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2012 Retina Macbook Pro



M

Munson

This has obviously been discussed to an extent in the WWDC 2012 thread, but I'm interested in this subject specifically. What are your thoughts and, perhaps more specifically, experiences with this machine?

I'm in no doubt that it is an incredible computer, but I personally feel that the functional compromises in favour of design are a step too far for a computer allegedly aimed at the professional.

My cons;

  1. No RJ45
  2. No optical drive
  3. No Kensington lock slot
  4. No 17" option

The first two I can deal with, to an extent, but the last two are not acceptable. How can Apple possibly presume that professionals working in the field would not want at least the basic opportunist level of security that a Kensignton slot provides? I understand that it's due to packaging, but this only enforces my view that the machine has taken the form over function ethos a step too far. As for the lack of a 17" - I appreciate it's due to market demands, but again, is this something that Apple would have once considered too seriously? I'm sure that 'back in the day' they would have made it regardless. Just because they could, and because a small percentage of their followers demanded it.

Also, I have to wonder how much of a final say the late Steve Jobs had in the final specification. I can't help but feel they are slowly abandoning their followers. What's next - a touch screen iMac with no keyboard, but a $99.95 Thundertooth optional keypad?
 
R

Revels

It's what the market dictates.

17" was by far the worst seller. Whereas MacBook Air sales have really taken off. People want something they can carry easily and that's what has happened.

I agree in a way about the changes. Years ago Apple didn't have the customers it has now. So if lets say 1,000 people wanted a 17" then they made them because that was a big number. Those numbers are insignificant now. Much like the Mac Pro, that got a tiny update because it's just not popular enough anymore in relation to everything else. Plus the iMac has taken a lot of that market.

Optical drives are a dying breed. If people want them they can add on but the majority won't. Apple were the first to get rid of the floppy drive. Someone has to be first.

I don't think, despite the name, that it is really aimed a pro anymore. It's just a name for a level about the Macbook. Which they've dropped anyway (apart from for Education)

Design is going to continue in this way. The current 'normal' MBPs will all get the retina display and same casing and on the world goes.

Obviously the changes are frustrating for you but for every Roy that wants those bits and 17", there's 200 BillyBobs who are happy to drop nearly $3k on a 15" MBP to take to school.
 
M

Munson

Revels said:
It's what the market dictates.

17" was by far the worst seller. Whereas MacBook Air sales have really taken off. People want something they can carry easily and that's what has happened.

I agree in a way about the changes. Years ago Apple didn't have the customers it has now. So if lets say 1,000 people wanted a 17" then they made them because that was a big number. Those numbers are insignificant now. Much like the Mac Pro, that got a tiny update because it's just not popular enough anymore in relation to everything else. Plus the iMac has taken a lot of that market.

Optical drives are a dying breed. If people want them they can add on but the majority won't. Apple were the first to get rid of the floppy drive. Someone has to be first.

I don't think, despite the name, that it is really aimed a pro anymore. It's just a name for a level about the Macbook. Which they've dropped anyway (apart from for Education)

Design is going to continue in this way. The current 'normal' MBPs will all get the retina display and same casing and on the world goes.

Obviously the changes are frustrating for you but for every Roy that wants those bits and 17", there's 200 BillyBobs who are happy to drop nearly $3k on a 15" MBP to take to school.
Click to expand...

All valid points, and I do understand and agree with most of them. But removing the ability to lock your computer to a desk in the field? That's just the final insult for a professional who does actually use their Mac in a professional environment, and not just on their coffee table. Yes, I'm in the minority I suppose. Apple have not really left me with an upgrade option from my 2009 17", and that's bad.
 
R

Revels

If I'm honest, I didn't even know what the Kensington lock thing was. I had to Google it.

But the counter argument to that would be that how professional is the environment if you have to chain your computer to a table? Was it something you used regularly?
 
seb

seb

ClioSport Club Member
  Clio trophy
Just beast the ssd and ram. Keep rollin for a while.

Then go buy a dell in 2 more years?
 
M

Munson

I use my lock slot every single day. My Mac is used in an open factory environment. If I go for a coffee or a piss, I like knowing that the opportunist thief will not have a set of bolt cutters in their pocket. Regardless of what one considers to be a professional environment, that's the one in which I use mine to make a living.

Seb, I had already decided to beast my 17, but it's now unfortunately battle scarred, and needs a new screen glass, so the lack of a viable upgrade is all the more annoying.
 
R

Revels

That wasn't a dig about where you work. More so the fact that again, the need to be able to lock up a computer not being a feature that many deem essential.

There might be an aftermarket solution around.
 
M

Munson

For sure. It wasn't taken as a dig. In any case there is a an aftermarket solution, but it doesn't (yet) work with the new 2012 retina. lol :eek:

I don't expect everyone to agree with my concerns, but I do (did) expect Apple to understand them when making a 'Pro'
 
A

Al_G

ClioSport Club Member
  Honda S2000, C63
Kensington lock is a strange one as many companies deem it non negotiable.Kensington lock is a strange one as many companies deem it non negotiable.

For example, I work for a financial institute and it’s company policy to lock your laptop to your desk at all times. Failure to do so is a breach of policy and a sackable offence. I’d expect most companies to share this policy, especially where there’s a need to leave laptops unattended (meetings etc).
 
