Base 21.5" iMac vs Base 13" rMBP speed/performance

[mrbrycel]

I know on paper it seems that the iMac would beat the rMBP by with the slightly faster processor, but will the iMac and its 5400rpm hard drive slow anything down in comparison to the SSD in the rMBP?

 

[trustever]

Consider that the 13 rmbp has a dual core processor and the imac has a quad core so in the processing speed the Imac will win hands off.

The benefit of the SSD is just in a quicker start of the OS and the software installed on the machine but when it comes to running that software the 2 extra core will make the difference.