This FAQ’s page lists down a number of “pros and cons” for the 15-inch Retina Display MacBook Pro model.
This may help you evaluate if the list aligns with your laptop needs in helping you decide whether a 15-inch Retina Display MacBook Pro model is the perfect choice for you.
Photo Credit: pncreviews.com
Pros:
- High-quality, ultra high-resolution beautiful display at 2880×1800, 220 ppi
- Lightweight and thin, especially for its display size
- Quite fast, especially due to flash storage (All models — the discontinued Late 2012, Early 2013, Late 2013 and Mid-2014; and the current Mid-2015 line)
- Fast graphics performance (models with dual graphics processors and with dedicated graphics)
NOTE: These have all been discontinued
- Internal storage can be upgraded after purchase (end-user upgrades not formally supported)
- Excellent battery life, generally
- Two (2) USB 3.0 ports
- Two (2) Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 ports and one (1) HDMI port support at least two (2) simultaneous external 3840×2160 displays (current models with dedicated graphics alternately support a single massive 5120×2160 display)
- SDXC Card reader
Cons:
- Older, blurry applications not updated
- Sluggish scroll performance
- Soldered RAM in place and cannot be upgraded after purchase at all (systems can have as much as 16GB RAM; “Late 2013” and later models have 16GB of RAM by default; but no models can be upgraded beyond 16GB; models shipped with 8GB RAM cannot be upgraded later)
- Internal storage is not intended to be upgraded by an end user
- Discontinued “Late 2013” and “Mid-2014” models (current “Mid-2015” models that are equipped with integrated graphics often have inferior graphics performance compared to earlier models with dedicated graphics that they replaced)
- Glued battery in place and impossible to replace without discarding the top case assembly which includes the trackpad
- No internal Ethernet or Firewire (adapters are available at an additional cost)
- No internal optical drive (external option available)
- New MagSafe 2 power connector requires adapter (MD504LL/A) to use with an LED Cinema Display, Thunderbolt Display, or earlier MagSafe power adapter
- Expensive
Is this 15-inch Retina Display MacBook Pro the right one for me?
Ultimately, if you have the budget and you don’t care as much about the legacy support or future upgrades and repairs, a powerful notebook that comes with a beautiful, ultra high resolution display is your perfect match. That’s the 15-inch Retina Display MacBook Pro!
However, if physical dimensions weigh more importance to you than display size and resolution, along with performance or additional connectivity – plus you’re strictly on a budget – you may want to look at either the 13-inch Retina Display MacBook Pro or a MacBook Air instead.
If you need the ability to upgrade and the presence of legacy connectivity like Gigabit Ethernet and Firewire, plus having an optical drive in your laptop, the traditional MacBook Pro (that comes with the Unibody design) is your top choice.
Lastly, if the price is a non-negotiable for you and you need to save money, it’s wise to look at the used market for a range of Apple laptops – MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air – that suits your needs. Of course, it’s always good to purchase from a quality company that’s reliable and have quality laptops for sale, especially in the Mac market, so your money and time do not go to waste. It’s worth investing in this device after all!
