Haswell Macbook Pro 13" your thoughts?

[iFan]

Hey guys

I am looking at getting the new MBP 13" Retina, the mid range with 256gb Hdd and 8gb ram!

Just wanted to hear if anyone had one and how they have been finding it? Mainly going to get it to use for graphic design and basic video editing/multimedia..

What are your thoughts?

I know I could get a better spec HP for the same price but this suits my needs better and the deals through FNB really make it worth while as opposed to buying it retails.

Cheers

 

[[)roi(]]

What software?
The Intel GPU could be a problem.

 

[undesign]

iHave and iLove

 

[phiber]

I have the exact model, and its an awesome machine. Handles everything I've thrown at it but I don't use it for graphic design/video editing so can't comment on that performance. Screen is amazing though, size is great and its very light for a 13"

 

[iFan]

What software?
The Intel GPU could be a problem.

I would mainly be using the Adobe CS6 Suite, and maybe corel draw through bootcamp if need be. Will be mainly for the stills programs, i.e. Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign, but also premier pro and afx, but not on a heavy duty editing level, just bits and bos as far as motion is concerned.

iHave and iLove

Glad to hear that Do you do design? What programs are you using? file sizes that you import etc workflow/general experience and feel with the laptop...i'm picking your brain

I have the exact model, and its an awesome machine. Handles everything I've thrown at it but I don't use it for graphic design/video editing so can't comment on that performance. Screen is amazing though, size is great and its very light for a 13"

Thats also good to hear! Not a lot of people seem to go for the mid range! I definitely also like how light it is and am mainly off the 15" for that reason and for rather having a travel laptop with a screen at home to plug into if/when working there..

 

[[)roi(]]

I would mainly be using the Adobe CS6 Suite, and maybe corel draw through bootcamp if need be. Will be mainly for the stills programs, i.e. Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign, but also premier pro and afx, but not on a heavy duty editing level, just bits and bos as far as motion is concerned.

Unfortunately there are many complaints about less than stellar performance with Adobe products.

You might want to do some more research before committing; here's a starting point:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5494477
https://discussions.apple.com/message/23725549#23725549

As a hobby artist who uses Adobe & Corel products with a Wacom Cintiq; I've personally always avoided the Intel GPUs, and rather gone with MBPs that have 2 GPUs; with the current Retinas that unfortunately means you'd have to look more to the very expensive quad core cpu with NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M with 2GB of GDDR5 memory.

I guess it really depends ultimately on what you're doing in Adobe / Corel, or more specifically the techniques you use; I paint, so aspects like smooth lag free brush strokes, canvas scaling & rotation are the most important for me.

 

[iFan]

Unfortunately there are many complaints about less than stellar performance with Adobe products.

You might want to do some more research before committing; here's a starting point:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5494477
https://discussions.apple.com/message/23725549#23725549

As a hobby artist who uses Adobe & Corel products with a Wacom Cintiq; I've personally always avoided the Intel GPUs, and rather gone with MBPs that have 2 GPUs; with the current Retinas that unfortunately means you'd have to look more to the very expensive quad core cpu with NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M with 2GB of GDDR5 memory.

I guess it really depends ultimately on what you're doing in Adobe / Corel, or more specifically the techniques you use; I paint, so aspects like smooth lag free brush strokes, canvas scaling & rotation are the most important for me.

Hey

Thanks a lot for the added info!! I know there was some issues with the retina but didn't think it was that bad!! From what I quickly read now though, it seems people are having problems across the board! But even the guys with the top of the range machine are struggling !! And so it seems this problem is mainly a software issue with mavericks, or a adobe software issue with not handling the display! Worrying all the same!

Here's hoping they fix it all the same! I will do some more reading tomorrow, but I think the hardware is not the problem, which is good atleast

 

[skimread]

I bought one in Dec. The machine is great however the Intel Iris graphics is probably not as good compared Nvidea and has issues for me with dual monitors when using Bootcamp.

That said I like the machine. The battery life is awesome.

 

[hawker]

I have that exact model. It is absolutely amazing.

 

[[)roi(]]

Hey

Thanks a lot for the added info!! I know there was some issues with the retina but didn't think it was that bad!! From what I quickly read now though, it seems people are having problems across the board! But even the guys with the top of the range machine are struggling !! And so it seems this problem is mainly a software issue with mavericks, or a adobe software issue with not handling the display! Worrying all the same!

Here's hoping they fix it all the same! I will do some more reading tomorrow, but I think the hardware is not the problem, which is good atleast

From my past experience most of these issues were resolved with OS X driver updates and/or Application updates, but unfortunately you can't really be sure until someone acknowledges the problem i.e. Either Apple, Adobe and in this case: Intel.

Another option is to go to one of the Core stores (istore) and ask if they'd be willing to demonstrate the Adobe CC products on one of these MBPr, at least that way you'd be able to make an informed choice.

 

[iFan]

I bought one in Dec. The machine is great however the Intel Iris graphics is probably not as good compared Nvidea and has issues for me with dual monitors when using Bootcamp.

That said I like the machine. The battery life is awesome.

