Which MacBook Pro with retina do I need?

So basically I'm going off the college next year. I'm going to be majoring in petroleum engineering. And in engineering we have to run lots of programs on the computer and most are windows based programs which means I'm going to have to run boot camp or parallels. The things I do on my computer is gaming, Microsoft office, download music and movies, I like to multi task, and surf the web! I just want a fast and good laptop that will last me a good 4-5 years! I either want the 15" MBPR with the 2.0 ghz quad core i7, 16gb ram, 256gb storage or the 13" 2.8 ghz dual core i7, 16gb ram, 256gb storage. Is this too much or overkill for what I want to do? And also to be able to run my programs in parallels or boot amp smoothly? Also which ever MacBook I get I'm going to get a 1tb external and an extra SSD card for more storage. If you guys have other suggestions on what I should get or what I don't need let me know and explain why I wouldn't need it or why I would need it. That would be a great help thanks.

jenkins_jay,
given the GPU-intensive games currently on the market, never mind four or five years from now, you should probably consider the 15-inch model with the discrete NVIDIA GPU for best graphics performance — that is, the one with the 2.3 GHz Core i7. (Be advised that there’s also a 15-inch model with a 2.3 GHz Core i7 without the discrete NVIDIA GPU.) Since the RAM is soldered rather than socketed on Retina models, getting one with 16 GB of RAM makes sense. Don’t ignore the need for an external disk for exclusive use as a Time Machine backup destination — you wouldn’t want to lose the only copy of your schoolwork due to a internal SSD glitch.

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Which MacBook Pro with retina display ( 13 inch or 15 inch ? )

I can't decide which MacBook with retina display to buy. I'm switching to a Mac from a PC, but I am used to the Mac platform. So far I'm am thinking that, I will choose the 15 inch model, if apple would lower the price a lot at the upcoming event WWDC 2013. But I would consider buy the 13 inch if apple rises the processor speed, offer more ram, and ssd, while keeping the same price.
The 15 inch MacBook offers:
An extra 2 inches of screen space
Much faster ( quad core vs dual core )
The 13 inch MacBook provides
A compact design
Dual core
13 inches
$1000 less
For full comparison visit: http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs-retina/
I will be useing this Mac for
Ios application developing ( Xcode, ios simulator ),
Home use
Web searching
Sometimes at school
Utilities
And other usual stuff.
So overall,
I won't be carrying this around much,
I will do lots of web searching and app developing,
And utilities and other usual stuff
And a need for extra screen space for more room when I'm web searching and app developing.
What do think? Also, would you reccomended any extra features ( extra ram, ssd, or a higher processor) for my needs. This will be a great help, thank you. Ps. I have my fingers crossed for a new MacBook Pro lineup and WWDC 2013. I hope to see upgrades for the MacBook Pro with retina display, apple.

Hi,
I am a researcher so I store a lot of papers, data, and use numerical software. I have had a 17inch high spec macbook pro for over a year now. I find that apart from the large screen, it was unnecessary to get the high specs. This is why. Firstly, the hard drive is easy to replace and upgrade, apple charge a lot for their own ones. Secondly, the ram in my one was upgradable (which i didnt know when i bought it) and i since upgraded to 16gigs from 8 and its amazing. Thirdly, the newer macbook pros run hotter than the previous ones.
The retina is overrated and the programs for retina need more memory and processing power, so what you find is that your hard drive will get taken over sooner, your mac will run hotter, and battery life lower.
I would say to you, dont worry about the processor speed, the normal speed offered is perfect, more than that is not necessary unless you are running highly demanding apps, the mac will run hotter too. Dont bother getting a large hard drive in the macbook. Get a flash SSD drive, and buy a good portable 2tb HD, like a WD one, and use that to store as much of your work as possible. I believe apple started soldering their ram cards to the motherboard or something so that people cant upgrade. Check in advance and see if the macbook you want can be ram upgradable, then get a lower ram model and buy good 8gb ram cards to make 16gig. Very very easy to install them, took me about two minutes to do mine, it will be much cheaper.
If I think of anything else i will post back. Dont forget to install GFX card status too and use integrated only when on battery, i get up to ten hours of battery life without wifi, around 8 with wifi.
edit. I forgot to mention that if you buy your mac and try to open it you will void the warranty.

I have a Macbook pro with Retina Display, and need to get bootcamp. Which one should I get so I can install Windows 7?

