Buy Macbook Pro with Retina Display now or wait?

Hey guys, I'm thinking about buying an rMBP 13" but I'm confused if I should wait for the next refresh or not. I don't want to buy it then have buyer's remorse as soon as a refresh is announced not 2 months after buying it. Do you guys think they will announce the refresh in the near future?

Also, I'm going to be using this laptop mostly for browsing, watching movies, making documents, etc. Does anyone know of a good Windows alternative to the rMBP? I'm a Windows user. I don't mind trying out Mac but it would be more convenient if there is Windows laptop as good as the rMBP. I'm looking for high-res screens (1080p at least, the bigger the better), very good battery life (this is what attracted me most to the rMBP), good build quality (unibody?) and, of course, thin and light (around the same as the rMBP).

 

You might be better suites by a windows ultrabook. Slightly better CPU and slightly worse GPU than macbook air. All have either 1080p touch screens or up to QHD. All ultrabooks are mandated by Microsoft to have at least 7 hours of battery life but some have more. I would check out the Acer s7, Sony VAIO pro, and hp spectre 13. Of course you will likely spend $1300 on these high end machines as they are meant to be insanely light (under 3lb) and very thin.

Essentially they are all macbook airs with retna resolution and touch screens.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

Anything more than a minor bump in CPU speeds will be unlikely before Q1 2015.

 

Hmm I've looked into those. HP is out of the question, I don't like their build quality and from my experience, their laptops run hot. The VAIO is too expensive for its value in my area. For the S7, I don't like the fact that it has no dedicated F1-F12 keys (I sometimes like to play MOBAs on my laptop and they are very useful). So far, the only laptop I like (aside from the rMBP) is the Yoga 2 Pro, but I've been reading that it has QA issues (especially with the screen, screen is a big thing for me).

I would've thought they'd update the design of the mbp. They only did a performance bump last refresh didn't they?

 

If you are looking for retina display, maybe give Samsung products a look. Samsung supplies the retina displays for lots of apple products, as does LG. So, if it's only the retina display that you are after, and don't necessarily want a mac, then I would say look to them at least to see if there is anything closer that fits your needs/wants. Plus, you don't seem sold on a macbook pro, so why not stick with what you know you like.

 

I did, the only one they've released that has pseudo-retina display is the ATIV Book 9 Plus. It's a nice, high quality laptop and it has near-Macbook battery life but it's not officially available in my area. They can be got from 3rd party sellers but they can really jack up the prices on those. The lowest I've seen was around $1800 for the base (i5) model. Also, they seem to have the same issue with yellows as the Yoga 2 Pro since they share the same panel.

I really liked their Series 7 Ultra/ATIV Book 7 though, it's really sad that they haven't released a Haswell version of it.

@ontopic

So seeing as there won't be any major updates to Intel processors in the near future, is it possible that Apple will choose to have an updated design for their next refresh of the rMBP? I can't see any other option for them to make their next refresh attractive to consumers.

 

There are currently no expectations for Apple to release a redesigned rMBP in the near future. Any changes to the rMBP in the upcoming months are expected to be specs related.

There is speculation of a possibly fanless Macbook Air with retina display to be released later this year, or early next year. If the retina display is the main reason you are considering the rMBP over the MBA, then it might be worth waiting to see what happens with the Macbook Air.

 

Highly unlikely considering the fact that the "classic" unibody MBP's basic design didn't change from the day it launched to the day it was discontinued (~5 years). The rMBP 15 came out in mid-2012, the 13 a while later. You do the math.

 

I am looking for a possible alternative to the rMBP as well and the 2014 Dell XPS 15 has received very favorable comparisons.

 

I don't especially like the XPS 15. To me the rubber is too soft and not firm enough on the wrists. I use a Dell Latitude system for work and that system too has similiar rubber as the dell XPS but it's stiffer. Something about the XPS is off to me, I think the keyboard is slightly smaller then that of the Mac's but typing and using the touchpad on that system would not be my first choice. On top of that I find that the system is getting a little hotter then my Macbook. Keep in mind the only reason why i bought the XPS listed in my sig was because I was able to get it for 1300 from the Dell Outlet.