2013 Haswell Retina MacBook Pro...

Spit · 22 Oct 2013 at 22:07

Thought I would open up a separate thread as the event one is getting a little crowded.

With the 15" model Apple has now given us a choice for the GPU. What are you thoughts on this?

I am going to get the 15" model and I am really tempted to just go for the Iris Pro model and not bother with the 750m. Reason being is that when I had last years model it really annoyed me when the 650m kicked in and the battery life suffered. I don't really game much on my rMBP and when I did the discrete graphics was not up to par for the retina display anyway, I doubt thats going to change with the 750m.

I really like the idea of having a super fast business machine with maximum battery life. Hopefully the Iris Pro model delivers that.

McBain · 22 Oct 2013 at 22:14

Waiting for a delivery date confirmation for a 13", 8GB Ram and 256GB SSD.

It'll be my first retina Macbook, currently using a 12' 13" Air which has served me very well indeed.

GTRacer · 22 Oct 2013 at 22:21

I'm looking at the base spec 15" with a 16GB upgrade. At first I was a bit disappointed by the lack of dGPU, but looking at benchmarks it seems that the Iris Pro is actually faster than the 650m at rendering stuff in OpenCL, which the main programs I use (Photoshop and Capture One) offer acceleration for. This means I'll get the same/better performance without the battery hit which is actually quite ideal.

However, the smaller size of the top end 13" is really tempting, although I'm not sure if the CPU/iGPU combo would be snappy enough.

explicit4u · 22 Oct 2013 at 22:23

I opted for the 15" with dGPU, I'm not expecting it be able to run demanding games at native retina resolutions but I don't want to risk not being able to run a game at decent settings on a the iris pro.

I also figured that I'll rarely be in a position where I don't have access to a plug so the reduced battery life doesn't really bother me.

GTRacer said:
I'm looking at the base spec 15" with a 16GB upgrade since my 15" rMBP got stolen earlier this month. At first I was a bit disappointed by the lack of dGPU, but looking at benchmarks it seems that the Iris Pro is actually faster than the 650m at rendering stuff in OpenCL, which the main programs I use (Photoshop and Capture One) offer acceleration for. This means I'll get the same/better performance without the battery hit which is actually quite ideal.

However, the smaller size of the top end 13" is really tempting, although I'm not sure if the CPU/iGPU combo would be snappy enough.

A 13" retina with dGPU would be perfect!

Spit · 22 Oct 2013 at 22:24

Yeah, I suppose its good that we have a choice this time round.

glenimp617 · 22 Oct 2013 at 22:32

Glad I held out

Just ordered top spec, should last me a good few years I hope

AshD93 · 22 Oct 2013 at 22:35

13" retina base CPU with 256 GB SSD and 16GB RAM soon hopefully!

Mr.Stu · 22 Oct 2013 at 22:35

McBain said:
Waiting for a delivery date confirmation for a 13", 8GB Ram and 256GB SSD.

It'll be my first retina Macbook, currently using a 12' 13" Air which has served me very well indeed.

Oof, enjoy pal. ./e

Gonna get one of these bad-boys as my next work laptop.

FreeStream · 23 Oct 2013 at 03:00

I'm in a bit of a corner now with the nMP being completely and utterly useless for me (and costing a complete bomb to boot).

I now either:

1. Build a PC for gaming - but then that could be a hackintosh - to replace Mac Pro.
2. Spec out a 15" retina.. (but then I need somewhere to put all my HDs!) - to replace current 2010 MacBook Pro.

But if I was to do something, the Iris Pro version is probably the one I'd have...

julianhj · 23 Oct 2013 at 07:10

Is it possible to upgrade RAM and HDD on the retinas as easily as the non-retinas?

Spit · 23 Oct 2013 at 07:40

No. You need to make your choice at the start.

lokkers · 23 Oct 2013 at 07:43

Bit disappointed that there wasn't a resolution bump on the 13" to make it 1440x900 equivalent. Not sure I'd want to lose the extra screen space my 2011 13" MBA gives me :/

jonneymendoza · 23 Oct 2013 at 07:48

Concorde Rules said:
I'm in a bit of a corner now with the nMP being completely and utterly useless for me (and costing a complete bomb to boot).

I now either:

1. Build a PC for gaming - but then that could be a hackintosh - to replace Mac Pro.
2. Spec out a 15" retina.. (but then I need somewhere to put all my HDs!) - to replace current 2010 MacBook Pro.

But if I was to do something, the Iris Pro version is probably the one I'd have...

build a gaming pc because as far as i know, Windows is still top dog for PC gaming.

im looking to buy the 13inch top spec one of these as i need something thats portable

explicit4u · 23 Oct 2013 at 09:30

julianhj said:
Is it possible to upgrade RAM and HDD on the retinas as easily as the non-retinas?

Spit said:
No. You need to make your choice at the start.

I was under the impression that the RAM is soldered into place but the HDD was upgradeable if you can source an SSD that's compatible.

McBain · 23 Oct 2013 at 10:07

Mr.Stu said:
Oof, enjoy pal. ./e

Gonna get one of these bad-boys as my next work laptop.

You know it pal, should be pretty tasty when you get your hands on it (tu)

lokkers said:
Bit disappointed that there wasn't a resolution bump on the 13" to make it 1440x900 equivalent. Not sure I'd want to lose the extra screen space my 2011 13" MBA gives me :/

This is the only thing that concerns me.

jonneymendoza · 23 Oct 2013 at 10:14

McBain said:
You know it pal, should be pretty tasty when you get your hands on it (tu)

This is the only thing that concerns me.

what extra space? the MBP has retina display?

GodAtum · 23 Oct 2013 at 10:36

Ill be interested in seeing how haswell increases the battery life.

panthro · 23 Oct 2013 at 10:54

I want a new MBP so much, but my 2011 15" MBP works perfectly still apart from a few marks on the screen. No reason to change just yet

sanofi · 23 Oct 2013 at 11:06

I've been wanting to upgrade my mid 2010 15" MBP for some time now and these new rMBPs might just be what I've been waiting for. Specifically the 13" one due to the size, although I would have preferred a little more punch from the processor. I had been waiting for a retina MBA but I guess we won't see a refresh until next July.

I'll wait to see some reviews on the new MBPs but the new 15" reads like a beast spec wise.

rp2000 · 23 Oct 2013 at 11:32

Bit annoying only the top spec has a discrete GPU. My last MBP lasted 5 years. I can't see just the integrated graphics lasting that long.

The top end one costs too much as you are paying for larger SSD and Extra RAM. The cheaper 15 inch would be perfect with a RAM upgrade and dGPU.

rp2000