i5 2.6GHz Retina vs i7 2.9GHz Classic

Hello guy, how's it been going

To fill you in, I ended up buying a 13" MacBook Pro i7 2.9 GHz with 16GB RAM and a 256GB SSD.

I'm running Logic Pro 9, MainStage 2, VB3 and Addictive Drums.

But here I go again

I made the mistake of going to Best Buy, and they have a returned 13" MacBook Pro Retina i5 2.6 GHz with 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD that I purchased with the understanding that I could return it if I decided I didn't like it.

Wow, the Retina Display is stunning!

I will say this.

Before I purchased the i7, I had a iPad 3 Retina, and when I sold the iPad to purchase the i7, the main thing I missed was the superior clarity and color of the Retina Display vs the non Retina i7.

So for the price Best Buy sold me the i5 for, and the price I can sell my i7 for, it will cost me about $100.00.

My i7 will run out of Warranty this August, whereas the i5 will have a Full One Year Warranty.

So for my needs, what, and more importantly, why would you choose either the i7 or i5?

Thanks!

 

I believe I can live with the 8GB RAM, as my rig is for writing songs at home, and finishing them on a larger, more powerful Mac at my Guitar Players Studio.

Plus, I've heard of Mac users who have upgraded the SSD on the Retina model.