New MacBook Pro and Resolume

[Mirko]

I'm in the market for a MacBook Pro that will be used primarily for Resolume.

With new machines released this week, I'm wondering if the Intel Iris Pro Graphics are up to par for working with this software or do I have to get the most expensive model that comes with the NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M featuring 2GB of GDDR5 memory and automatic graphics switching.

Also, is there a noticeable difference between a 2.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 and a 2.0GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 when it comes to Resolume? Screen size is not an issue.

Here are the specs of the machines available, any advice is much appreciated

[Programfeed]

I just received my fully-loaded 15" Retina MBP yesterday with 2.6 GHz / 16 GB / 1TB / GeForce 750M 2GB.

Even coming from a 2012 Retina MBP this thing is fast. The most noticeable improvement is the PCIe storage.

Intel integrated graphics are still a bad choice for VJing at the moment, so looking at MacBook Pros I would recommend either a 2012 refurb or the top end 2013 model to get discrete graphics.

More to come...

[hive8]

Wow these are some crazy speeds, I have to rethink my dell now with a mSATA connection.

[syn]

I was hoping that we'd get an "official answer" to this (no offence programfeed ) like the review the team did last year:
http://resolume.com/blog/9643/vj-review ... acbook-pro

The lack of a discrete GPU in a 2000+ euro machine (the "entry level" 15" retina) is frankly disturbing unless it turns out that the iris can perform like a discrete card.

If it's a question of not being able to run 10 layers of full hd material on three screens then it's one thing but I would hope it could still handle a fair amount of layers in a decent resolution (vaguest description ever).

[Joris]

It's not so much the performance capability of the Intel cards (Iris or otherwise), it's the OpenGL version that they support.

On the recent Intel HD3000/4000 series Resolume runs quite decent performance wise, and we're assuming it will run fine on the Iris as well. Only when using the warping features of Arena do things go glitchy. This seems to change regularly with every Apple OS update, sometimes it gets better, sometimes it gets worse.

That's why we're still recommending against laptops that do not have a discrete GPU. Regardless of what Apple considers Pro these days, a high end graphical application like Resolume will always work best with a proper graphic card.

So don't expect a review of the 13" and 'entry level' 15" from us, as we advise against these models altogether.

[syn]

So setting aside that a discrete GPU is obviously a better choice the iris should perform reasonably well with Avenue but not particularly with Arena? (I use Avenue)

My 2010 Macbook is aging with grace (upgraded to 8GB of ram and a 256GB 840 pro SSD) and the new line-up isn't making it attractive to upgrade.

It's my work machine and I doubt I can manage to get them to splash out for the 2600 euro retina (although you can be sure that I'll try )

Thanks for the information!

[4eyes]

The lack of a discrete GPU in a 2000+ euro machine (the "entry level" 15" retina) is frankly disturbing unless it turns out that the iris can perform like a discrete card.

Apple has been nothing but disturbing for the past few years.

[Joris]

the iris should perform reasonably well with Avenue but not particularly with Arena?

I may be overly pedantic here, but *performance* is the same for both apps. You'll get similar fps results if you use the same setup.

It's only effects that require high end OpenGL functions (chromakey for instance) and the Advanced Output warping that are glitchy or flat out just don't work at all.

On 99% of regular VJ work, the Intel HD cards are okay, so I assume it will be the same on the Iris.

Apple has been nothing but disturbing for the past few years.

You know you dun goofed when even the fanboys like ourselves start complaining.

[syn]

I wouldn't say overly pedantic ;)

Point taken though.

I would think that it would still be a good thing to examine/review.The sudden shift away from dedicated gpu's is a game changer which could result in your user base moving away from macbooks or resolume (although I suspect resolume isn't the only vj app that will take a performance hit).

Personally I have both a macbook and pc laptops so it doesn't affect me too much, apart from the fact that it made the choice of a new laptop a bit harder.

[gregsully]

Apple's decision to put a "GeForce 750M" in the new series of their 'top of the line' products is highly disturbing.. I'm a long time PC guy but was really going to make the jump to mac just so when I am traveling to europe and back I can travel the lightest and leanest. I do agree the product design and form factor of the macbook series is top notch.. However the reality is that given Apple's choices to dumb down their products products (Hardware and software), its clear they are trying to sell more to soccer moms than artists with real needs.

The 750m is slower than last years 660m but a far margin... from 15 to 50%!!! depending on what benchmark test you look at..
http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeF ... 245.0.html

The difference of the 750m and top of the line 780m (which you can get with any PC line of laptops) is probably 200-300% difference.. I cant find a chart anywhere that even compares them.. 750m is a joke..

I'm done considering Mac's as a professional option..