High end MBP 15" or low end MBP with retina display?

I am having trouble deciding between the two laptops so I wanted to get some opinions.
I use photoshop and dreamweaver a lot. I ususally will have tons of applications/tabs open at the same time, including a lot of pages with different video players. I use iMovie at most once per month. I do like to plug in multiple displays through the thunderbolt ports so having 2 and an hdmi port would be nice. It mainly comes down to is the macbook pro with retina worth losing .3Ghz per core on the retina. To fix the memory (not RAM) I figured when necessary I would just get a thunderbolt external hard drive. And finally how much more space would the OSX and/or a program take up with so many more pixels. I also need this computer to last a while because I will most likely have to wait more than 4 years to update, but I can upgrade the ram of the mbp with retina display later to 16gb, but the macbook pro 15 has a 3.6ghz processor. Once again if i need more space I will just get a thunderbolt external drive. So could I please have some oppinions on what I should chose?

Even my 2011 MBP can take 16 GB RAM. I would be VERY surprised if the 2012 model cannot handle 16 GB RAM once macsales.com and crucial.com test enough of the available RAM types to find the most-compatible type. Apple advertises limitations based on testing with "commonly available" parts. 2x8 GB RAM chips are still around $150, so Apple probably did not test them. But only time (and those willing to test with their brand-new units) will prove that.
As to the actual increase is speed from the extra 0.3, I would not hazard a guess because you will run a very specific set of software under a very specific CPU and GPU (graphics processing unit) load. But I would suspect the Retina unit will run faster than the non-Retina IF you buy a non-Retina with a HDD instead of the SDD. SDD will outperform HDD in most cases.
My humple opinion, Retina units are lighter and lack utility ports. But they have the quad-core CPUs people want and more display-ports. Those who program computers will likely buy the non-Retina units. Those who play with pictures will buy the Retina units.

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I'd like to know how much performance difference there is in the 15 in MBP with Retina display?

Hi:
I have a legacy (2007) MBP that needs to be replaced. It still runs, but not well, given that the HD is nearly full. The headphone out jack is "hit or miss" in terms of working properly.....you get the picture.
I'll replace it with a 15 MBP with retina display, and also go with the 1 TB drive rather than the 512 as its actually cheaper (I think) to have Apple put the larger drive in than upgrade after the fact.
My question relates to the available processor speeds:
2.5GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.7GHz
2.8GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 4.0GHz
Is there any discernible difference between these processors, and if so, under what conditions do they manifest themselves, and how significant, generally speaking are the differences.
I'm sure it depends on the software being run and tasks being performed....video rendering, gaming, etc.
I should also mention that I'm not the most patient person (serious understatement) when it comes to the speed of even basic tasks....word processing, itunes, youtube videos, and the like.
I generally work with multiple windows open and with my current computer's age and remaining HD space get the "spinning pinwheel of death" with great frequency.
One last bit of information. I'm a musician and composer, who needs to get into the 21st century and actually use the notation software I've got (Sibelius). Any computer I have needs to be able to play back scores well, which means playing/processing multiple instrumental parts at the same time,
Thanks in advance for your advice,
Michael

The only way you can get a valid estimate is by someone examining the MBP directly. Since no one on these forums can see or examine your MBP, you will need to get this infomation from a qualified repair shop. It seems that you already have secured one estimate. You can also bring the MBP to an Apple store and have a genius bar examine it for FREE.
Ciao.

Can I use two HP Pavillion 23bw monitors with my MBP with Retina Display?

Can I use two HP Pavillion 23bw monitors with my MBP with Retina Display with good video quality? I just purchased them and am already reading about issues with non-Apple External Monitors being used with MBP with Retina. Plus I just assumed it given the power of the video card, but I can turn off the display to my MBP and extend the two HP monitors correct? I do realize they won't have the picture quality of the retina display but I would hope they look reasonable with 1080p
New to the Support Community so thanks in advance for any help.