I have to have windows so I can use CAD and photoshop for my classes. Any suggestions?

Boot Camp Assistant is in your Utilities folder. You will have to purchase Windows somewhere. Preferred would be 64-bit Windows 7.
Windows on Intel Macs
There are presently several alternatives for running Windows on Intel Macs.
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     3. VM Fusion and Windows XP, Vista Business, Vista Ultimate,
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     4. CrossOver which enables running many Windows
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     5. VirtualBox is an Open Source freeware virtual machine such
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         Fusion.
Note that VirtualBox, Parallels, and VM Fusion can also run other operating systems such as Linux, Unix, OS/2, Solaris, etc. There are performance differences between dual-boot systems and virtualization. The latter tend to be a little slower (not much) and do not provide the video performance of the dual-boot system. See MacTech.com's Virtualization Benchmarking for comparisons of Boot Camp, Parallels, and VM Fusion. Boot Camp is only available with Leopard or Snow Leopard. Except for Crossover and a couple of similar alternatives like DarWine you must have a valid installer disc for Windows.
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Macbook Pro with retina display software question

I am thinking of replacing my curren Macbook Pro that is 3 years old with the new Macbook pro with retina display; I need to know if Mac Office 2011 will run on this computer as well as iWorks 09.
Thanks------Roger

i would refrain from buying retina mbp for now if you are going to use it for office word, etc.
it still not yet retina adapted i hear. wait until everything is updated for retina. which would take few weeks or months. but, you can also buy retina now, and set the display to non retina quality, and office would work fine, then when you dont use office, you can set it back to retina pixels.

Installing Windows XP on a new MacBook Pro with Retina Display.

I just purchased a new MacBook Pro with Retina display and need to install Windows XP on it so that I may run 3 Windows programs. I have watched a few videos on the internet on how to do this through Boot Camp Assistant, and it says at one point to use the driver CD from Mac to install the drivers. I did not get any CD's with my new MacBook Pro. I also saw on some of these boards that said Boot Camp does not support Windows XP. The people at the Apple store said it can run Windows XP, so I have ordered an original version.
Question 1. Does my MacBook Pro with Retina Display running OS X version 10.8.3 able to run Windows XP?
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What MacBook Pro with Retina Display is recommended for college students?

I'm trying to decide which MacBook Pro with Retina Display to buy before I go off to college. I want to get the 2.6 GHz, 16 GB of RAM, and just the 512 GB of Flash. But I don't know which one is better for a business major. The 2.6 GHz Pro with Retina, or the 2.3 GHz Retina. My concers are the space, and this computer is suppossed to last me 4 years.

I'm a college student as well and I'm going to be a sophomore engineering major. I'm currently sitting on a 2007 white MacBook. Yes, it is from the stone age. However, over 5 years, I have only used 280 GB of space. I'm going to order a 2.7GHz, 16GB, 512 SSD R-MBP this weekend, in the hopes that this, too will last me about 5 years. Honestly, if you have the money to drop, I would buy the fastest possible configuration, 16GB ram, and a 512 SSD so that you can comfortably use your computer for another 4-5 years. My white MacBook served quite well for 5 years. The thing about newer technology is that it may last longer. A Core2Duo processor from 07 is nothing compared to Ivy Bridge now. So I would max out the configuration if I were you. By 2017, Intel is going to be making processors that will make this R-MBP look like crap, so consider "future-proofing" your computer for the long run.

Which is better(generally): MacBook Pro with Retina Display or MacBook Air?

Which is better(generally): MacBook Pro with Retina Display or MacBook Air?

Better for what? These are two very different computers. Tell us which things you are looking for and we may be able to help you. Examples - weight, standard RAM and flash memory available, video resolution, etc.
See the technical specifications articles for each -
MacBook Air.
MacBook Pro retina display.
Best of luck.

I recently purchased a MacBook Pro with Retina. Which adapter do I purchase to connect it to a Samsung TV for the best quality?

I recently purchased a MacBook Pro with Retina. Which adapter do I purchase to connect it to a Samsung TV for the best quality? Thanks.

Doesn't matter. All HDMI cables should work, some are considered better than others, I had a $5 ebay cable work just as good as a $20 monster HDMI cable.

Apple macbook pro with retina display is having yellow screen problems in which screen is not perfectly white and is yellowish. More over the service frm apple's part is ridiculous as they have faulty spare part. Does ne1 hv email of senior person?

