In multi-core 64-bit performance (which you will be able to utilize in Xcode as Xcode is both 64-bit and multi-core aware) the Geekbench numbers for the following Haswell i7 machines are: 13" Air with an i7 has a score of 6140; the 13" retina Pro has a score of 6919; that is a sizable disparity. That also doesn't take into account the speed increases that Mavericks gives the integrated graphics on both and the fact that the Iris (Intel HD 5100) is better than the Air's HD 5000. I'll accept that's likely a small increase in speed, but it's still adds up.
I've picked up and held both models and extensively. I do that as part of my job. I'm not saying that one isn't lighter than the other; I'm saying that the difference in weight is extremely minimal; and again, I have the experience with the machines too.
First off, the trackpad issues were resolved in a firmware update issued last week. That is a moot issue. Secondly, screen lagging isn't all that bad, but even so that is a driver/OS issue and not a hardware issue (read: it is possible to correct that). You can get a Retina to display any resolution even native; there is freely available software to do this.
You still did not address my question. When do you go more than 9 continuous hours on a computer away from a wall outlet or a power adapter? I get that you code for a living, but most people who code for a living do so in a place where power isn't all that far from them. Even so, it's not like Apple's MagSafe 2 adapters are all that unwieldy to carry.
Dude! I'm an Apple Certified Macintosh Technician! I have opened up both machines and have done extensive repairs to both machines! I don't need iFixIt to tell me how repairable one machine is versus the other, I actually repair these machines myself! The only difference in repairability between the two machines is (a) the battery and (b) the trackpad. That's it! In both cases it's nearly impossible to separate the screen from the bezel and in both cases the replacement of the keyboard requires a complete gutting of the machine and full replacement of the top case assembly. In both cases the RAM is soldered onto the logic board, and in both cases there is the use of a proprietary solid state drive. And lastly in both cases, Apple uses a proprietary screw type to keep users out of the machine. Regardless, unless you are an AASP or a Genius Bar, you're not cracking this thing open to do much of anything other than install an aftermarket SSD as that's the only aftermarket part you can get and Apple doesn't sell its parts to the public.
I work doing this for a living. Your links from "industry standard testers" don't trump that.
Again, I'm not saying that you're not entitled to pick one over the other for arbitrary reasons. But if you pick reasons for which there are holes in the logic of, expect to have people point those out.
Ah sorry that makes things o right. I have MS in Comp Science worked on Windows Linux and OSX, wrote drivers and multicore programs, even those that have lockless rings spinning on CPU's with RT FIFO priority. Built about 20 computers and numerous servers, first being 9 years old.
So lets take your points into considerations.
For a programmer like myself, this machine not being server but a tool that one will use every day, again I say there is no difference in i7 on Air vs MacProRetina in regular day usage, even for a programmer running XCode or one or two virtualized hosts. Having said that the i7 in the macbook retina has more to do to support that retina screen. It is not going to hold a battery charge as good no mater what benchmarks say. I would be surprised that it lasted within 30% as long as MBA in the similar usage (say playing movie). There is big difference between i7 and i5 however, but that aside for regular user is not going to be a difference. Now those 64 bit benchmarks - heh...
If you are going to do that kind of utilization you are better of having 15inch with dedicated GPU.
Again working on Air looks so much more natural than on MBPr. Not something to put the finger on, but it feels much more portable, ergonomic than 13 MBPr.
I am not saying that MBPr is not good to work on, just that MBA is more preferable.
You may not need an all day battery, but I do.
It's getting late and this argument is getting lousy. If the retina screen is not a deal breaker, everything else is better on MBA. There.