Thanks for the input! I wonder if that would be related to bootcamp...it is known that it is not always the best..have you had problems running dual monitors in OS X? And by dual monitors I take it you mean 2 external PLUS the mac?

I have that exact model. It is absolutely amazing.

Great thanks for the input What sort of work do you do on it? or is it private and basic web, word music etc?

From my past experience most of these issues were resolved with OS X driver updates and/or Application updates, but unfortunately you can't really be sure until someone acknowledges the problem i.e. Either Apple, Adobe and in this case: Intel.

Another option is to go to one of the Core stores (istore) and ask if they'd be willing to demonstrate the Adobe CC products on one of these MBPr, at least that way you'd be able to make an informed choice.

Yeah I am thinking it is a driver update that is needed or as you say application...it must lie with Adobe or Apple! I have also been thinking of doing that as a lot of the usual stores i.e. incredible don't have the software loaded...would the istore have it? Thinking of going to the clearwater one and testing it out.

 

[[)roi(]]

Yeah I am thinking it is a driver update that is needed or as you say application...it must lie with Adobe or Apple! I have also been thinking of doing that as a lot of the usual stores i.e. incredible don't have the software loaded...would the istore have it? Thinking of going to the clearwater one and testing it out.

It's certainly available at real Apple stores (outside SA), and considering that Core is filling that void in SA, it's the least one could expect, but you won't know until you asked. I'd recommend showing them the forums complaints, and then say you'd like them to help you verify if it true or not (i.e. that concern is holding back your purchase)

Ps. Don't mention FNB, as they'd probably be less interested in helping if they knew that they wouldn't derive any direct revenue from your purchase.

 

[iFan]

It's certainly available at real Apple stores (outside SA), and considering that Core is filling that void in SA, it's the least one could expect, but you won't know until you asked. I'd recommend showing them the forums complaints, and then say you'd like them to help you verify if it true or not (i.e. that concern is holding back your purchase)

Ps. Don't mention FNB, as they'd probably be less interested in helping if they knew that they wouldn't derive any direct revenue from your purchase.

That was my thought too! But then we always are at a lesser end here! It really is the least one could expect, especially when spending that type of money...thats a good idea about showing them the complaints!

haha yes, a valid point!!

 

[[)roi(]]

That was my thought too! But then we always are at a lesser end here! It really is the least one could expect, especially when spending that type of money...thats a good idea about showing them the complaints!

haha yes, a valid point!!

Good luck.

 

[iFan]

Good luck.

Thanks mate!

 

[dh_za]

Have you received your Machine?
and if you have are you happy with it? I am really considering this with THEMINIDRIVE 128g that slots into the SD card holder. giving me 384

Unfortunately i cannot leave the window environment, so will split the drive 50/50 for mac and bootcamp windows 8 and then use the 128gig drive share docs and info between the 2 ...

The only thing i really need to figure out is if i need 8 or 16gig ram to run all my virtual machines (do office training) so need 4 different virtual machines with the different versions of office on them,

FNB only has the 256/8gig version ... so 512/16gig going to be substantially more at the mac store.

 

[iFan]

Have you received your Machine?
and if you have are you happy with it? I am really considering this with THEMINIDRIVE 128g that slots into the SD card holder. giving me 384

Unfortunately i cannot leave the window environment, so will split the drive 50/50 for mac and bootcamp windows 8 and then use the 128gig drive share docs and info between the 2 ...

The only thing i really need to figure out is if i need 8 or 16gig ram to run all my virtual machines (do office training) so need 4 different virtual machines with the different versions of office on them,

FNB only has the 256/8gig version ... so 512/16gig going to be substantially more at the mac store.

Hi there

Haven't placed the order yet, but thinking of walking in to the istore on Thursday/Friday so I can pick it up straight then once they process it with FNB. Better then waiting anxiously for the courier and you save R150 on the delivery
On their site the 256gb/8gig is advertised at the old price but they have no stock, so I am waiting for a reply...rather spend less if I can.

I was also looking at those mini drives, very nifty! I have a few externals but I think I might go that route eventually too..

If you go over to the macrumours forum there is a lot of info on how much ram to get, just be wary most want you to get 16gb if you can...I think I will be happy with 8gb..

Yeah that is a bit of a thing if you want the 512, but just check with the istore if they can't do a custom build (BTO) for you and run it through FNB..

Cheers

 

[DStvNothingOn]

i have noticed that with the Haswell microarchitecture i get between hour and half and two hours more battery life even when playing movies (with quicktime vlc sucks battery life) and even with just browsing, I've also noticed a lower running heat the fan is also on a lot less of the the time. I really enjoy apple products so would go with it however if you choice to go away from apple i would still make sure the cpu is Haswell rather then Ivy Bridge

 

[iFan]

i have noticed that with the Haswell microarchitecture i get between hour and half and two hours more battery life even when playing movies (with quicktime vlc sucks battery life) and even with just browsing, I've also noticed a lower running heat the fan is also on a lot less of the the time. I really enjoy apple products so would go with it however if you choice to go away from apple i would still make sure the cpu is Haswell rather then Ivy Bridge

Hi there

Thanks for the insight, I got mine and am over the moon happy so far!!

Cheers