Can't decide... high end cMBP vs low end rMBP

[thekev]

If I were to get the Retina, it would need to be either the base with 16GB RAM or the 2.6/512GB version with 8GB RAM and no AppleCare.

I'm so confused too! I'm a typical Libran

They want you to hook you on an as many upgrades as possible. Either next year or the year after, you will most likely see a lower priced rMBP take over the other slot with frozen in time specs on hard drive and shipping ram configuration.

The problem is i want to get the retina pro, but I really need the higher end one, but its so freaking expensive. I just cant justify spending 3k on a laptop. Thats just too much.

In terms of requiring the higher end one, my guess is that part of this is a drive capacity issue. In geekbench the 2.6 had roughly a 10% advantage over the 2.3. It's not likely to be consistently obvious or that great in actual use. 2.6 to 2.7 shows negligible difference. Once you're to a given processor class, the differences aren't that great. Usually when someone absolutely must have the top option, it's a case of could really use a workstation but need portability. If you can wait, you could always look at refurbished options or perhaps the next generation. I have a 2011. Look at how much cheaper those are now. With the possible exception of the gpu, the cMBP is a very incremental upgrade this year.

 

[jacg]

Apart from the screen and the svelt form factor, the critical difference is the move towards SSD storage. If you get a cMBP with a spinning disk, it will seem slow in comparison, although you could upgrade this immediately (expensive) or in a year or two, ending up with a computer that is as fast or, according to some reports, faster than the rMBP. 8 GB will do fine, but again, this could be very cheaply upgraded in the future in the classic. HiRes AG is another no brainier once you've tasted the larger real estate.

rMBP is for bleeding edge now and I am sure there are many happy owners already. cMBP may last you longer, growing with your needs, or at least affordably until the rMBP technology (hardware and software) matures in the future.

 

[WRXHokie]

Thank guys, I appreciate the input. I still haven't made my decision, i'll probably swing by the Apple Store some night to see which one I really prefer.