Trade 2012 Ultimate 13 Air for 13 RMBP 512 ssd?

I wouldn't trade for a 13 rMBP. Myabe a 15 rMBP but really I would just keep the MBA. The 13 rMBP doesn't really offer that great of a deal.

What do you use the computer for?

Interesting scenario. But I would make this trade 10 out of 10 times. The added portability of the Air, in my opinion, does not outweigh a Retina Display, a 2.5 GHz chip and an HDMI port.

My fiancée and I bought a 13" rMBP together and, while there is slight sluggish UI performance here and there, I have yet to ever notice it when I'm not looking for it.

BigB82 said:

you just made me smile so is the UI stuff only in safari? do you notice any big difference in weight?

Click to expand...

Other than the screen what do you gain with the 13 rMBP? Same amount of SSD space, same amount and speed of RAM, same GPU, same claimed battery life, slight bump in CPU speed 1.8 to 2.5. The only thing I don't know is if both have similar SSD speeds?

If you want the retina display + slightly faster CPU in a slightly heavier package then go for the rMBP.


https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=16480707#post16480707

BigB82 said:

I have a friend of mine who is willing to trade my 2012 ultimate 2.0 8gb 512gb air for his lightly used 13 inch retina i5 8gb 512ssd


I am finding it so hard to say no, I really like the retina display. I typically get new machines whenever they come out anyways just cause its a disease I suffer from.

I know a lot of talk is going on here about a possible AIR retina but for the time being I wonder have any others made the switch? tell me your situation. thanks

Click to expand...

take it - hands up, a better deal

Yeah, that sounds like a pretty sweet deal. You are trading up. You can always go back to the Air in the future. It seems like a pretty good opportunity to try something new...

I absolutely love my Air ... but I would make this trade.

Arbitrage opportunity

Make the trade, sell the rmbp, buy a new MacBook Air and spend the profit on beer & dancing girls.

53x12 said:

Other than the screen what do you gain with the 13 rMBP?

Click to expand...

But the screen is a huge deal. That shouldn't be weighed the same like cpu specs or hd specs like "256 gb hd vs 512 gb". The screen is the one constant you're always going to benefit from(expect when using external displays).

I would jump on that trade in a second for a rMPB except the question...why is your friend wanting to trade it?

If portability is not an issue (for me, it is hugely important as I travel a lot), and you actually need a superlative screen for your work, I'd suggest that you go for the deal which you have been offered, as it seems (on the face of it) to be a very good one.

bubbleboyjones said:

But the screen is a huge deal. That shouldn't be weighed the same like cpu specs or hd specs like "256 gb hd vs 512 gb". The screen is the one constant you're always going to benefit from(expect when using external displays).

I would jump on that trade in a second for a rMPB except the question...why is your friend wanting to trade it?

Click to expand...

Yeah for sure the screen is big. Wasn't trying to downplay that but for some it might not be as big of an issue. Each person has to decide that.


OP, seems the general consensus is to go with the rMBP. Here are a few articles that might help you decide one way or another:


http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/23/...-macbook-pro-vs-other-macbooks-and-ultrabooks

http://us.gizmodo.com/5959780/13+inch-retina-macbook-pro-review-so-good-but-so-not-worth-it

http://www.cnet.com/macbook-pro-13-inch-retina-display/

Test it for IR with the checkerboard test before agreeing. You don't want to get stuck with one that has bad ghosting on it. If it doesn't have IR, I'd make that trade every time.

BigB82 said:

I have read about this, can you tell me what the IR issue and tell me how i would exactly test this please

Click to expand...

Download this test, from this link and run it on the laptop.

http://www.mediafire.com/?1jwh6o6ql1wmiww

It will show whether the display is prone to this or not. I'm not trying to scare you, some displays, not all, have this problem.

BigB82 said:

GOD i wonder how many other apple users tend to be as indecisive as me. Im wondering should I go 15? I just hate all the extra weight but dang I wonder if for what I do if it would be better spec wise? I do a lot of live video streaming for car auctions

Click to expand...

I had the MBA 13 i7 2.0/8/256 and RMBP 15 2.6/16/256. I enjoyed both machines but in the end I decided to keep the RMBP and pass the MBA on to family.

BigB82 said:

what do you do for a living if I can ask? how do you use the machine where does the TB display come in? Do you notice a big difference in terms of going from air to the 15 vs a 13 retina?

Click to expand...

I'm in software development. I've never personally used the 13 retina. I use the 15 retina for mobility and when I want to sit at a desk I dock the 15 retina to the TBD and have dual screens. I make the TBD the primary display and it connects to all of my devices (e.g., SuperDrive, speakers, external hdd, etc.) At one point, I had an 11 air, 13 air, and 15 retina at the same time. the 13 air and 15 retina is a noticeable difference in weight at first. This is because I had previously used an 2011 MBA 13 before switching to a 2012 MBA 13. The thing that bothered me more in the 15 retina wasn't the weight but it was the size. After a couple of days, I don't notice it anymore and can switch between machines without a big deal. The retina/non retina switching doesn't bother me at all.

I decided on a 15 retina knowing at the time the possibility of a 13 retina. I didn't have interest in the 13 retina because the retina resolution I had assume was 1280x800 which was more cramped then an air. The high price difference between a 13 air and 13 retina wouldn't be worth it for me.

In your scenario, I think you should do the trade. Mostly likely the Air will get refreshed sooner and it might be easier / value retain better if you're holding on to a "current" 13 retina then a "last year" air. With a 15 retina, I can run the full retina but with a 13 retina I would probably run the highest scaled resolution offered.

BigB82 said:

if it does have it can I take it to apple and change it?

Click to expand...

Hard to know ahead of time, it would depend on the Apple support people. Better to test the laptop before agreeing to the trade.

BigB82 said:

Actually now he says he wants $200 on top, which I am still thinking to do it lol Ill see if he can meet me half way and do $100. He buys and sells macs for a living and so he has this base model machine which he will install a 512 on for me. He is very reputable we buy and sell stuff from each other frequently

Click to expand...

I would not add $200. There is something like a $150 difference new? Apple sells your Air refurbished for almost $1900. $100 would beOK. If he doesn't agree to that then I personally wouldn't do it. I probably would walk away from it just based on him flipping from straight trade to trade plus cash.