Apple MacBook Pro with Retina Display First Look Discussion

[Aikimox]

Lazy and just used bold in the quote.

My main rig has 2TB of storage and almost half of it is work related stuff, which I need with me at all times, external storage won't cut it. 16GB RAM is barely enough to run 4-5 virtual machines. So basically a standard testing environment with 2 exchange servers, a TS, 2-3 DC's with various roles, etc (something that I do on a daily basis) would eat those 16GB for breakfast. So, yeah, 768GB of fixed storage and 16GB of RAM is barely enough for me. Unlike me, most users don't need that much.

[Ralphie1420]

The performance is interesting on the MBPR. I agree the thickness and weight are not major concerns for me. The glued in battery is my major concern. I purchased a MBP 13" while waiting for a more significant laptop. Already I have issues with the battery which will likely need replaced before I give the machine away. I am also having issues with my brand new iPhone 4S and Apple wants to charge me to send a replacement for a warranty issue.

I am looking forward to the full review to make my final decision. The lack of serviceability for battery and memory is a major concern. Likewise, what options do I have for disposal of the laptop long term? If I replace it down the road, I will not be able to remove and replace the hard drive. A requirement in most companies!

[J.R. Nelson]

If I replace it down the road, I will not be able to remove and replace the hard drive. A requirement in most companies!

Actually, it's a pain but you'll eventually be able to get a 3rd party drive for this system, just like you can for the Air. Like the MBA, the rMBP has a slot for the drive; it's not soldered in.

In re: drive replacement, it's very unlikely you'd need to replace this drive to satisfy security issues. Unlike rotating magnetic storage, it's basically impossible to recover data that's been securely deleted from an SSD.

[deshaad]

The retina display is nice, the marketing is nice, but i agree when it comes to lack of flexibility.

With the great help of this forum I went from my mbp to an Elitebook 8760w with dreamcolor @ highest res, 16gb ram, and about 615gb SSD. Plus a much better video card all for about half the price of the retina.

And it still plugs in nicely to my cinema display

[TSE]

The performance is interesting on the MBPR. I agree the thickness and weight are not major concerns for me. The glued in battery is my major concern. I purchased a MBP 13" while waiting for a more significant laptop. Already I have issues with the battery which will likely need replaced before I give the machine away. I am also having issues with my brand new iPhone 4S and Apple wants to charge me to send a replacement for a warranty issue.

I am looking forward to the full review to make my final decision. The lack of serviceability for battery and memory is a major concern. Likewise, what options do I have for disposal of the laptop long term? If I replace it down the road, I will not be able to remove and replace the hard drive. A requirement in most companies!

The thing is though is that Apple actually charges solid rates to replacing the battery. It's just $99, and they support their laptops from the day you buy them to the day there is a redesign + 5 years, so you should be good for a theoretical 8-9 years (3-4 years of using this design, + 5 years of support afterwards).

But yeah, what if you want to replace the battery after your support is lost? I guess it turns into a desktop, which is lame.

[J.R. Nelson]

It's $199 to replace the battery in the rMBP, as I understand it.

Which is - frankly - ridiculous.

[TSE]

Is it? Where is it posted? If so, that's ridiculous.

I believe it was $99 for the Unibody Pros.

[KCETech1]

Is it? Where is it posted? If so, that's ridiculous.

I believe it was $99 for the Unibody Pros.

Battery Replacement for the Retina MacBook Pro Costs $200 - IGN

all over
plus the darn thing is GLUED in

[Merlinen]

It's $199 to replace the battery in the rMBP, as I understand it.

Which is - frankly - ridiculous.

For me 199$ is totaly fine, checked with local mac shop and they will take 1795 (Swedish) kr and most batterys here at work (HP elitebooks and Lenovo) cost for us 1600-2500 (Swedish) kr.

Gona love to change out my brick (8560w) for workstation for this one, hate to have to carry ~6kg laptop+charger

Only thing i am gone miss i built in 3G, but now i get use for my USB LTE modem.

[MSGaldenzi]

Does applecare cover the battery? I remember when i purchased my last new mac (somewhere around 06) I brought it in right before the expiration of my first year and they replaced the battery at no cost under warranty. I just complained that it didn't last as long as it had been in the past. If applecare covers the battery, then you can possibly do that every year for 3 years?