Macbook Pro Retina 15 inch - Purchase question!

Dear Everyone,

I am looking to purchase a new upgraded MBPR 15inch this coming week and I would greatly appreciate it if anyone who has owned/owning one to let me know if it runs very stable in the new 10.8.3 OSX? Most importantly, seeing as in my old 2010 laptop 10.8.3 forced that computer to run on dedicated graphics all the time rather than using integrated and that heated up the computer a bit. So I'm wondering if 10.8.3 forces the MBPR to run on dedicated all the time or whether its uses integrated?

Also, how is the heat issue in general? Initially I will be mostly using for less labour intensive work like browsing, word typing and gaming (diablo 3). So my question, if there is any user like me at what temp on average does your computer run in.

Last of all, I heard there was screen issues with the first line MBPRs. Is this problem still apparent in the new MBPRs as well?

I will greatly appreciate it if anyone can give me some clarification on these issues mentioned. It will be of great help to me.

THanks in advance.

 

10.8.3 doesn't force anything... it depends on how the software you are running is programmed. You can still force on the Intel graphics. I run my Intel graphics forced on like 95% of the time... only use my GPU gaming, or while working with graphics rendering and such.

GfxCardStatus lets you force on the Intel card... just remember that if you are running an app thats already called for the GPU, you can force it back to Intel without closing the offending apps... then force it to Intel, then re-launch your apps, and they'll stay on Intel until you let them use the GPU, then they'll be stuck on the GPU again until you close them and force the machine back to Intel only.

 

Thanks for your input. Really appreciate it. If its possible can you comment on the rest of my queries please? It'll really help me make my decision.

 

I really have no heat issues.

When pushing the machine hard it will sit in the bit 80s close to 90. I spin my fans up manually though before it gets hot. If I forget sometimes it gets close to 100 before it decides it needs to spin faster... but this is about the same as Macbook Pros have done for years. WHen not doing much it'll sit around the 50s and 60s.

I know nothing about screen issues. I have a rMBP 15" from the original batch i pre-ordered when they were announced, and never have had any hardware issues.

I've had this machine a while, and still love it.

 

Apparently the new batch of LG displays are free of the image retention issues.

 

Thank you guys very much for your informative replies. I really appreciate it. Makes it easier to make my decision now so cheers.

one last thing, how are you guys enjoying the laptop without an ethernet port or an optical bay? i dont use the optical bay much personally, but i don't know if the ethernet cable is a deal breaker,, esp. when you want to connect in case of emergency or something.

 

I used my thunderbolt to ethernet adapter twice since I bought mine 9 month ago. Guess it depends on the wlan coverage / bandwidth you have to deal with.

Used a external optical a few time tough. But I don't mind at all.

 

I have multiple computers... and everyones circumstances are different... but I haven't had the need of plugging into a network in years. I'm sure I could still run into it from time to time, especially while traveling, but just because the port isn't built in, doesn't mean it cannot be done.

Same with an Optical drive... I've had to use one one time since I got my Macbook Pro Retina, but I just used it across the network from a different computer. I do happen to have a USB Optical drive as well I could pull out for those rare times.... but it all depends on a persons circumstances. If someone travels a lot and very often gets discs they need to read, hauling an external around may not be as fun for them.

 

Cheers guys thanks for your replies. Ive made the decision to go with MBPR. thanks for all your input