This is an update on the question about the use of the Dell P2415Q 4K monitor with MacBook Pro 13" and 15" w/ Nvidia graphics card installed. The monitor works very well with both systems and is automatically identified when connected. The 13" machine with Iris Graphics defaults to 2560 x 1440 at 60hz. This was very workable, matching the Apple Thunderbolt Display for resolution. I was not able to set the display for full 4K at 3840 x 2160, even at 30hz. Just not enough horsepower with the basic Intel CPU with Iris Graphics. But make no mistake, the setup works well and the screen looks great.
The 15" with Iris Pro Graphics and the Nvidia GeForce GT 575M discrete graphics card also recognized the display and drove it at full 4K, 3840 x 2160, 60hz with no problems. Running in clamshell mode required a bit of fine tuning with the Apple display settings. But nothing major.
Due to a relatively small workstation, I selected the 24" version of the Dell monitor. If you are looking for a relatively large monitor with near "retina" resolution, the P2415Q is a perfect pairing for the MacBook Pro - and a terrific bargain. I paid $530 on the Dell website.

How to clean an MBP with Retina Display

I have a Sept 2012 MBP with Retina Display that I want to sell. How should I clean it to ensure the buyer does not have any access to my personal data?

Thanks. If I did the following:
"Once you have backed up all your stuff, restart in Recovery Mode by holding down theCommand R keys prior to the chime. Go past the languages select screen, if it pops up, select Disk Utility (bottom choice). Click on the Macintosh HD volume to select on the left column, do an Erase".
And when the buyer turns it on for the first time, he will be guided through the initial set up process, as if he is setting it up for the first time right out of the box?
Secondly, this MBP backs up automatically to a Time Machine, will any of the data be affected there? Once I sell this?

Updated MacBook Air or MBP with Retina Display?

Hello guys.
I am planning to buy a Macbook, but I don't know which model.
Actually, I am thinking of buying the updated MacBook Air 13 inches, 256 GB Flash Storage etc, because it is really really slim and it has just updated , so it would be a purchase that would last as "the new model" for a longer time.
On the other hand, the model I really like is the MBP with Retina Display, but my problem is that I assume it will be updated soon. I was hoping that it would be updated during the Apple's last keynote(as it happened with the Air model) but this didn't happen.
I want to hear your thoughts. Is the MBP with Retina Display so much more powerful than the new MacBook Air that would worth the time waiting for an updated model to come?
I am really looking forward to buying a MacBook for myself , but should I wait for the updated model of MBP with Retina Display or go straight ahead and buy the updated MacBook Air model?
Thanks in advanced for your answers!

No one has any thoughts? :-(

Google Chrome Crashing MBP with retina display

My customer just bought a MBP with retina display and Google Chrome is crashing the laptop and rebooting every time he is running the program. Has anyone else seen this problem? He is thinking about taking it back and going back to PC... Please help!! thanks

You might also want to install the excellent gfxCardStaus from Cody Krieger. For some reason Google Chrome feels as if it needs to use the discrete graphics card when, since the fix with the Intel 4000 GPU, it has been able to use integrated. gfxCardStatus let's you use one or the other or discrete switching (for instance with Photoshop, etc., apps that really do need discrete GPU.
Good luck,
Clinton

MBP with retina display always crash when using Final cut pro x and iMovie. Plz l need help

HI, My MBP with retina display always crash when l am using Final cut pro x and iMovie and come up with gray screen. Plz l need help

Take it back and get a refund. What are you waiting for, your new Mac does not work correctly.

Can I ask apple store to replace my MBP with Retina display? because I have the ghosting issue with it!

I bought my MBP with Retina display less than two months ago and now I have this problem which the ghost of the application that was open, remains on the background.
I took the device to apple store and they decide to change a harware of it!! now I just feel like it is no going to be repaired.
just wanna know despite that 14 days of purchase date has passed, can I ask apple to replace the whole device and give me a new one or not!

you can ask them, but they are not obligated to fulfill your request. They are obligated to fix any issues related to defective craftsmanship as long as your mac is under warranty however.

Is the fact that the new MBP with Retina display, has choppy scrolling in safari, a reason not to buy it? Can it be fixed through software?

I am debating buying a new MBP with Retina or a Macbook Air. I am looking for more info on wat people have been saying about lag in safari. Thanks!

Hey fredryan..did you end up getting the rMBP? I too am a little concerned about the screen performance while I wait for mine to ship. If you have gotten yours do you mind commenting on how Mountain Lion affected it? Is the lag still a big issue? Thanks!

Does an external hard drive ALWAYS need to be connected to my mbp with retina display for Time Machine?

Does an external hard drive ALWAYS need to be connected to my mbp (OS 10.10.1) with retina display for Time Machine? Or can it be connected once a week or whenever I want? I used to have an external drive always connected to my previous mbp, but it made moving my mbp around a bit of a hassle with it connected...

