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13" macbook pro retina vs. macbook air
- Thread starter SHNXX
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I have both machines, and prefer my 13" rMBP all the time. Reasons?
1. Retina display. It's really good. Ignore those who say retina is overhyped - it's really that good over the standard display.
2. Power. I've 16GB RAM in my 13" rMBP and never regretted it, because I use it to run about 2-3 VMs on it at the same time for development purposes. The Air can only go to 8GB max, but 8GB is adequate for most people.
Although the 13" rMBP is slightly heavier (by about 200-300g), it's worth it. I don't really notice the weight difference between it and my 13" Air.
You may find some useful information in one of the dozens of threads on this topic, such as these:
There really is a big difference between the Retina and non Retina displays. That and the spec bump on the MBP is why I choose that over the MBA.
It comes down to what you're using it for.
If you're not a video, photo editor, and can wait until the fall, wait and get the retina MBA. That way you'll have a retina screen and the most portable laptop that Apple offers.
I'm a photo/video editor and have done a lot of video work believe it or not on my 2011 11inch MacBook Air. The SSD makes the biggest difference in speed. The lightness and portability is amazing.
If you're not a video, photo editor, and can wait until the fall, wait and get the retina MBA. That way you'll have a retina screen and the most portable laptop that Apple offers.
I'm a photo/video editor and have done a lot of video work believe it or not on my 2011 11inch MacBook Air. The SSD makes the biggest difference in speed. The lightness and portability is amazing.
I think that 12" Retina MBA everyone is talking about will be here in the Summer.
Pro bruh. They are around the same price and you get to do more with the Pro. The air is nice but it doesn't have an HDMI port or the retina.
MBA if you need the battery life, rMBP for everything else
It's worth keeping in mind that the battery life of the rMBP is excellent. Not quite up to the MBA, but you can get 10 hours out of it. That may be more than needed for many.
I've had the '11, '12 and currently on the 2013 MBA 13" but I have to say I may be going to the 13" rMBP for my next portable simply for the retina screen. I love my MBA but every time I use my wife's rMBP I get instant jealous just for the screen alone.
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