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lawrenceots

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Lawrence
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Im being given a MacBook Pro 15 through university. This is the latest model - the base 15" with the normal display. Now, I can just about afford to upgrade it the base retina display one - would you say this is worth it?
 
So, apart from half the space, I wouldn't really notice any difference? Just would hate to get it and then find that it's not good enough, and not be able to upgrade it etc...
 
I meant negatively - its only the hd that would be the only thing poorer than the base Pro 15. If that makes sense! :P
 
The SSD will be noticeably quicker to do things. All the machines I use on a day-to-day basis for interacting with now have SSDs. It's not necessarily the sequential read speed that does it, more the speed of access to different parts of the filesystem. A current SSD destroys HDDs here.
 
The system will feel quicker due to the SSD, it's much much faster than the cheap 5400rpm drives Apple stick in their laptops.
 
I have a Retina display MPB and the screen is stunning. However if you are going to use it for text the odd you tube video, surfing etc, stick to the normal screen. The Retina display comes into it's own when you are dealing with images. The additional detail is outstanding, but for everyday work, stick to the standard machine.

The Retina display machines are not upgradable. The memory is hard wired onto the logic board. and I'm not sure how easy it is to upgrade the SSD.

I've run a conventional MBP for nearly 4 years now and it performs well if a bit slow ( actually more than a bit slow with 22 Mb camera files ) but then it doesn't have the 4 cores the latest machines have.

However if you take the standard 15" MPB, add an extra 4 Gb of memory ( You have too use Apple memory at the moment as I don't think crucial have a compatible product) add a SSD and its more expensive than the equivalent Retina display model.

I would suggest that unless you have an overpowering need for a very fast machine, the conventional MPB is going to be fine for you.

If you are still in doubt, take a trip to an Apple store or dealer and decide for yourself. In the end it's the only way
 
Well, I bit the bullet and paid extra for the top end Retina model... student overdraft is wincing, iPad is going to be for sale! Hope I've made the right choice - can't wait! Should be arriving for next Friday if I'm lucky!
 
neil_g said:
double the memory and the solid state you should see a difference
Click to expand...

Be careful, you cannot just put in memory from crucial, etc, in the new Macbook retinas, its soldered in apparently.

Phil
 
Phil Bennett said:
Be careful, you cannot just put in memory from crucial, etc, in the new Macbook retinas, its soldered in apparently.
Click to expand...
Be careful on how you read things... Neil was saying that one machine had double the memory of the other ;)
 
Just to say it arrived! Loving it! :D
 
start up in about 5 seconds and soundless operation is amazing!! :D
 
It is amazin'

All we need now is for Adobe to optimise their display output for Retina display, which according to some rumors they are working on. Can't wait.

Run software update, as iMovie has been updated for Retina display.

Also don't forget you get the next edition of OSX Mountain Lion for free as you bought the rMBP during the qualifying period
 
Indeed! Just can't get over the crispness and speed - my crappy eyes are tack sharp when using it! :D
 
Please don't say how good it it or I will have to sell my kids.
 
Excuse the thread jump but a related question - do those in the know think the retina software issue will be solvable by all? I'm thinking specifically about gimp. I may be in the market for the new rMBP but trying to figure out if I'll need to budget for additional software if gimp will be rubbish and I need to plump for cs6 just to use the retina screen to it's potential. Or do you think it will just be a case of toggling the resolution for gimp and enjoying the retina for viewing and everything else?

Thanks
 
If you look at an image on a conventional MBP and then on a rMPB you can see the difference in detail. This I did before I made the decision to go ahead with the purchase of the rMBP.

You can clearly see the difference. However is that sufficient to opt for the MBP. For me it made sense especially as the upgrades I was looking at put that machine at almost the same price as the rMBP.

As to whether the GIMP will embrace the Retina display I don't think anyone can answer. It is hoped that Adobe will do something with Photoshop and Lightroom. It may be they will also do it with Elements as well, but nobody knows. Apple have already updated iMovie, and I learn today that Aperture has been optimised for the Retina display.

Best option, get to an Apple store and compare like with like. You may not think the lack of upgrade-ability or the screen quality is worth the extra. On the other hand you may fall in love with it. ( Tip leave credit card behind :) ). Only you can tell
 
Thanks
I have had a play at the apple store and I was sold on the screen - it really did look amazing, but I'm just concerned about paying for something that may not be the reality. I.e. That I never actually use the retina resolution due to the limitations of the software I'll probably be using (or will make it prohibitively expensive to upgrade).

Decisions, decisions...
 
Chris

You have doubts about how beneficial the Retina display will be. In that case don't opt for it. It may be years before the Gimp has compatible software ( or it may be next week).

As the GIMP is open source it relies on the community developing the product. You could try subscribing to the mailing list and see if anyone is working on the Retina display.
 
BazEP said:
Thanks
I have had a play at the apple store and I was sold on the screen - it really did look amazing, but I'm just concerned about paying for something that may not be the reality. I.e. That I never actually use the retina resolution due to the limitations of the software I'll probably be using (or will make it prohibitively expensive to upgrade).

Decisions, decisions...
Click to expand...

Or just increase the resolution and GIMP will be able to use it all, it only won't be able to use it dynamically unless it has been optimised for it...But switch the screen to its native resolution and GIMP will use it...
 
dejongj said:
Or just increase the resolution and GIMP will be able to use it all, it only won't be able to use it dynamically unless it has been optimised for it...But switch the screen to its native resolution and GIMP will use it...
Click to expand...

Would the issue not be tiny icons etc then? Apologies for the lack of understanding on this, I'm not too hot on computers.
 
BazEP said:
Would the issue not be tiny icons etc then? Apologies for the lack of understanding on this, I'm not too hot on computers.
Click to expand...

Yes you would get smaller icons and text and it won't be automatically handled like applications that have been made 'retina' aware...But then again that is no difference compared to how it is today, and has been for many decades, for most people. So whether it is an issue...perhaps for you, not for me, I like hi-res screens...I find the retina in standard optimal resolution too big with the fonts/icons etc, a bit like those fisher price first laptops...
 
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