Moving Forward
Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 12:29PM 
Just got back from a trip to my local Apple store to finally get around to sorting out the ghosting on my Retina MacBook Pro. I picked up one of the first 15" Retina MacBook Pros when they were launched back in June 2012. It's a quad core i7 with 16GB RAM, and it's probably the best computer I've owned.
Performance is stunning, connectivity is brilliant and I love it to bits.
It's so powerful, it was able to completely replace my 2008 8-core Mac Pro - it even encodes faster.
The only issue I have, is that it does suffer from "ghosting" or image persistence. In day to day usage, this isn't a problem to me as I usually work with the machine in clamshell mode, hooked up to 2 x 27" Thunderbolt displays. However, when I do use the laptop without the external monitors, it is noticeable. So, I thought I'd better get it seen to whilst still in warranty.
After inspection, the intended course of action was to replace the screen.
The only problem is that they wanted me to leave the machine with them and it could take up to seven days to replace the screen. As the rMBP is my main production machine, and I've got a ton of work to do leading up to Macworld, that wasn't really an option.
I have got a couple of spare Macs, but they are all a bit old now (relatively) and none have Thunderbolt connectivity. I still have a "spare" Mac Pro, but that is still only in use as it supports some legacy cards for some RAID enclosures and my DroboPro.
More recently, I've bought some Thunderbolt storage, which hooks up directly to my rMBP.
I love having a single production machine, but there are occasions when I would like to access the storage when my rMBP is not on my desk.
One of the things I pondered last year, was to look at replacing an older Mac mini with a new one. I held off at the time as I wanted to wait until they were available with both Thunderbolt and USB3. Well now the new Mac minis do support Thunderbolt and USB3, have quad core i7 processors plus have the benefit of the new Fusion Drive.
The thought of having to live without the rMBP for potentially up to 7 days has crystallised my thoughts. If it causes me pain to be without it for a planned outage, what about if it has an unplanned outage.
You can see where this is going don't you.
So, my current plan of action is this…
- Acquire a 2.6Ghz Quad-Core i7 Mac mini with 4GB RAM plus a 1TB Fusion Drive
- Upgrade to 16GB RAM from Crucial (I'm not completely barking)
- Build the Mac mini as a hot standby production machine
- Move the Thunderbolt storage to the Mac Mini and have it permanently accessible.
So whilst the rMBP is off for repair, I can use the Mac mini as my production machine and have it as an up to date spare machine with comparable performance. It also gives me the benefit of being able to access the Thunderbolt connected storage from any machine (or remotely) plus gives me some exposure to the new Fusion Drive technology for review, and to feature in a ScreenCastsOnline tutorial.
Sorted!
Reader Comments (9)
Don, I have the rMPB and I haven't had that issue (not yet) I love this machine. I also have the Mac Mini and it is great. Hope your gets fixed before MacWorld. Best Wishes from the U.S.
I love the way you manage to talk yourself into buying new stuffs. Priceless. Please don't change the way you are,and keep up the good work Don.
How about founding a Mac museum at ur house Don?
Hahaha! I really envy and admire you simultaneously...
Don. Great minds think alike. I have been proposing the same spec. Mac Mini as my backup machine for my now ageing Mac Pro.
I already have 2 x Mac Mini's at my partners business they are about 1 & 2 years old. The performance is really good, which prompted my thinking.
Peter
Sounds like a sensible solution! And am very jealous of anyone getting a new Mac so will look forward to hearing all about it, especially the Fusion drive
Don...
As good ole Édith Piaf swooned all those years ago.., "Je Ne Regrette Rien."
I just did that, what you are contemplating doing.
No regrets,and the Mac mini is a delight and joy to work with.
Lurve it!
Do it!
Don - Had a very similar issue recently with a mid 2010 MBP needing to go in for repair. My Mac Mini Server worked well as a standby machine. Note that you may be able to get the Apple store to order parts ahead of time and reduce the amount of time the unit is at the shop.
I love my new Mac Mini quad I7 16 GB RAM 1TB Fusion with 27" T-Bolt. Replaced a 2010 iMac, and prefer the component approach vs iMac. You chose wisely.
Just be careful don the i7 ivy bridge minis run quite hot, mine gets to 100 c doing processor intensive work. Think the thermal paste between chip and heat sink is junk.