12" Macbook or 13" Macbook Pro with Retina

[ChelseaTedII]

I guess this is a pretty common question on here but I can't seem to find the exact answer that I am looking for anywhere else.

I understand that the 13" pro has better performance and the obvious more ports but I need to know which would be a better purchase for my scenario.

The cost side is fine and isn't a factor but what is, are the uses of it. I'd mostly use it for completing documents and spreadsheets for college(hopefully taking it around with me with ease) along with using the internet generally at home. I'd also watch films and youtube online so is the 12" Macbook capable of supporting these at a decent level.

Just wondering what you would advise for me to go for in the scenario?

 

[MacManTexas56]

I guess this is a pretty common question on here but I can't seem to find the exact answer that I am looking for anywhere else.

I understand that the 13" pro has better performance and the obvious more ports but I need to know which would be a better purchase for my scenario.

The cost side is fine and isn't a factor but what is, are the uses of it. I'd mostly use it for completing documents and spreadsheets for college(hopefully taking it around with me with ease) along with using the internet generally at home. I'd also watch films and youtube online so is the 12" Macbook capable of supporting these at a decent level.

Just wondering what you would advise for me to go for in the scenario?

I actually bought a rMB but didn't really like it. I opted for a rMBP instead, but also but it for $989 from best buy...so the price had a little to do with the decision also.

 

[bubulol]

I guess this is a pretty common question on here but I can't seem to find the exact answer that I am looking for anywhere else.

I understand that the 13" pro has better performance and the obvious more ports but I need to know which would be a better purchase for my scenario.

The cost side is fine and isn't a factor but what is, are the uses of it. I'd mostly use it for completing documents and spreadsheets for college(hopefully taking it around with me with ease) along with using the internet generally at home. I'd also watch films and youtube online so is the 12" Macbook capable of supporting these at a decent level.

Just wondering what you would advise for me to go for in the scenario?

New Macbook targets toward mobility while rMBP is a compromise between power/mobility
I had 12,1 inche from Dell E4200, its closely related to 11 inches laptop because of similar size
13,3 is also a compromise for mobility/display comfort
two different laptop for different purposes

 

[mpainesyd]

The rMB can easily handle the tasks you describe. it has fully replaced my rMBP for work outside the office. it runs Office 2011, Filemaker database and Parallels Windows emulation (win xp and win8) without any problems so far.

Try it out in the store and make sure you are happy with the screen size and new keyboard mechanism. If you are then its tiny size and weight are good reasons to buy.

 

[0007776]

The macbook probably would be ok for you. Just make sure you have an adapter to regular USB with you. I've found that if you get an assignment to work with other people in a group sometimes it is more convenient to just use a USB drive to share files than to share them over the internet so you might want to have that option.

 

[mpainesyd]

There is one app that I have found is markedly slower on the rMB - Synk file synchronization. I used to run it on a rMBP to synchronize data with an iMac. On the rMB I thought the program has locked up but it was just taking a long time to compare files. I now run it on the iMac and it is runs very fast - still accessing the rMB SSD but from the iMac.

It is still a great machine and meets all my travel needs.

 

[DFTU101]

I have a Macbook Pro (13 inch), iMac, and recently bought a retina Macbook. I think the Macbook is great for portability but is indeed slower than the Macbook Pro at every task. If I were at college and had to choose one computer, I'd take the Macbook Pro over the Macbook. If I have a main computer at home and for travel, I 'd be OK with the new Macbook.