What Macbook should I buy? Computer science student and xcode development

I'm much like you - I would have liked the greater res of the MBA13, but I had no urgent requirement for it.

In the end, I opted the the 13MBP, as I can upgrade the RAM for cheaper and when I feel like it. The CPU is faster (and to be honest, most of the time I find mine running at 2.9GHz using turbo boost, rather than 2.5) and again I can swap my HDD to SSD at any point I chose. Plus I'm sure that extra power is handy when doing something that requires it.

Go for the Base Pro 13, and upgrade the RAM yourself (which can't be done on the Air) simply as it works out cheaper.

Heart told me Air, but brain said Pro... so went for that.

 

15" high res. would be best for everything. Gives you option to have 2 drives or optical when you need it, plus more workspace (1680 x 1050), and can actually game. If you take gaming out of the equation and have another option for storage at home, get the air but with 8gb (The SSD can be swapped out later, but the 256GB isn't that expensive anymore).

 

Installing Boot Camp means that you have to decide how to partition your drive between Windows and OS X - which is unavoidable, but wastes disc space. That would leave me inclined towards the Pro, because of the larger, old fangled, hard drive.

 

You had mentioned watching movies... Unless you plan on streaming them, then the Pro is the better choice due to the optical drive. I had the same dilemma a few months back, and opted for the 13 MBP i7. The screen resolution is a bit of a setback, but as you mentioned before, you would be getting an external. 15 MBP is also nice, but the 13" fits so much better in my backpack and doesn't hog the desk.

 

Upgrade the Ram yourself, yes you can buy any ddr3 kit.

 

if you want a modular notebook, just get the 15 pro. For pure lightness the air. I don't see a reason to get the 13 pro unless its a money issue. Even then I'd say get the late 2011 15 pro, and save up for the TB (which will be updated at some point anyway)

 

Hey mbace,

I am very much in the same position. After years in professional product development and finally moving to a non development role I am getting the interest back in hobby programming. So looking for my first Mac for doing some xcode app development.

After reading many posts about xcode development on an Air (mostly last years one) I have decided that the 13" Macbook Air 2012 is the one for me. This is primarily based on its portability and what I feel is the best cost/specification balance.

Hope this has not confused you further, and I could still change my mind, but It would be great to hear further opinions on this.

I have seen recomendations more towards the 13" Air instead of the 13" Pro based on the higer res for the xcode ui. I know you are looking to an eventual other screen, but my use will be pretty much exclusively without one.