Apple macbook pro with retina display is having yellow screen problems in which screen is not perfectly white and is yellowish. More over the service frm apple's part is ridiculous as they have faulty spare part. Does ne1 hv email of senior person?

Apple service centre employee told me that they do not have this 14 day offer in India.
And My mac book pro is taken in by Service centre people to run test etc and I will be informed the next day if they accept it as a fault or not ?
I feeling ridiculously bad.

I am thinking of getting my first Macbook pro for uni and was just wondering which one would be the best? The macbook pro or macbook pro with retina display? or even wait for the new release in 2013 ?

I am thinking of getting my first Macbook pro for uni and was just wondering which one would be the best? The macbook pro or macbook pro with retina display? or even wait for the new release in 2013 ?

If your budget is unlimited, look at both the retina and non-retina and make a decision based on your preferences. If funds are tight, explore the options in the refurbished section. Unless you are dealing with courses that demand specific performance parameters, any one of these options will suffice.
Ciao.

Can I decide which graphics chip I can use in MacBook Pro with Retina?

I have a MacBook Pro with Retina display. I have the 15inch model so I have the Intel HD 4000 as well as the NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M. My computers automatically decides which graphics chip to use which I now I normal BUT I was wondering how and if I would be able to choose which graphics chip I would like to use.

Most of the time, your computer will switch between graphic chips automatically - so you're right, you don't have to choose. However, in certain situations, your machine will get too hot or you'll get too much drain on your battery. In that case, you may have to choose the chip: in that case, gfxCardStatus http://gfx.io is a good application to download. It's free.

What cable do I need in order to migrate from Macbook Pro (December 2008) to the new Macbook Pro with Retina display?

It's driving me crazy; I have a firewire, but it isn't compatible with the ports on the new macbook pro with retina display.
Thanks for your help!

hanskra wrote:
I wish to know from Apple,
These are user-to-user forums where everyday folk post "technical" questions and offer answers to each other voluntarily. No one here works for Apple nor does Apple get involved in responding.
You can either contact Apple Care since you are still under warranty or click on the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this website.

Should I get a 13" or 15" Macbook Pro with retina laptop?

I, FINALLY, after one year of wanting to get a new laptop to use as my primary computer replacing my desktop computer at home.........have decided to switch gears from a Windows computer to a MACBOOK PRO with RETINA laptop. It's not an easy decision when you are spending SO much money on something you hope will last a long time as I do NOT plan on getting a new laptop once I buy this one for a very long time (until it breaks / can no longer function)!
My dilemma now is whether to go with the high end 13" Macbook Pro OR get a similar if not higher end 15" Macbook Pro. Here's background on myself and what I plan on using the laptop for:
I plan on using it as my new primary computer for home so primarily for my personal use, but I will be using it also for work so I will be using it for basically EVERYTHING!
I will use it to do word processing (MS Word), to do my finances (reconcile my bank stmts/accounts), using MS Excel for accounting work, check my emails, research the Internet, photo editing (pretty much basic, definitely not advanced) and creating slideshows with my photos/music, downloading/playing music. I do not plan on using it to play any games.
I use alot of MS Office / Excel and some Powerpoint - either for work or home.
I need alot of storage space for photos (recreational - up to 400 per vacation trip) and I plan on creating slideshows with the photos using Apple's great photo/video/slideshow apps! At last count, I had about 100GB of photo files.
I also need alot of storage for my music files - I have @ least 12GB of music right now and am always downloading more each year.
I plan on taking it with me outside of home only on the weekends for the most part like to a cafe (Starbucks) or library, but not for anything further than that (not for travel as I will just take my ipad).
I know it's only ~1lb difference in weight, but a couple of my concerns is since it will be my primary home computer (i.e.I'll be using it in the evenings/on the weekends and probably more (since it's an Apple!) to work on photos/slideshows, if the screen size difference will matter in the longrun in terms of having any impact on my vision (not sure if the 2" will make a difference in that). I'm only 45yo, but I do worry about that! I tried both the 13" and 15" in the Apple store and the only difference I saw was that the 15" screen allowed you to have multiple programs visible on the screen side by side, but viewing the actual programs was the same (in size). I don't really view programs side by side right now (I use the ALT-TAB shortcut alot to view multiple programs I have open at once), but I could see how having programs viewable side by side could come in handy.
I had a Toshiba 17" laptop before that was too HEAVY to lug around even if on the weekend so I no longer want a heavy laptop and want something more portable to take with me on my weekend excursions to the local cafe/library which basically means going from home to car and car to location at most, but when I go to use the restroom, I like to take it with me (do not feel safe leaving it behind on table) so I don't want it too heavy.
I do plan on getting me a Western Digital external hard drive to backup ALL my files yet since I plan on keeping the computer for as long as it'll hold up, I want to make sure I have alot of storage to keep up with me. I like the flashdrive component because there are fewer moving parts so less likely to have problems in the long run and given that (despite my need for alot of storage), I'll backup my photos/music to external drives should I end up maxing out on my storage.
I value your opinions, please help me DECIDE!!!!! I'm frustrated and it's driving me nuts!!! I know it's too much to ask, but if they had a 14", I would probably go with it! A 2" difference seems pretty big. :-)
THANK YOU!!!

