I know this debate has been done to death, but I'm still not sure which to pick 
I'm starting university in approx. 3 weeks time to study aerospace engineering for 4 years and I want a new computer that will last me throughout that time.
I currently have 2012 MacBook Air 11 as my main machine with an external monitor at home, but after using it over the past year Ive found it too small when working without an external monitor. Given Im likely to be using a laptop outside of my accommodation most of the time I want a larger model for university.
From what I've read on a couple of other student forums it seems likely that if I need to run any intensive modeling or simulation software, it will be on the universities computers, rather than my own. With that in mind I don't necessarily need a really power computer.
I'm torn between the two setups below. The main attraction for me with the retina is the ability to run 1680x1050 scaled, although I suppose even 1440x900 will be a big step up from 1366x768!
If I do decide to go with the retina I would be waiting until the Haswell refresh, despite that not being ideal as I will most likely have already started university.
Also, as the refresh looks to be happening on September 10th at the absolute earliest I'll no longer qualify for the BTS gift card (offer ends on the 6th). I was planning to sell this for around £60 to bring to cost of the Air down a little, which means the Pro would £120 more expensive than the Air.
Which should I buy?
I'm starting university in approx. 3 weeks time to study aerospace engineering for 4 years and I want a new computer that will last me throughout that time.
I currently have 2012 MacBook Air 11 as my main machine with an external monitor at home, but after using it over the past year Ive found it too small when working without an external monitor. Given Im likely to be using a laptop outside of my accommodation most of the time I want a larger model for university.
From what I've read on a couple of other student forums it seems likely that if I need to run any intensive modeling or simulation software, it will be on the universities computers, rather than my own. With that in mind I don't necessarily need a really power computer.
I'm torn between the two setups below. The main attraction for me with the retina is the ability to run 1680x1050 scaled, although I suppose even 1440x900 will be a big step up from 1366x768!
If I do decide to go with the retina I would be waiting until the Haswell refresh, despite that not being ideal as I will most likely have already started university.
Also, as the refresh looks to be happening on September 10th at the absolute earliest I'll no longer qualify for the BTS gift card (offer ends on the 6th). I was planning to sell this for around £60 to bring to cost of the Air down a little, which means the Pro would £120 more expensive than the Air.
Which should I buy?
