Testing out RMBP; Contemplating the SWITCH

Hey guys,

So, I have the Envy 17-2090nr (3D version). It has a i7-2620QM and a AMD 6850M GPU. I've upgraded one of the drives to a Crucial 128 GB SSD. This laptop also has 8 GB RAM and a 2nd 500 GB hard drive

So, I've been wondering what the hype with Macs and all is about. The 2800x1800 screen enticed me so, I took the plunge and bought the base model.

I've been using it so far, and it is quite nice. However, I'm not completely sold on it; especially since the total cost came out to $2450 with Apple Care and my student discount (I earn more than enough money to splurge every now and then, but discounts always help) and my Envy 17 cost $1600.

I mainly play Diablo 3, Warcraft 3, Starcraft 2, and League of Legends. I've noticed that the Nvidia 650m is no slouch. However, running Diablo 3 in some available resolutions causes some serious graphics glitches.

I'm disappointed that I cannot install Warcraft 3, but I've found a way to get it working, although quite tedious to do whenever there's a patch.

As for general performance, I'm satisfied but I'm still on the fence. Issues with USB 3.0 are giving me seconds thoughts. For example, my USB 3.0 hub that works perfectly with my Envy 17, also works with the RMBP. However, connecting a PROBOX USB 3.0 multi-bay drive enclosure doesn't always work with the RMBP. It gets detected sporadically. Connecting the PROBOX directly to the RMBP always works, but I bought the USB 3.0 hub for a reason and I intend to keep using it. There shouldn't be any issues with the PROBOX or the USB 3.0 hub since they work perfectly (I've tested all the hub ports) with my Envy 17 running Windows 7.

So, what do you guys think? Keep the RMBP or return it? I'm well within the 14 days.

Chime away. Your opinions are much needed.



Please don't tell me to use Bootcamp. I'd rather use the intended OS for the hardware and virtualize Windows if needed, which so far I have not required.

 

Take it back. When spending that kind of money, you should be no less than 100 percent satisfied with your purchase.

 

Good point. The Mac is quite nice; especially the screen. The only issue with it is the USB 3.0 hub and PROBOX being detected once in a while.

I really do like the thin form factor of the Mac compared to my Envy.

 

They are right. If you aren't happy with such an expensive purchase, take it back and wait until a model comes out that offers what you are looking for (whether it is a Mac or not). I know that is wouldn't be able to compromise if I spent $2200+ on a notebook, I would want the experience to be flawless. That's why I went through a few notebooks before getting a MBP and eventually a MBA (which is finally the perfect notebook for me).

 

Me too. I have a 2012 MBA with 8GB of RAM being delivered tomorrow or the next day. With the VM usage I need, I really wanted something more than 4 and the local store doesn't carry the 8GB model.

It's probably going to be a keeper.

 

So, turns out the USB 3.0 issue was a really weird one. The hub I have has 7 USB 3.0 ports. Well, the PROBOX is detected if I use the group of 3 ports on one side instead of the group of 4 ports on the other side of the hub. All ports work with the PROBOX on my Envy 17.

 

Sincerely from my take here is the deal

you either have a problem with the mobo or the hub.

Are you using windows or OSX to test out the hub? test it in windows.

ask around for someone that has an ivy bridge pc and test the hub there.

My take is that your hub aint working properly with the PCH from ivy, or that your mobo has a problem with the USB ports

 

I've fixed my hub issue. The problem was that my hub contains 2 USB 3.0 controllers for the 7 USB 3.0 ports. Windows sees the 2 controllers correctly. However, OS X does not. I found a firmware update for my hub and flashing that fixed the hub issues under OS X. Now, all 7 USB 3.0 ports work on the hub. I can put the Mac to sleep and wake it up and the ports still work.

In other news, I have decided to return the RMBP. It's a really great laptop. I could game on it; slightly better graphics performance than my 2nd gen Envy 17 and it ran cooler. I'm currently looking for a job and have some offers. So, once I start working again, I'll purchase a fully spec'd RMBP. I have more than enough money to buy several RMBP, but I'd rather purchase later to signify my transition into industry.

 

My opinion: You thought this through all wrong. Boot Camp is provided by Apple, works well (save for the trackpad drivers) and gives one the best Windows experience on Mac hardware.

(why couldn't you install Warcraft 3?)

 

Except that Boot Camp is only meant to be a solution to boot into Windows, natively, to run a Windows only program when need be. It was never, ever, ever designed to let Windows be the primary OS on Macs, that is OS X's purpose. The OP wanted to use their hub with their Mac, booting into Windows for everyday use of their hub would not be a permanent solution unless the OP specifically overpaid to gain a subpar experience by running Windows as the primary OS.