MacBook Pro Retina 15" 2.2GHz - July 2014 - How is it?

xera

xera

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Hi all,

Ok so I am considering getting this MBP, and was wondering how it works.
Specs: 2.2GHz i7, 16GB RAM, 256GB Flash, 15" Retina Display.

I need to get the 16GB one.
I also need this for both Windows and OS X, for my work.

The reason I am leaning towards this model, is because it has integrated graphics, and I heard you still cannot switch graphics cards in Windows - meaning if you want better battery life in Windows, this is the one to get!
Can anybody confirm this? Obviously its also a lot cheaper, and the only thing significantly better about the much more expensive one is the GPU, and extra storage.
However in my case, I require better battery life under Windows, more than extra GPU power.

Is the July 2014 model a good one to buy? Or should I wait, or buy pre-july, or second hand?
 
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ozziej

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I would suggest that you look at review sites about the battery life. It sounds like nonsense that you cannot disable the Nvidia GPU.
The better laptop with the dedicated gpu also has a faster CPU. Honestly, if you look at just the cost of upgrading the cheaper machine to a bigger drive and faster cpu you'll see that the more expensive machine is a better buy. Try Apple.com store and configure the machine.
Me personally, I would get the better machine if you have the money.
If battery life is a concern, rather get the air or 13" MacBook pro.
 
xera

xera

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ozziej said:
I would suggest that you look at review sites about the battery life. It sounds like nonsense that you cannot disable the Nvidia GPU.
The better laptop with the dedicated gpu also has a faster CPU. Honestly, if you look at just the cost of upgrading the cheaper machine to a bigger drive and faster cpu you'll see that the more expensive machine is a better buy. Try Apple.com store and configure the machine.
Me personally, I would get the better machine if you have the money.
If battery life is a concern, rather get the air or 13" MacBook pro.
Click to expand...

This was the case with the last MBP I had.

Just saw this as well..
http://apple.stackexchange.com/ques...o-intel-iris-pro-on-macbook-pro-under-windows
 
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Darko

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I have this model. The 2.2 16GB 256GB Retina 15".

The battery life is good. I use Parallels 9 with Win 8.1, and Visual Studio, and I get about 3-4 hours on battery. I charge until full, then I let it run until around 25% before I plug in again.

I only use VS on teh Win machine, and the rest I run off Yosemite - Office, browsing, skype etc. I have an extra screen so Mac on left, Win on the native.

I can't confirm your GPU concerns though, I don't use anything that is GPU heavy.
 
xera

xera

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Darko said:
I have this model. The 2.2 16GB 256GB Retina 15".

The battery life is good. I use Parallels 9 with Win 8.1, and Visual Studio, and I get about 3-4 hours on battery. I charge until full, then I let it run until around 25% before I plug in again.

I only use VS on teh Win machine, and the rest I run off Yosemite - Office, browsing, skype etc. I have an extra screen so Mac on left, Win on the native.

I can't confirm your GPU concerns though, I don't use anything that is GPU heavy.
Click to expand...

Thanks for feedback. What I mean is, if you use bootcamp, how is battery life if just doing light work, (nothing graphic intensive) ?

And how would you rate the machine overall? Would you buy again? Would you go for the more expensive model, or is this one fast enough?
 
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Darko

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I don't use Bootcamp I'm sorry. Just use Parallels when I'm at work to dev.

I really enjoy the machine. It's fast, and it hasn't given me any issues so far. I have the US version, and have been running Yosemite since the 1st public beta. I use it for Lightroom and some Photoshop work, and I have edited a couple of videos here and there.

Great machine, don't really see how I would benefit from the next in line model. Except of course the extra HDD space.

The only real issue I guess is the lack of USB / Ethernet ports. I now have 2 lightning adaptors for Ethernet and DVI. There are only 2 USB ports, and one of them is taken up by my mouse until the magic mouse arrives. So I'm often unplugging devices.

I have had a look for decent lightning expansion docks, but nothing has struck my fancy just yet.
 
xera

xera

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Darko said:
I don't use Bootcamp I'm sorry. Just use Parallels when I'm at work to dev.

I really enjoy the machine. It's fast, and it hasn't given me any issues so far. I have the US version, and have been running Yosemite since the 1st public beta. I use it for Lightroom and some Photoshop work, and I have edited a couple of videos here and there.

Great machine, don't really see how I would benefit from the next in line model. Except of course the extra HDD space.

The only real issue I guess is the lack of USB / Ethernet ports. I now have 2 lightning adaptors for Ethernet and DVI. There are only 2 USB ports, and one of them is taken up by my mouse until the magic mouse arrives. So I'm often unplugging devices.

I have had a look for decent lightning expansion docks, but nothing has struck my fancy just yet.
Click to expand...

Cool, good to know, thanks.. I am aware of the 2 USB port limitation, however I have lived with it before, and can do it again.

I don't know why you are buying a magic mouse. I have tried it before, and it wasn't easy to use/responsive/comfortable. But mice is a very personal thing I guess. I'll stick with my G400s any day.
 
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Darko

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I had a mid 2010 MBP 17" before this one, and I used the MM, and I loved it. That's why I got one again. I find it quite user friendly. Does take getting used to.

Congrats on teh machine. Enjoy it!
 
$m@Rt@$$

$m@Rt@$$

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You can disable the nVidia card under OSX. Although I don't have any experience regarding the changeover to Windows, my guess would be that if you disabled the nVidia card under OSX it will disable under Window too.
 
xera

xera

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$m@Rt@$$ said:
You can disable the nVidia card under OSX. Although I don't have any experience regarding the changeover to Windows, my guess would be that if you disabled the nVidia card under OSX it will disable under Window too.
Click to expand...

Nope, I wish - was not like that on my old one, and see the links above for new ones.
 
bwana

bwana

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Anyone got anything bad to say about the 15-inch: 2.5GHz with Retina display before I go ahead and press the button?
 
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Darko

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I love the 2.2, so I guess the 2.5 will be even better! Not too sure how the bigger CPU and the dedicated graphics will affect the battery?
 
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sn3rd

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I've got a late 2013 (ME294) rMBP (got it on one of the recent IC deals), and it didn't do very well at the switch to Yosemite. Since then, have been a few reboots when resuming from sleep, but otherwise it has been smooth. It gets quite hot when the GPU has to work hard, but it's a dream to work on. Most days I can work a full day without plugging in at all.
 
bwana

bwana

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If someone knows the dimensions of the macbook pro 15" box could they please share their knowledge with me? :)
 
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