The list for me:
Gigabit ethernet, I need it, no self respecting engineer or developer goes without it.
Digital audio out, the MBP can be plugged into my DAC+AMP+HD650s for quality music listening, audio output from the Air is vomit without a USB sound card. This is one of the often overlooked points, and it matters.
Colour quality, I like it.
1TB of fast storage for my movies, I need that too.
Fast SSD, not the mediocre job in the air, I want a SATA3 Sandforce drive that I can upgrade myself.
8GB RAM, is the minimum for dealing with multiple VMs.
Lastly, more power, I went the 2.7 i7 because I like the extra speed.
That's really the point of the MBP, its as portable as the air but can be used as a proper workstation. Having everything inside the machine in a 13" form factor is portable. Having an air + usb sound card + usb ethernet adapter + usb external storage + USB hub is not portable.
Gigabit ethernet, I need it, no self respecting engineer or developer goes without it.
Digital audio out, the MBP can be plugged into my DAC+AMP+HD650s for quality music listening, audio output from the Air is vomit without a USB sound card. This is one of the often overlooked points, and it matters.
Colour quality, I like it.
1TB of fast storage for my movies, I need that too.
Fast SSD, not the mediocre job in the air, I want a SATA3 Sandforce drive that I can upgrade myself.
8GB RAM, is the minimum for dealing with multiple VMs.
Lastly, more power, I went the 2.7 i7 because I like the extra speed.
That's really the point of the MBP, its as portable as the air but can be used as a proper workstation. Having everything inside the machine in a 13" form factor is portable. Having an air + usb sound card + usb ethernet adapter + usb external storage + USB hub is not portable.