rMBP vs MBA for student

M

mtjensen22

macrumors newbie
So I'm starting university in the Fall and am looking to upgrade from my mid 2009 MBP. I've been torn between these the 13" MBA maxed out or getting at 2.6 Ghz rMBP with 16Gb. I'm majoring in Comp Sci so I'll be using it for programming and the usual school stuff, but I'm also really into gaming. I just don't want to buy a MBA and not be able to play at least some games...I've never used integrated graphics so I'm not too confident in their ability.

Any help or input would be greatly appreciated!
 
If you're "really into gaming" and don't want another gaming PC, you should probably look into the Pro. The integrated cards are absolutely horrible at running modern titles.
 
I have a nice big powerful gaming pc set up for the uber games, but I'm getting a RetinaBook as well, mostly for my game art and design schooling but also for some medium to heavy gaming. Honestly, I wouldn't get an air for gaming... 15" pro or RetinaBook, as we know the screen is a bit more for the NVIDIA card to handle but they have over locked it a bit to compensate
 
Yes, like others said, with an MBA I wouldn't try playing games.

If you're in a flexible situation, you can go with a laptop+desktop route...but I guess that's a topic for another thread :D
 
Honestly I'm not sure how much gaming I would be doing on it, I game occasionally on my current MBP, but I have always left the heavy gaming to my desktop PC. Plus if I don't like the Air I could return it I suppose.
 
mtjensen22 said:
Honestly I'm not sure how much gaming I would be doing on it, I game occasionally on my current MBP, but I have always left the heavy gaming to my desktop PC. Plus if I don't like the Air I could return it I suppose.
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Don't get the air If youre thinking of ANY gaming. MBP 15" or rMBP.
 
mtjensen22 said:
Honestly I'm not sure how much gaming I would be doing on it, I game occasionally on my current MBP, but I have always left the heavy gaming to my desktop PC. Plus if I don't like the Air I could return it I suppose.
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I'm going to disagree with the pack and say you actually can game (assuming older titles) on the MBA.

I've been using a maxed 2011 11-inch MBA as a WoW machine for some time. The screen size is limiting, I will say that, but after monkeying with the settings it can stand up in raids decently enough - and the graphics cards on the 2012 Airs are way better than the ones on the 2011s.

In the end, with education discount the maxed-out 13 Air is something like $1649 and the base rMBP is $1999. I loved my Air for taking notes in class and writing on the go. It's a joy. I work in web design, and I'd say I can do about 80% of my work on the Air easily.

So yeah, like you I'm debating between the 13 Air and the 15 rMBP. In your case, though, it seems like the Air is a better choice - more portable, smaller form factor. Unless you plan to handle multiple virtual machines, the Air should suit you nicely.
 
I just purchased a rMBP for law school. I was between the Air and rMBP like yourself; what swayed me was that I keep computers for at least 4 years before upgrading, so I might as well get the best computer I can, to future-proof it as much as possible (Not gonna wait another 4 years before I get with the times and get a retina display, for instance)

Size wasn't so much of an issue to me, as I made it through undergrad with a huge 2007 15" MBP just fine.
 
I also have a custom built desktop for games and just got a rMBP. After installing windows 7 on bootcamp to play windows only games, I haven't used my desktop since. It runs games very well with the overclocked 650m even at high resolutions. Games I've tested: Dota 2 (40-60 fps always with high settings), L4D2 (on osx, constant 50-60fps high settings), TF2 (on osx, constant 60fps max settings). All source games run very well and currently the only problem I'm having is with Civ 5 which usually gets 60fps except when panning the game, it starts to stutter for some reason.
 
I've always had Pros and been a power hog, plus I hate not being on the cutting edge of tech...I'll probably end up going with a rMBP honestly.
 
I think its pointless to spend that much on a laptop just to game. You could by a solid 13" MBA for $1000 or so and then spend the rest ~$1000 on a GREAT gaming PC.

You'll be able to do moderate gaming on a rMBP for 2 years or so, and then it'll drop off to running everything on low.

With a gaming PC you'll be able to play everything on high for 2-3 years then medium for another 2 years or so.

Beyond gaming, this would provide with a great setup for coding. You'll have a real workhorse to use for any serious work you need to do.

There isn't much reason to spend that much extra cash for rMBP just to game when a MUCH, MUCH better setup can be had for less money.
 
is this really a debate? If you are a CS major you are going to want the programming real estate of the retina. Plus it is so thin now, I would say it is just as portable as an AIR. No brainer for me
 
Hackintosh Sr. said:
is this really a debate? If you are a CS major you are going to want the programming real estate of the retina. Plus it is so thin now, I would say it is just as portable as an AIR. No brainer for me
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please. when i was a CS student i programmed on a 13" screen just fine. and the air definitely feels much lighter than the RMBP.

what programming IDE's have even been updated for retina display?
 
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