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Anyone gone from MacBook Air to Retina MBP?
- Thread starter entatlrg
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I have switched, however it was (and is as I still have the Air) a hard decision. I'd be really happy had they given me the option of an upgrade to 512 GB SSD for less than $600.
The Air still has the best power/weight ratio imho, but I needed a bigger and better display. In addition my Air wasn't functioning with external monitors including the TB, so the current strategy is to have everything in one package with the Retina Pro.
Would Apple give me the choice of a larger display Air (perhaps getting rid of some of the bezel, and increasing the footprint size somewhat) with a 1680x1050 or 1920x1200 resolution IPS display (needn't be Retina for me), I'd have preferred that.
I'm surprised how well I've adjusted to the larger footprint of the rMBP. That was my biggest concern, so far so good. 
I'm surprised how well I've adjusted to the larger footprint of the rMBP. That was my biggest concern, so far so good.
Will you keep it or upgrade your Air?
I'm surprised how well I've adjusted to the larger footprint of the rMBP. That was my biggest concern, so far so good.
I agree. I am so much happier with the rMBP. Was just watching HD Breaking Bad on it....WOW!
Now that I've used the rMBP for a week ...
If I keep the 15" rMBP then I'll upgrade my 2011 Air to a 2012 11" Air with i5/8GB/512SSD.
If I don't keep the 15" rMBP then I'll buy the 2012 13" Air ultimate.
My decision has nothing to do with price, it's a business machine, so cost isn't an issue. I'm looking to get the set up I'm most comfortable using.
I bought the rMBP for the screen and reduced weight more that the power. While I do design work, CAD etc my Air's adequately handle the tasks I do.
I'm looking at a notebook screen 6 to 12 hours a day, the Retina is nice for sure, once all app's and UI's look like Safari's does now - wow.
I'm not one to work at a desk or set place, hence my Mac Pro and ACD's don't get used for more than a server and storage and final stages of design projects.
I'll work 90% of the time from my home office, cottage, couch, outside on the deck etc and always have a laptop by my side. This is where I'm not as fond of the rMBP, while it's thin and light its footprint is noticeably larger. Don't get me wrong, it's doable and better than I expected for typing long hours on my lap, but the Air's, for me are just about perfect.
Using it for the past week, comparing to my Air's it's just not as convenient and enjoyable to use as the 13 or 11" Air's. Nor should it be, that's not it's main purpose.
The question is do I choose in favour of the screen or in favour of the size and weight.
A 13" Retina would be my dream machine I suppose, but I gotta say the 11" Air has to be the favourite notebook I've used to date.
It's puzzling because I'm normally a good decision maker and don't' waste much time on it, but with Apple notebooks I'm the worst.
How are the other previous Air owners liking the rMBP?
If I keep the 15" rMBP then I'll upgrade my 2011 Air to a 2012 11" Air with i5/8GB/512SSD.
If I don't keep the 15" rMBP then I'll buy the 2012 13" Air ultimate.
My decision has nothing to do with price, it's a business machine, so cost isn't an issue. I'm looking to get the set up I'm most comfortable using.
I bought the rMBP for the screen and reduced weight more that the power. While I do design work, CAD etc my Air's adequately handle the tasks I do.
I'm looking at a notebook screen 6 to 12 hours a day, the Retina is nice for sure, once all app's and UI's look like Safari's does now - wow.
I'm not one to work at a desk or set place, hence my Mac Pro and ACD's don't get used for more than a server and storage and final stages of design projects.
I'll work 90% of the time from my home office, cottage, couch, outside on the deck etc and always have a laptop by my side. This is where I'm not as fond of the rMBP, while it's thin and light its footprint is noticeably larger. Don't get me wrong, it's doable and better than I expected for typing long hours on my lap, but the Air's, for me are just about perfect.
Using it for the past week, comparing to my Air's it's just not as convenient and enjoyable to use as the 13 or 11" Air's. Nor should it be, that's not it's main purpose.
The question is do I choose in favour of the screen or in favour of the size and weight.
A 13" Retina would be my dream machine I suppose, but I gotta say the 11" Air has to be the favourite notebook I've used to date.
It's puzzling because I'm normally a good decision maker and don't' waste much time on it, but with Apple notebooks I'm the worst.
How are the other previous Air owners liking the rMBP?
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After using rMBP for about a week, it is pretty light to me. I got used the screen size really fast because I couldn't even use my friend 13' because it felt so small. It's a portable machine and doesn't feel heavy in my bag and fits good in my lap, granted I am a taller guy 6'4.
I think it's best you go to the store and actually handle it and pick it up and see how thin it really is. I was debating between the air and retina and I just felt the screen was way to nice to pass up (fact I love watching movies and shows on my computer) and the power and options the machine gave me.
plus I wanted a 512 HD and if I got 13' mac air with that HD I felt at that price might as well go with a retina MBP. I know it's still a big price different FYI.
I think it's best you go to the store and actually handle it and pick it up and see how thin it really is. I was debating between the air and retina and I just felt the screen was way to nice to pass up (fact I love watching movies and shows on my computer) and the power and options the machine gave me.
plus I wanted a 512 HD and if I got 13' mac air with that HD I felt at that price might as well go with a retina MBP. I know it's still a big price different FYI.
OP I plan on selling my MBA. I just moved to rMBP. The reason for me the virtualization i do in Windows. MBA worked but it would overheat but to be fair the CPU and 4GB wasn't enough for my needs. My trade off now is a heavier notebook but I have a beautiful screen and a power house of a computer.
