Need vs Want #firstworldproblems (Laptop purchase)

[Tsuchiya]

Hello! I'll try and keep this short.

I'm looking to buy a new laptop for university, I think I've met the limitations of my iPad 2 which just doesn't cut it anymore.

All I really need is something with a decent screen, a long battery life, and OSX which is light enough to not be a chore to carry around all day.

Rationally, a 13" MBA is perfect for those needs. However, I'm really tempted by the 13" rMBP. It's slightly more expensive, but the battery life is still decent and I think the price gap is justified considering the display, extra power (which would be useful considering the backlog of HD video I need to go through and edit), and design. I just prefer it over the Air, and like that it comes with a HDMI port.

What do you guys think?

(I won't go into how considering the pricing of an i7, the base 15" starts looking tempting)

 

[maflynn]

Sounds like you have justified the 13" rMBP purchase already. I say go for it. You are correct decent battery (As compared with the MBA), better screen. If it were me, I'd opt for the rMBP

 

[DaveTheRave]

The only problem with these machines is that now the RAM and SSD's cannot be upgraded later on, so realistically the base line models are not going to be future proof. And the upgraded models cost a ton. Yes, you can buy an external HD but that's a hassle and makes it more difficult to backup your files. I'm sure editing HD video will take up a lot of room on your laptop. Maybe consider the regular Macbook Pro (non-retina)? You can still upgrade after the fact if necessary. I can't see buying an MBA or MBP until SSD prices come down.

 

[linkgx1]

The only problem with these machines is that now the RAM and SSD's cannot be upgraded later on, so realistically the base line models are not going to be future proof. And the upgraded models cost a ton. Yes, you can buy an external HD but that's a hassle and makes it more difficult to backup your files. I'm sure editing HD video will take up a lot of room on your laptop. Maybe consider the regular Macbook Pro (non-retina)? You can still upgrade after the fact if necessary. I can't see buying an MBA or MBP until SSD prices come down.

I don't really think anything could ever be future proof. I have a feeling if they do come out with OSX 11 soon, that much of the features you'll want to use will be tied to much newer hardware. I mean, even look at what happened with the iPad 3. I think it's best to buy for now, with a little bit of room later.

 

[DaveTheRave]

I don't really think anything could ever be future proof. I have a feeling if they do come out with OSX 11 soon, that much of the features you'll want to use will be tied to much newer hardware. I mean, even look at what happened with the iPad 3. I think it's best to buy for now, with a little bit of room later.

Yeah true there will always be something better in the pipeline, but still you want to be able to user your laptop for 3-4 years before having to upgrade. Unless you use it for work and really need to upgrade more frequently.

 

[J&JPolangin]

I'm thinking about the opposite, get the cheapest model that meets your needs...save the rest of the $$ for when something new comes out later that you "must have".

 

[username:]

I wouldn't recommend the MBA for heavy video editing. It can do it, but it's not ideal. It doesn't really have the power. It sounds like you'll be doing a fair bit of editing so I would suggest rMBP.