New Macbook Pro Retina, 2.7Ghz, 16gb ram impressions

[Sergio Perez]

Hi all,

Just received the new Retina Macbook Pro and am doing some simple tests. No Rocket. Already downloaded Redcine-X Pro 14. Software available for test is Redcine X Pro FCP (7 and X) and CS 5.5 (not installed yet) . Any tests you would like please ask. However, cut me a break since I don't do high end post, I leave this to the specialists. This is a "director's" editing machine.

Very first impressions so far:

Love the screen. The Glare is noticeable less to previous non mate Macbook Pro's and are quite workable in artificial light environments. Still haven't tried outdoors. Weight is significantly reduced from previous generation. Boot up is incredibly fast, much faster than my 2009 Macbook Pro with a 3rd party SSD.

Redcine X initial impressions: Transcoding to Prores is a bit faster than my 2008 Macpro, and playback works well at 1/4 quality for 5K footage. User interface, however, just looks too small in this 15" screen. Maybe a new layout configuration can be provided by Red to take advantage of this beautiful screen? I certainly miss the 17" size for basic image manipulation. Right now, the Redcine X UI just doesn't suit very well this small screen. Exported a 2K clip to see it in playback and it looks gorgeous. Still haven't tried exporting a 4K clip to see how it performs. Will report back in a couple of hours or in the next few days, if time and work permits. All in all, very happy with the purchase.

Will have to place an order to the Sonnet Expansion box to put my rocket pretty soon. Since this Macbook Pro is outperforming my Macpro, I might go full mobile until the next generation Macpro comes.

[Gary Britton]

Thanks Sergio. Please do keep us informed as to how your Sonnet expansion box works out!

[Eric Santiago]

Sergio are you using any Firewire/eSATA drives with your new system?
Im hoping Apple would release the FW>TB cable soon.
Would like that before plunging in :)

[Mathieu Ghekiere]

Sergio are you using any Firewire/eSATA drives with your new system?
Im hoping Apple would release the FW>TB cable soon.
Would like that before plunging in :)

Don't forget that Sonnet also has an Echo Thunderbolt adapter that lets you connect an Expresscard 35 interface to it. In combination with a Sonnet Expresscard34/Firewire800 adapter or Expresscard34/eSata adapter, you should be able to connect those already.

[Don Whitley]

Sergio the model you did your test on is it 8 gig model or 16. Was thinking about purchasing but haven't decided on 8 or 16gig model . I'm aware there's no upgrade path after purchase will be using solely for redline x and adobe premiere

[Matthew Mann]

Sergio, you should be able to change the scaling in the display section of settings to get more of the RCX interface on the smaller screen. Hope that helps! :)

[Eric Santiago]

Don't forget that Sonnet also has an Echo Thunderbolt adapter that lets you connect an Expresscard 35 interface to it. In combination with a Sonnet Expresscard34/Firewire800 adapter or Expresscard34/eSata adapter, you should be able to connect those already.

Thanks Mathieu but that one is costly compared to a 40 dollar converter (regards to FW). We will keep it in mind for eSATA. Our Uni as old as 2009 are still handling things well on the field :)

[Tom.Wong]

when the belkin TB hub comes out that should solve a lot of missing ports issues (if it's not a piece of junk)

one hub with fw800, more usb ports, ethernet, and daisy chain for TB. pretty slick. honestly I only use fw 800 for quick mobile drives like lacie ruggeds quick stuff, and downloading audio. it's nice you'll have some modularity now to have the slimmest setup when you don't need the extra stuff, and you can build it up when you need it.

matrox is coming out with something similar as well with a dvi port, but no second TB port for daisy chain on prelim specs. total deal breaker there if that's the case.

[Steve Johnson]

Sergio the model you did your test on is it 8 gig model or 16. Was thinking about purchasing but haven't decided on 8 or 16gig model . I'm aware there's no upgrade path after purchase will be using solely for redline x and adobe premiere

Don - I was thinking the same thing - but Sergio put it in his title - its 16GB!

:))

[David Ibbitson]

The next release of RCX will take advantage of the Retina display.

~ David