MBA for someone start to learn web development?

Edit: Typo in the title, how embarrassing
Hey all, I'm going to be making the choice between an MBA and rMBP in the next few weeks and was looking for some advice either way. Both would be specced as i5/256/8gb and the price difference with the educational disc ounce is only around $60. The retina screen seems great and all, but I'm a bit concerned that the resolution is so darn big compared to the air - it doesn't really feel like I'd have much screen real estate at the native resolution and what's the point of having a great screen if you can't fit your windows in it? Could anyone weigh in on the optimal choice for someone who will be using it primarily for schoolwork (writing papers) and learning web development? (i.e. pdfs, Code School tabs, Sublime and Terminal open). I currently have the Air and love it but the screen does bother me. If they had a retina at the Air resolution that would be perfect but from what I've read scaling on the rMBP drains battery life. Also I know Haswell improved the rMBP battery, but I'd really miss all day battery life especially as a student! I'm leaning towards the Air now but just wanted to hear if the retina might be better one way or another. Thanks!

 

Yeah, but doesn't having to run it in scaled further decrease the battery life? It would be bothersome to have to deal with a 6-7hr battery coming from the 9-11hr battery on the air.

 

Is that factoring in keeping your display at a scaled resolution or are those numbers for the default resolution?

 

Ok thanks! So given my situation would you be more inclined to go with the Air or the rMBP?