My friend had an air and got the MBPr. He is actually returning it and getting an air. He likes the weight and size of the air more.
Coming from MBA 11" and have just use the rMBA half a day, I think I need some getting use to.
Guess I'm so used to carrying the MBA with one hand holding it on the bottom and typing with the other hand, and can do it while walking. You just don't feel the weight.
Now with rMBP, it's like a balancing act. Scare of dropping it, so I have to put on a desk or on a lap to type.
Then again, it's not MB-"Air". So ppl buying rMBP should know what they are getting.
Guess I'm so used to carrying the MBA with one hand holding it on the bottom and typing with the other hand, and can do it while walking. You just don't feel the weight.
Now with rMBP, it's like a balancing act. Scare of dropping it, so I have to put on a desk or on a lap to type.
Then again, it's not MB-"Air". So ppl buying rMBP should know what they are getting.
I completely agree with this post.
That said, the 13.3" display always seemed like a compromise to me in terms of getting work done. Not so with the 15.6" display of the Pro.
It's a tough choice, one that would be made easy if Apple came out with a 15.6" version of the Air (slightly less powerful than the Pro, but <4 pounds). If they decreased the bezel size compared to the one on the current 13.3" Air, such a larger Air wouldn't have to have a much larger footprint even!
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One more thing, in case any of you think the battery life of the Pro sucks, give the free app gfxCardStatus a try. It allows you to switch to the internal GPU only. According to Anandtech's tests that should bring the battery life to the same level as the Air.
Went from a 11in air to a RMBP and I must say I enjoy the pro way more then the air. It is a bit heavier, but I was so use to carrying a 13in pro for so long before I moved to the air that I really don't feel a huge difference. The RMBP is just as portable as an air with a lot more power which is exactly what I wanted from the pro. I don't like the regular 15in weight as it is a bit to heavy, but the retina is perfect imo.
I need to go to the store to compare a 13" Air to a 13" rMBP. That seems like it would be a good comparison, though I don't think I would get anything anytime soon.
Maybe when the 13" rMBP doesn't cost as much and has a dedicated GPU, I would consider it. For now my 13" cMBP will be fine.
Maybe when the 13" rMBP doesn't cost as much and has a dedicated GPU, I would consider it. For now my 13" cMBP will be fine.
I used a 2010 11" MBA as my main machine for two years and it was fantastic, especially because I was traveling a lot with it during that period. Nothing is like the 11" in terms of portability and power. I'm not traveling as much anymore though and was really needing a dedicated GPU, so I decided to move up to the 15" rMBP. To me the weight is not an issue at all, it's more the size and footprint. It's definitely not as easy to move around as the 11" MBA, and is harder to use in cramped locations.
However, I only need to travel with it about two days per week, and the power of this machine in such a slim and light form factor is insane. I've also since received an iPad 3 and lately have even less of a need to use the MBA. In the end I found that for my usage the extra size/footprint was more than worth the massive upgrade in power, plus that amazing screen, and have now moved to the 15" rMBP as my sole machine, giving the MBA to my sister.
The way I see it, if you need a powerful notebook and can only have (or prefer to only have) one computer, the 15" rMBP is an awesome choice that is still very portable.
However, I only need to travel with it about two days per week, and the power of this machine in such a slim and light form factor is insane. I've also since received an iPad 3 and lately have even less of a need to use the MBA. In the end I found that for my usage the extra size/footprint was more than worth the massive upgrade in power, plus that amazing screen, and have now moved to the 15" rMBP as my sole machine, giving the MBA to my sister.
The way I see it, if you need a powerful notebook and can only have (or prefer to only have) one computer, the 15" rMBP is an awesome choice that is still very portable.
i did move from 13" MBA to 15" rMBP
just to be clear: i was really happy with my MBA and if only it had a more powerful processor i would have kept it
99% of the time i use it for web browsing, music, movies
and that's the perfect machine for that use
but when i come back from a trip, i love editing my RAW pics without hassle and here comes the rMBP
if only i had the money to have 2 Macs, i would have kept the MBA and would have bought a Mac Mini + screen or an iMac just for my more intensive use
now trying to get used to my new 15" rMBP
happy with it, but still a bit confused with the Retina screen and how the machine reacts when switching between integrated and discrete graphic cards
starting a new job soon and i am hoping that i would be able to ask for a MBA
btw: my laptop at home is a desktop replacement, that's why i usually buy MBA/MBP instead of iMacs
just to be clear: i was really happy with my MBA and if only it had a more powerful processor i would have kept it
99% of the time i use it for web browsing, music, movies
and that's the perfect machine for that use
but when i come back from a trip, i love editing my RAW pics without hassle and here comes the rMBP
if only i had the money to have 2 Macs, i would have kept the MBA and would have bought a Mac Mini + screen or an iMac just for my more intensive use
now trying to get used to my new 15" rMBP
happy with it, but still a bit confused with the Retina screen and how the machine reacts when switching between integrated and discrete graphic cards
starting a new job soon and i am hoping that i would be able to ask for a MBA
btw: my laptop at home is a desktop replacement, that's why i usually buy MBA/MBP instead of iMacs
I went from a 11.6" MBA to a 13" rMBP last month. The added weight takes a little getting used to, but the screen is significantly better on the rMBP. It isn't just the resolution. The color gamut is much better on the rMBP. As for performance, the base i5 rMBP is roughly on par with the optional i7 on the Air.
