Comparable to MacBook Pro 5,5

[Dj64Mk7]

I'm starting to think about getting a new computer. I'm fine with either an Air or retina Pro, but I want something that would have (at least) comparable performance (in terms of running apps like iMovie, Garageband, and/or Xcode, though I can live without Xcode if I must. I don't use any of these apps to do actual work, just for fun) to my MacBook Pro 5,5.

The specs of my computer:
- 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
- [upgraded to] 8GB RAM
- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256 MB
- OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

My budget is somewhere around $1,300. I will buy refurbished in addition to brand new, and I'd be willing to compromise on things like graphics.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[brdeveloper]

I'm starting to think about getting a new computer. I'm fine with either an Air or retina Pro, but I want something that would have (at least) comparable performance (in terms of running apps like iMovie, Garageband, and/or Xcode, though I can live without Xcode if I must. I don't use any of these apps to do actual work, just for fun) to my MacBook Pro 5,5.

The specs of my computer:
- 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
- [upgraded to] 8GB RAM
- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256 MB
- OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

My budget is somewhere around $1,300. I will buy refurbished in addition to brand new, and I'd be willing to compromise on things like graphics.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Do you have a SSD installed? Think about it before buying a new machine. I just bought an early-2013 retina 15" and, to be honest, I don't see a clear performance bump on the rMBP over my upgraded (8GB+SSD) white macbook in everyday tasks, even when dealing with Eclipse+JavaEE programming.

Maybe I would see it running way faster on graphics/OpenCL-supported applications or on massive multitasking (like heavy math algorithms which I sometimes run).

 

[Dj64Mk7]

Do you have a SSD installed? Think about it before buying a new machine. I just bought an early-2013 retina 15" and, to be honest, I don't see a clear performance bump on the rMBP over my upgraded (8GB+SSD) white macbook in everyday tasks, even when dealing with Eclipse+JavaEE programming.

Maybe I would see it running way faster on graphics/OpenCL-supported applications or on massive multitasking (like heavy math algorithms which I sometimes run).

I thought about putting an SSD in my current Mac, but then I decided against it. The reason being that before we got my mom her own PC, she would use my Mac. To make a long story short, she loves the Mac and hates the PC. If I buy a new Mac, we can use system transfer to put her back on my current Mac, while I would still have my own computer.

As for your point about performance, my original post states that I'm simply looking for a Mac with (at least) equivalent performance to my current Mac, but of course lighter, longer-lasting, faster, and all the other the reasons you buy a new Mac.

 

[brdeveloper]

I thought about putting an SSD in my current Mac, but then I decided against it. The reason being that before we got my mom her own PC, she would use my Mac. To make a long story short, she loves the Mac and hates the PC. If I buy a new Mac, we can use system transfer to put her back on my current Mac, while I would still have my own computer.

As for your point about performance, my original post states that I'm simply looking for a Mac with (at least) equivalent performance to my current Mac, but of course lighter, longer-lasting, faster, and all the other the reasons you buy a new Mac.

Well, this said, I'd get a 2013-Air because of it's very portable and not prone to screen issues seen on rMBPs. Well, unless you check the display before buying, so I'd try a 13-rMBP without uneven yellowing nor image retention.

 

[Dj64Mk7]

Well, this said, I'd get a 2013-Air because of it's very portable and not prone to screen issues seen on rMBPs. Well, unless you check the display before buying, so I'd try a 13-rMBP without uneven yellowing nor image retention.

So, now that I've moved my focus exclusively to the Air, I have two questions:
should I get the 11-inch or 13-inch?
which upgrades should I go for to get equivalent performance)?

Speaking of upgrades, is 8GB RAM even worth it anymore (with Mavericks' compressed memory and whatnot)?