When the backup drive is not connected, some of the free space on the internal drive will be used to make local snapshots, which are backup copies of recently deleted files. Local snapshots will protect you from unintended file deletions, but not from a drive failure. You should only go as long between backups as you're willing to lose data. If losing a week's worth of work is acceptable to you, then that backup frequency is OK. Otherwise, it isn't.

Bluetooth Audio Streaming Bug on the new MBP with Retina Display?

Hi,
today i got my new MacBook Pro with Retina Display. I am using Monsters Clarity HD Model One as speakers for my computer and have the new Bluetooth-Module called "Streamcast". This Module is APT-X and AAC compatible and has a really great quality. Normally...
But with the new MBP i can only stream the Audio via SBT (AD2P) what is a much worse quality. On my old MacBook Pro 13" AAC and APT-X was working very well.
Is that already a known issue? What can i do in this case?
Thanks a lot,
Rene

so return it for another one if its within the 14 day return policy. If not, bring it in for repair.

Troubles With MBP with Retina Display

I recently made my first major purchase for my first year at college. I purchased a MacBook Pro with Retina Display and absolutely loved it. However, there was a scratch on the screen which really took away from the retina display experience so I took it back to replace it. I also figured I might as well upgrade the hardrive as I will be editing videos and taking lots of pictures. I recieved a new MacBook Pro within about a week. Within a few days of using it I noticed a giant horizontal bar running across the entire screen. I took it back today and recieved store credit to purchase a new one when they arrive in a while (might be about a month). Anyways, I am a bit concered that there will be a problem when I recieve my 2nd replacement. Is Apple going to work out the production kinks so that I won't get another lemon? I'm going to be relying on this thing for the next four to five years of my college career!

Hardware does fail occasionally, but part of why I would take mine to an Apple Store would be for an opinion on whether the problem was hareware or software. Since it has been less than a year since your bought your MBP-R, it is still under warranty, just not eligible for free phone assistance. If you have neither an Apple Store nor a trusted repair facility available to you, that will make it tougher.
Do I understand you to say this only happens after it has been asleep for a longish time? You can keep it from happening by waking it up sooner or by shutting down when you expect to be away for a longer time? I'm not sure what that tells us, but it in interesting.
Do you by any chance have a bootable copy of your system on an external disk? Preferrably one that was made before you started experiencing the symptoms. If so, does the MBP-R present the same symptoms when booted from that copy?

How do I uncheck the "open in low resolution" box for Acrobat Pro 10.1.10 in a MBP with retina display?

I have the "open in low resolution" box checked by default and I can not uncheck it because it is shaded out. I already tried the "uninstall Acrobat, delete the 'com.adobe.PDFAdminSettings.plist' file, and reinstall" solution, but it did not work. I am using Adobe CS6, acrobat pro 10.1.10, macbook pro w/ retina display, and OS X 10.9.4.

I don't think Acrobat 10 is capable of that. Only the very latest Acrobat 11 update has some concessions for Retina displays.

Underpowered USB ports on new MBP with retina display?

I just recently bought a MBP as described in the title and ran into an issue that I has not been yet reported with the USB ports. Basically both USB ports seem to have power issues and frequently shut down with mention of a device drawing too much current. The ports are unable to support my HP lapdesk (a fan/speaker combination) and cannot charge my 3GS iphone and use it to tether at the same time. Both devices that do this work just fine on my wifes 2011 3" MBP and my old 2010 15" MBP (actually both of those can support a mouse, headphones, an i phone and a fan/speakers in the same USB port without extra power). Is this a known issue or do I need to talk to apple about a hardware issue specific to my laptop?

No. This is not normal.
You can return a new Mac within 14 days of purchase.
A new Mac comes with 90 days of free tech support from AppleCare.
AppleCare: 1-800-275-2273
Call AppleCare.
Genius Bar reservation
http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/

USB superdrive on MBP with retina display

I just purchased the above today and my external USB superdrive is not working when connected to my MBP retina. From looking at other forums I can see this may have been an issue with previous MBP's as the super drives seem to be for MBA's or minis. Is there any way I can get the USB superdrive to work with any jailbreaking?

Could be it needs to be connected to both USB port by using a Y USB cable to supply enough power to it. And it won't show up unless there is a CD or DVD disc in it.

High end MBP 15" or low end MBP with retina display?

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