Queticopaddler Loc: Western New York State

Hello everyone!
I am new to this forum, and have done some searching already but need some current advice/feedback. I am relatively new to digital photog.; an enthusiast not a pro. Currently working with Canon 70D, Pixma Pro-100 printer, and a 2008 MacBook Pro with only 2 GB Ram. Obviously my computer is ready to be upgraded.
13" MBP non-retina, I7 processor, 16 GB ram : $2,199
21.5 iMac non-retina, I7 processor, 16 GB ram: $1,899
27" iMac non-retina, I7 processor, 16 GB ram: $2,399
27" iMac Retina, I7 processor, 16 GB ram, $2,949 (not gonna happen)
All have 1 TB serial drives except 27" Retina has fusion drive.
My question: is the retina display that big of a deal to command that price? I am debating waiting until the 21.5" iMacs with retina displays are available in spring 2105, or go ahead and get a non-retina now.
I am a looooong time Mac user, and have been to see the retina macs. Of course they're beautiful, but the non-retina displays are pretty darn nice. The money saved on a non-retina could help alleviate some future GAS. What is your opinion on bang for buck?
Non-retina now, or retina later?
Many thanks in advance...

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Welcome to the Force...

You have entered an addictive land of truths, myths, fantasies, ghosts, goblins and good old fashioned advice (whether you want it or not)...

Seriously though - the folks here have lots of good advice and a couple of days of experience and are willing share what they can - don't hesitate to ask detailed questions, in fact, the more details, the more accurate the answer ;)

A couple of links to help you navigate the forum and a couple of resources to hopefully answer your questions or guide you in your quest...

In your decision on upgrading - I would choose the best available within the set I budget. Technology is changing so fast that in a couple of years, the expensive equipment now is cheap and the "state of the art" equipment will be the envy of everyone and expensive... Not a good idea to chase technology - unless you have access to Bill Gates checking account, you will not catch up...

Be sure to post some shots - looking forward to seeing some photos.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Welcome to UHH. I have 3 MacBook Pros with 1 having retina display. I have an iMac 21.5" without retina display. There is very little difference in my opinion. I am looking to acquire a new 5K iMac 27" sometime after the first of the year. I may change my mind and up the RAM to 32GB on a 21.5 in the spring. It's a nice problem to have.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You're right. That is a big step up in price. Have you seen them side-by-side? I doubt that the difference in picture quality would justify the price - not for me, it wouldn't. The "Wow" factor might be nice, but is it really worth paying for?

Apple has more cash than many countries. It wouldn't kill them to cut the price of their products by 50%.

redpepper Loc: Central NY

Welcome! I've got the 15" MBP w/o retina and love it. When I was ordering it, I toyed with whether to pay the extra for it. I'm glad I didn't go with it because another forum discussed that the calibrator Spyder4 does not work on it. However, color munki does. So if you calibrate, this might be the deal breaker for now.

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

I have the MacBook Pro with Retina, and love it. Not really sure it is necessary as I use a wide screen external monitor for editing.

But I have to say 2105 is a long time to wait, thats 89 years...almost!

ABJanes Loc: Jersey Boy now Virginia

In my mind the retina screen is addictive and tends to make print seem flat in comparison. You may want to consider an IPad with retina, which you can use when traveling & for viewing to hold you over until the new offerings become available. I have a 2008 MacBook Pro increased the ram to 2 vs 4 GB and put a high speed 1TB HD in it (7,200 RPM as I recall). Works great but I am not doing any post processing. Often we forget to close all of our open programs which stresses out RAM shortfalls.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

And imagine what the price will be by then. :D

Alfresco

My vote is for the 5K retina iMac and here is why. The last computer you bought was 6 years ago and now you feel it's time to update. The retina iMac is $600 more than the standard iMac or $100 a year spread over 6 years! During that time you'll have a fast, state of the art, at least for a while, computer.
In early May I bought the non Retina 27" iMac and after seeing the Retina iMac, I'm sorry I didn't wait. I've seen them side by side and the Retina is just beautiful and in my estimation $600 would be money well spent, just saying.

SueMac Loc: Box Elder, SD

I have a year old 21" iMac with the i7 processor and 16 gig of ram. It works very well and fits in the motorhome. My only complaint is the internal HD is only 1T. I take photos in the RAW format with the D800 and 810 so the files are large. And my photo library is large as well. So I keep all the photos on an external portable drive and have the finished copies on the computer. I'd much rather have it all on the computer and backed up elsewhere but no go with the smaller drive. I have not seen the 27" retina display yet but I'm sure I'd drool over it. When I process my photos, I put the file on the computer HD, do the work, then move it all over to the ext. drive and keep a finished copy on the computer. Other than that limitation, I sure like this iMac. I like the larger screen. Doing processing on the smaller lap top would be difficult for me. I do a lot of photo restorations and like the larger screen.

Queticopaddler Loc: Western New York State

Thanks everyone.
This has become a classic now-vs-later dilemma. I think the 21.5" iMac with Retina will serve me best, but it won't be available until sometime in 2015. The 27" Retina is more than I'm willing to spend. A non-Retina is available now, but I don't want to have buyer's remorse in 6 months.
Anybody have a GAS reliever? :lol:

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD Lens ;)

stan0301 Loc: Colorado

That 27" with the Retina is the way to go--I have yet to hear someone say "I wish my screen was smaller--or less sharp"--If you are anything like me you spend far more time with your computer than your camera--and you really want it to be as good as you can reasonably get
Stan

jackpi Loc: Southwest Ohio

Given your budget, I would consider the 15" MacBook Pro with Retina display, i7 processor, 16GB RAM, and 256GB SSD (~$2000). If you have any money left, you can buy a 4TB Thunderbolt drive (WD sells one for ~$350) and use half as Time Machine backup drive and the other half for whatever.

The newest Retina MacBook Pro was released in July 2014. I expect a newer version will be available next summer or fall with a faster processor and larger SSD for about the same price.

I have the 13" Retina MacBook Pro (late 2012, 2.4Ghz, i5 processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) and it runs Lightroom just fine. But since Thanksgiving, I am doing all of my photo PP on my new 27" Retina iMac.

Wallbanger Loc: Madison, WI

If you can afford it, and you want it, get the retina. Get SSD storage and max out the ram, I don't believe you can upgrade it yourself later on anymore.

You could always get the non retina and feed your GAS, but you may regret not getting the retina in the long run.

Another thought - Upgrade your MBP by replacing your hard drive with an SSD, and max out the RAM. You'll be amazed by the performance difference.