£1300 budget; Pro, Pro with retina, Air

[Zwhaler]

Go for the retina -- SO MUCH BETTER!

as price seems to be an issue, use the online apple education store. You seem to be quoting full prices--as a lecturer, you can use the education store, which gives you a 10-15% discount PLUS a 3-year warranty. Plus, at the mo, you get £70 iTunes Store gift card--you have to be on the uni network for this to work (or VPN). Buying in an apple retail store/reseller does not include the free 3-year warranty. Hope this helps!

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The retina screen makes it better -- just changed to a rMBP, and the difference is amazing. I am never going to buy a non-retina computer again.

The educational store can be found at:

http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/education_routing

Have you considered that editing video on such a machine would be difficult? The HD resolution of the machine is already too much for the little integrated GPU that trying to do video rendering on it won't be pleasant. I think OP is best off with a MacBook Air for the low budget but personally 15" regular or 15" Retina is the way to go.

 

[MacModMachine]

He's in the UK!

never said he wasn't

 

[Primus84]

never said he wasn't

So why discuss prices in Canadian dollars then?! Prices around the world are irrelevant to him, he'll be buying in the UK.

 

[sonicrobby]

All 3 will perform about the same and fullfill your needs. You just need to personally decide whats most important to you and make your decision off of that.

If you want the best display, retina is the obvious choice.
If you want outstanding battery life, go with the air
If you want the ability to change the HDD or RAM, go with the cMBP (the air and retinas cant be upgraded after purchase)