Retina Macbook Pro or Macbook Air

[freehillary]

Macbook Air with External Monitor?

I think people are vastly exaggerating whats needed for typical digital design work. the MBA will be just fine.

here are some links from a designer and a developer (take note these were for the 2011 models, so 2012 MBA will be even better)

http://mondaybynoon.com/20110712/macbook-air-web-development

http://foundationsix.com/index.php/weblog/archive/a_week_of_web_design_with_the_new_macbook_air

as a developer/designer myself (not a student), i actually have the retina macbook on order right now but i am considering canceling it and just getting an upgraded MBA instead. i am not convinced the web is ready for desktop retina display yet and i'd save about $1000.

as for screen real estate, i ALWAYS work with an external monitor. 11", 13", 15" are all too small imo, no matter what the resolution.

This is my first post in this forum, so I hope I get it right! First of all, this thread has been very helpful and I read both of the links in stevelam's post. I'm leaning towards an 11-inch 128GB MacBook Air with an external monitor. My question is - is there any significant different between the 11-inch 128GB and the 13-in 128GB? Doesn't seem like it and if I'm using an external monitor anyway, I would rather go smaller. Also, in the second post, he uses a 27" Apple external monitor. Is 27" about the smallest you would go for graphic and web design? Does it need to be Apple or could I go for a less expensive monitor?

Thanks so much in advance for any guidance!!

 

[iAppl3Fan]

If you can't do both, go with option 1. The MBA is good enough for college with the portability and graphics design. Since it still cheaper than the retina, you can buy a new MBA 2 years from now if you want and sell this one and still be around the cost of the base RMBP.