I'd been pretty set on buying the 13" MBA with 8GB RAM but I'm starting to wonder if I might as well get a MacBook Pro Retina as the price difference isn't massive and, while I'd be sacrificing some battery life and a little bit of portability, it sounds like it might be a much better choice.
It's important to note that I already own a fairly powerful 15" laptop that I custom-configured myself running Windows. However, it's very heavy and a real pain to carry anywhere. The battery lasts 2 hours at best and, like a typical Windows machine, it's starting to get a bit sluggish. I will still use this computer for gaming and entertainment but I want a nice lightweight Mac to use for work.
What will I be using it for?
Primarily for uni work. This includes various kinds of programming but I don't need a powerhouse for what I do. I also travel home most weekends for work and I like to travel light so portability is a must. The 12-hour battery life of the 13" MBA is appealing as I could probably go home without my charger. I just want something fast, lightweight and reliable.
What will I not be using it for?
I don't need gaming performance or the ability to render video or complex 3D graphics at a high speed.
Thoughts on the MBA 13"
Obviously the lightest, most portable option which is basically what I want. However I am slightly concerned by the resolution of 1440x900 not being good enough for programming. I've used 1920x1080 for years and it seems nonsensical to be effectively downgrading. I know there are rumours of a Retina or at least 1080p MBA. Should I wait?. I need it by late September but if it's only a matter of weeks until a Mac refresh then I would wait.
Thoughts on the rMBP
Not quite as portable as the MBA but honestly the difference is fairly negligible. The weight would hardly be noticeable and let's face it, it's still a really light and thin laptop. The resolution would be amazing for programming and it's going to be a generally better computer all round. The only downside is that I probably couldn't afford to upgrade the RAM as even the stock version of this machine would be seriously pushing my budget. I would be sacrificing a little bit of battery life but 9 hours is still awesome and would see me through a full day at uni without much difficulty.
Conclusion
Basically, this comes down to the resolution. If the MBA was 1920x1080 then it would be no contest. I do have an external display that I'd use at home (where I do the vast majority of my work) so that might negate any problems I have with it. However, working in 2560x1600 would be awesome. Anyone able to chip in with some advice?
It's important to note that I already own a fairly powerful 15" laptop that I custom-configured myself running Windows. However, it's very heavy and a real pain to carry anywhere. The battery lasts 2 hours at best and, like a typical Windows machine, it's starting to get a bit sluggish. I will still use this computer for gaming and entertainment but I want a nice lightweight Mac to use for work.
What will I be using it for?
Primarily for uni work. This includes various kinds of programming but I don't need a powerhouse for what I do. I also travel home most weekends for work and I like to travel light so portability is a must. The 12-hour battery life of the 13" MBA is appealing as I could probably go home without my charger. I just want something fast, lightweight and reliable.
What will I not be using it for?
I don't need gaming performance or the ability to render video or complex 3D graphics at a high speed.
Thoughts on the MBA 13"
Obviously the lightest, most portable option which is basically what I want. However I am slightly concerned by the resolution of 1440x900 not being good enough for programming. I've used 1920x1080 for years and it seems nonsensical to be effectively downgrading. I know there are rumours of a Retina or at least 1080p MBA. Should I wait?. I need it by late September but if it's only a matter of weeks until a Mac refresh then I would wait.
Thoughts on the rMBP
Not quite as portable as the MBA but honestly the difference is fairly negligible. The weight would hardly be noticeable and let's face it, it's still a really light and thin laptop. The resolution would be amazing for programming and it's going to be a generally better computer all round. The only downside is that I probably couldn't afford to upgrade the RAM as even the stock version of this machine would be seriously pushing my budget. I would be sacrificing a little bit of battery life but 9 hours is still awesome and would see me through a full day at uni without much difficulty.
Conclusion
Basically, this comes down to the resolution. If the MBA was 1920x1080 then it would be no contest. I do have an external display that I'd use at home (where I do the vast majority of my work) so that might negate any problems I have with it. However, working in 2560x1600 would be awesome. Anyone able to chip in with some advice?