Help Me Choose

[RMSko]

Okay, I know this is a MBA forum so there may be some bias, but I'm hoping I can get some good objective advice. I'm trying to choose between the following two models:

1. MacBook Air with 512 GB SSD, 8 GB RAM and an i7 2.0
2. MacBook Pro with retina display

I will primarily be using the laptop to browse and edit documents, i.e., I don't think I'll ever be doing any video editing or even any gaming on the laptop. I will also mostly be using the laptop in my house, although I may travel with it a couple of times a year. I know that I really don't even need the 8 GB or RAM, but I'm definitely going to go with that. Also, the extra 256 SSD is a nice to have, but not critical. I know I could go with the MBA with the 256 SSD, but since I'm prepared to spend the $2200/$2300, I'd like the difference in SSD size to be a consideration for this choice. I know this is an extremely personal decision, but any thoughts would still be greatly appreciated.

 

[pandaguy]

I will primarily be using the laptop to browse and edit documents, i.e., I don't think I'll ever be doing any video editing or even any gaming on the laptop. I will also mostly be using the laptop in my house, although I may travel with it a couple of times a year.

These two lines make me suggest the MacBoook Air. Go to a Best Buy or Apple Store and you will see the very considerable difference between the two. I mean, it's not necessarily that the MBP with retina display is ridiculously heavy...it's just very large compared to the MBA. If you want occasional portability, I would go with the Air. Plus, you won't even need the super high res display that much based on what you have said.

 

[ixodes]

1) True confessions, I'm a Mac Laptop Addict.

2) I have every current MBA, MBP & MBPr (all sizes) in BTO maxed out configurations.

3) Why? See number 1.

My suggestion for you is the MBA, you've specified.
Hands down, no hesitation.

 

[mattopotamus]

For your use a retina will be insane overkill and a $1000 difference. Air all the way

 

[jennb]

Tough choice

I started with the base retina and ended up returning it after 7 days for the MBA 2.0/i7/8GB/512GB.

I came from a 2009 MBA and really loved its footprint. I used it in my lap 99% of the time. The retina's footprint (not so much its weight) was just a little too big for me.

The downside is that I do miss that screen. (If I lean far enough away from my MBA's screen, I can pretend it is a retina screen. Well, no not really.) That screen is what I think most people will miss the most, unless they are really using the graphics & cpu power. (It sounds like you're not necessarily going to be benefit from that power if you go the retina route.)

I really wanted that retina screen, but I wanted the perfect footprint of the MBA more. It is a really tough choice.

Try to use both in your typical work/home environment if you can, even if it means returning one.

Good luck with the decision!

 

[RMSko]

For your use a retina will be insane overkill and a $1000 difference. Air all the way

Wow - you guys are great! I didn't expect to get such quick definitive advice - thanks so much. My gut was also the MBA and so this confirms it. That said, for me it's only a $100 difference not $1000 since the Air I'm going to go with is only $100 less than the Pro-r.

BTW - knowing myself, depending on what comes out next year, I wouldn't be surprised if this is a "one year purchase" for me. I'm not sure that should affect my decision though?

 

[ugahairydawgs]

Why not just go with the i7/8/256 MBA? If you don't need the extra space of the 512SSD you can get the smaller config for a good bit cheaper than the Retina MBP.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/872017-REG/Apple_Z2322_13_3_MacBook_Air_Notebook.html

I bought that same model from B&H on Tuesday (arrived Friday) and it is great. Out the door it was $1815 and that included AppleCare and a free copy of Parallels. No sales tax makes a fairly big difference.

 

[RMSko]

Why not just go with the i7/8/256 MBA? If you don't need the extra space of the 512SSD you can get the smaller config for a good bit cheaper than the Retina MBP.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/872017-REG/Apple_Z2322_13_3_MacBook_Air_Notebook.html

I bought that same model from B&H on Tuesday (arrived Friday) and it is great. Out the door it was $1815 and that included AppleCare and a free copy of Parallels. No sales tax makes a fairly big difference.

I was thinking of going that route. I actually have to purchase at Apple b/c I'm working with an $1800 store credit and so I won't be able to go with B&H (I love B&H BTW). Also, it's hard to explain, but due to my deal with Apple, I would be saving $100 on the extra 256 SSD ($400 instead of $500). Agreed $400 isn't small change, and since I have and use many external HDs it may not be worth it, but then I keep telling myself it's only $400 and it never hurts to have so much extra storage. Hmmm . . .

 

[RMSko]

I ended up keeping the 512 GB SSD. While I probably don't need all the HD space and could've saved $400, it's nice to have and since my MBA has both the Samsung display and Samsung HD, after reading all the threads on those issues, I think I'm better off keeping what I have.