MacBook Pro Retina to replace 2007 MacPro 8-core?

[budjames]

I just traded in my 2011 MacBook Air for the new 2012 MacBook Air for the faster speed and 8gb ram. It's my primary work computer and I love it.

After reading about the new MacbookPro Retina and seeing one yesterday in person, I was thinking that with 16gb ram and a fast SSD, I could use this to replace my aging MacPro 8-core as my home computer and photo/video workstation. I would connect it to my Eizo Coloredge 24" display for a dual screen workspace. I have 2 x 5-bay eSata/USB 3SansDigital towers in various RAID and JBOD configurations for my data and back ups that I could attach to the MBPR. I would continue to use my full size Apple keyboard and Intuis 6x9 tablet for input. It probably would never leave my home once I set it up.

I was hoping that readers could share their thoughts and/or experiences on the feasibility of my idea.

Cheers.
Bud

[MrSmith]

you would need to find the ideal thunderbolt in/out interface so you can daisychain your various drives, have a fast scratch disk* and use your monitor. i'm sure lacie/sonnet/promise/belkin make something to suit.

*no idea if a scratch SSD as first in the thunderbolt chain will work well or if it's better of being inside the laptop/system bus? which you can't do on the rMBP but is possible on 13/15in MBP by removing the media drive.

i have to say that having seen the retina display i was left a bit underwhelmed and personally would go for a high res 15 with dual ssd's internally. i'm currently using a 13in like this but the graphics card will not run Da-vinci resolve light.

you make no mention of traveling/location work so the gain in portability is maybe not an issue and your eizo is a better screen which negates the main reasons for buying the rMBP

[budjames]

Mr. Smith,

When I travel, I use my MacBook Air with a pair of portable USB (now USB 3) drives, one for working storage and the other for back up.

I love the MacBook Air form factor as my travel/work computer.

Using the MBPR as the home office/photo workstation computer is appealing because the retina display would be used as a second display for palettes, other programs, etc. while I use the Eizo for color critical work.

The other option would be to just wait for the Thunderbolt-equipped MacPro which is supposed to debut sometime next year. It might cost about the same or less than the exotic MBPR.

Bus

[John S C]

The MBP Retinas is a superb machine. I'm really happy with mine. However some years ago I tried using a ( Now conventional ) MBP in the way you suggest, with the MBP being the second screen. Now I  found it difficult to get on with this set up. Nothing wrong with the MBP or the main monitor it was just that the MBP screen was so much smaller than the 24" monitor that I was using. It ended up with the purchase of an iMac and the MBP being used as a travel/location machine. 

If you can I'd wait as see what  the MacPro becomes next year. We may also get some reasonably priced Thunderbolt accessories by then

[budjames]

John,

Thank you for your comments.

After pricing out the new MBPR the way I want it (ouch!!!), I think that I'm going to wait, as you suggest, for a new MacPro in 2013. The price of the new MP would come close to the maxed out MBPR and I think that most of my accessories and external boxes (2 x eSata towers, one requiring a Port Multiplier card in the MP) would just be able to plug into the new MP.

Cheers.
Bud

[BJL]

I just traded in my 2011 MacBook Air for the new 2012 MacBook Air for the faster speed and 8gb ram. ...

After reading about the new MacbookPro Retina and seeing one yesterday in person, I was thinking that with 16gb ram and a fast SSD, I could use this to replace my aging MacPro ... It probably would never leave my home once I set it up.

My reply is probably too late, but if the proposed computer is not going to travel, why not get something like a 27" iMac for less?
Besides portability, the only gap I see with the current iMac models is USB 3, so maybe waiting for the high end iMacs to get USB 3 will make them even more viable as alternatives to the Mac Pro.

[budjames]

I have the 27" Apple Thunderbolt display in my office that I use with my Macbook Air. It's the same display as is used in the 27" iMac, and I love the display.

At my home office, I have an Eizo ColorEdge CE240W attached to my MacPro which I use as my photography workstation. After enjoying the Eizo display for about 5 years, it's hard to give it up for a shiny new 27" Apple display. The color calibration and gamut is superior on the Eizo. Plus, I use 2 external eSata towers for photo and video storage and back ups.

The iMac is beautiful, but I think that the display, as nice as it is, is not up to the task of critical color work.

Cheers.
Bud