Thanks guys. I'm set on the 15" now and am now deciding on whether I should go with the standard MBP or the MBP with retina display? I'm not an advanced photographer, but I do like to take alot of photos especially when travelling and I do plan on creating slideshows with my photos synched with music. I don't think I'd be one to really be able to tell the difference between a retina vs. non-retina screen given that since I can't really tell the difference between a tv screen with vs. without HD. So for me, I don't think it'd be about the retina display at all. It is more about the storage capacity AND the fact that I hear with the retina/flash storage, that there are less apt to have problems down the road so a more sturdy a machine. Given I take alot of photos/will be creating slideshows wth my photos, and downloading/playing music, I'm thinking the standard MBP might be better storage-wise. But also given I plan on keeping this laptop for a long time (basically, until it breaks or becomes too slow to function productively), that makes me want to go the retina/flash storage route. SIGH.
Should I not be so concerned about the longevity of the machine, but rather opt for the one with more storage?

13" Macbook Pro with retina or MacBook Air?

Hello All,
This is my first post to this forum and I need an advice for buying my first MacBook ever. The time has come that I have decided to invest into a Mac and have always been a PC user until now. I was planning to buy the 13" 256GB version (1500 USD). My goal is to learn coding (JavaScript, PHP/MySQL, and HTML, Drupal for Web design) on the bust commute, with little to none intention of doing gaming on the machine. But plan to watch video/tutorial files, movies etc.
But I am reading some concerning reviews/complaints of people about the MacBook Pro with Retina series and I want to know whether the latest version (as of today, Feb 21st, 2014) of rMBP is problematic. Here is what I have learned about the existing issues so far and I would like if folks here could give me a piece of advice which one should I choose (Air vs Pro)?:
1) The trackpad/system sudden freeze;
2) The image retention/persistence problem;
2) Overheating when watching a video;
Honestly, I feel disappointed that Apple computers are having so many issues.
Are these issues still a problematic as of today for rMBP? Will the heating be problematic fo watching a movie for 1-2 hrs? Is it better to go with the air rather?
Please advise!
Thanks.
Frank

Also, would the applecare be strongly recommended for my situation?

Macbook Pro with retina 13-inch - should I have gone for the 15?

Hi I recently bought a 13-inch Macbook pro with retina display. I am delighted with it. My main usage is
1.Word processing - this is what I basically use it for (translating, text editing, heavy email)
2. Examining photos to see if they are suitable for publication - don't need any special software
3. Browsing the web (a lot!)
4. Plan to learn In Design (software) so I can help out my colleagues. (Nothing too intensive, maybe 3-4 pages a month).
5. Watching movies and listening to music while on the go (or even at home)
6. Using Parallel for Windows 7 (3-4 applications only)
I heard that the 15-inch one is more powerful. Did I make a good choice or should I have bought the 15-inch one. It seemed a bit heavy for me at the time I saw it but no-one told me it was so much more powerful. I have the basic late 2012 model with 128GB SSD but also have a light 1TB hard drive and superdrive.
Please reassure me that I have not made the wrong decision but if you think I have, then tell me. I am a first-time Mac user, and coming from a Vaio X (which recently died) the power of this thing seems awesome!!

That MacBook Pro is perfect for you, and I don't think that you need a 15-inch MacBook Pro, even if it's more powerful than the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display. There are some important differences between the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display and the 15-inch MacBook Pro, like the graphic card or the processor, but if that MacBook works properly, continue using it

Which MacBook Pro with retina do I need?

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