Tom

Tom

ClioSport Club Member
  EV (s)
Get a high res 15" With matte display.

Solves all of your issues except #4
 
jenic

jenic

ClioSport Club Member
No RJ45 - well it's annoying, but it wouldn't be that much of a hassle to use the adaptor.

No optical - it seems rare I use mine these days, and slimline external DVDRW drives are dirt cheap these days and small enough to sling in the car for the odd time you need it.

No lock - yep, annoying. I know our IT policy at work requires there use in all vehicles and when left unattended in offices. Although saying that I have no idea where mine is. Nothing you can do about it though.

No 17" - again, nothing you can do. I can see why you might want one, but have to question how many people in a job like yours are using a mac.

Personally I think you would be better with a windows laptop, what's stopping you buying one?
 
K

Krispwee

  Z4
In the 1920x1200 mode it's fantastic. You can just about feel the strain it puts on the graphics card but ML makes it significantly smoother apparently.

Whats the issue with just using that? Same amount of space and looks better than a normal 17" pro display.
 
M

Munson

jenic said:
Personally I think you would be better with a windows laptop, what's stopping you buying one?
Click to expand...

I have considered it, but I can't bring myself to do it. I also use my Mac as a personal machine in hotel rooms and apartments, so it's also my main computer. This only serves to complicate my needs even further.

Tom said:
Alright? Now f**k off.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I think. FYI the resolution of the 15.4" does not make the 17" irrelevant at all. Clearly you don't spend 10 hours a day editing long lines of text.
 
Tom

Tom

ClioSport Club Member
  EV (s)
Roy Munson said:
I have considered it, but I can't bring myself to do it. I also use my Mac as a personal machine in hotel rooms and apartments, so it's also my main computer. This only serves to complicate my needs even further.



Thanks. I think. FYI the resolution of the 15.4" does not make the 17" irrelevant at all. Clearly you don't spend 10 hours a day editing long lines of text.
Click to expand...

Actually I do, but on 2x 19" monitors running 1280 x 1024 (on windows xp). I'd Kill for 1920 x 1200 let alone 2880 x 1800

Actually I'd settle for OS X, don't care which version.
 
M

Munson

Seb, I have seriously considered doing just that. I may well do, but I'm sure you can appreciate the frustration in being 'forced' to buy an outgoing model because the new one is aimed at coffee table pros.

Just lol at no RJ45 or lock slot. Are they joking?

Again, I realise I'm in the minority as an actual Pro user, but that doesn't make it any less of a blow.
 
Tom

Tom

ClioSport Club Member
  EV (s)
Ok so the lock slot is a bit odd, although if you look at teardowns you can see why. (no room)

RJ45 is a £25 adaptor away, although i will admit its a terrible design as adaptors go. Wireless is becoming the norm.
(However the area in which you work and knowing the hoops we have to jump though to get a machine installed at a certain company beginning with F and ending with ORD, wireless is a long long long way away from being utilised)
 
Last edited:
M

Munson

Yeah the RJ45 is not a deal breaker once the adaptor is supported under VMware (I use Windows a lot).

EDIT at your edit: No devices that I need to connect to have any kind of wireless adaptor. Everything is ethernet. In fact most systems have only just started to support DHCP.
 
Tom

Tom

ClioSport Club Member
  EV (s)
:rolleyes: Sounds Familiar.

You could also use a USB to ethernet adaptor, which is supported. But there may be speed limitations.
 
Tom

Tom

ClioSport Club Member
  EV (s)
The other thing you could do is not get an MBP at all. I realise what im saying is radical, but there must be an alternative to an MBP.

Edit, just had a quick look at the major players. FLOL. Maybe not.
 
Last edited:
Tom

Tom

ClioSport Club Member
  EV (s)
Have you used a retina yet?

I've managed to avoid apple stores since launch because i will buy or attempt to buy one if i touch it.
 
M

MaLicE

Honorary Member
ClioSport Club Member
  Lazy v8
Had a look at one on the weekend... 15" pro with retina display.... I made sure I stood out of arms reach.... The guy tried to get me to hold it... I didn't want to, as I would of wanted it there and then, the retina is impressive, moreso when it's next to a non retina!!
 
S

.Simon

ClioSport Club Member
  Audi
Roy, do you know for sure that the Thunderbolt ethernet adaptor does not work with VM?

My one arrived today so I can try if you like?
 
S

.Simon

ClioSport Club Member
  Audi
Well, I'm posting this from Windows XP, wireless is off and using the Thunderbolt adaptor ... guess it works?!
 
D

dk

  911 GTS Cab
I'm a 17" pro user too, but ivebnever used the Ethernet adapter, wifi is fine for me, I've never used the optical drive, just never needed it, I've never used a Kensington lock and I love the 17". So for me, it's a shame this will be my first and last 17" pro, I could deal with the other stuff.

I think you are a special case really needing all that unfortunately, they must have done some market research and found that most people don't use that stuff any more, like not having a 3 door Clio, the majority wins and allows them to make the casing smaller getting rid of the bits you mention.
 
cava83

cava83

  Rav4
Simon N said:
Well, I'm posting this from Windows XP, wireless is off and using the Thunderbolt adaptor ... guess it works?!
Click to expand...

I guess that answers that question. Did you do any updates or did it work straight away?

The lock thing sucks.
 
Tom

Tom

ClioSport Club Member
  EV (s)
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