is that not satisfying a professional? It either does what you need it to do or it doesn't. You know who doesn't worry about these things? Professionals. They're too busy using the thing and not on forums playing with semantics.

 

[marivaux]

It seem's outside the bubble of MR, others hold similar views.

For example look at this discussion regarding 4K monitors and the MBP.

http://www.extremetech.com/gaming/1...t-powerful-enough-to-use-it#comment-919052489

Okay, I'll bite. What is it with quoting random posts as "evidence" of anything?

I actually don't hold the Macbook up as the necessary "best" computer out there, and it's definitely not the most powerful one that you can buy. However, the computer that the poster is comparing to the Macbook isn't a comparable computer--it starts at around $3000 and weighs about eight pounds:

http://www.amazon.com/Configure--De...86991548&sr=8-1&keywords=dell+precision+m6700

So, sure--there are more powerful notebooks out there, but not that many comparably affordable and portable ones. Some people need that 8-pound laptop--mainly some scientists and engineers (not all--my physicist friend is happy with his Macbook) a pretty small subset of graphics professionals, and some business users--I believe it is in the class known as "Enterprise Workstations"--but it's not universally beloved:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6512/dell-precision-m6700-notebook-review-the-enterprise-split/6

and not designed for the same market. It's true, I suppose, that Apple isn't all about making notebooks for the same people who need to lug around a Precision or Elitebook--but that is a relatively small crowd of users who need a semi-portable with an extremely powerful GPU. The Windows laptops that come in at a relatively comparable price and weight to Macbooks are, well, comparable.

 

[john123]

Anyone remember the Final Cut Pro debacle?

Except the OP is whining about hardware specifically on the laptop. Miscellaneous software, miscellaneous hardware, and even Apple's corporate direction really aren't applicable.

Lastly point, it's really quite well known that many MBP's models have poor thermal and noise design.

I can't agree with this assessment, because it distorts the objective evidence to make a subjective claim. Objectively, the thermal paste is weak and poorly applied, the heat sinks could be better constructed. Practically, this doesn't make a huge real-world difference, and the noise and heat levels on the rMBPs are night-and-day better than their non-Retina counterparts.

CPU throttling is a common issue, especially on the i7 models with higher clocks and under certain conditions exceeding TDP. The CPU should never throttle simply because it's working hard (or used as intended).

Well, Intel disagrees with you, since it specifically is designed to not turn on TurboBoosting when all the cores are getting hit.

It ain't perfect, but people like the OP are waaaay too quick to sound the alarm.