What's my best choice for a futureproof MB at max $2.000,-?

[RTF]

Hi there,

New to the forums. Not sure to put this in the MBP or the MBA forum.

This year I want to complete my Apple ecosystem with a new notebook.
Will be my first Mac.

I need:
Size: 13" or 15"
Screen res: min. 1440 x 900
HDD size: 512GB
Proc ?
GPU ?
Battery: Up to 6Hr wireless is plenty

I've got 3 options:
New MBA, 13", i7, 8GB, 512GB SSD
13" rMBP, i5, 8GB, 512GB SS
MBP, Qi7, 4GB, 500GB HDD > then upgrade to 16GB and my current 512GB SSD.

What am I going to use it for?
- Normal stuff, Office, Mail, Webbrowsing
- Lots of Lightroom
- Occasional Photoshop

My current Dell XPS M1530 is now 5,5 y/o and still holding up. Off course LR and Photoshop is getting harder and harder.
I do expect that my MacBook will last at least another 5 years.
The MBA and the rMBP will be the first computers that I consider to buy which are in no way upgradeable. That's why I'm most likely consider the MBP.

What do you think? could the MBA or 13" rMBP help me out for the next 5 years? Or better choose the upgradeable MBP?

 

[kap09]

Hi there,

New to the forums. Not sure to put this in the MBP or the MBA forum.

This year I want to complete my Apple ecosystem with a new notebook.
Will be my first Mac.

I need:
Size: 13" or 15"
Screen res: min. 1440 x 900
HDD size: 512GB
Proc ?
GPU ?
Battery: Up to 6Hr wireless is plenty

I've got 3 options:
New MBA, 13", i7, 8GB, 512GB SSD
13" rMBP, i5, 8GB, 512GB SS
MBP, Qi7, 4GB, 500GB HDD > then upgrade to 16GB and my current 512GB SSD.

What am I going to use it for?
- Normal stuff, Office, Mail, Webbrowsing
- Lots of Lightroom
- Occasional Photoshop

My current Dell XPS M1530 is now 5,5 y/o and still holding up. Off course LR and Photoshop is getting harder and harder.
I do expect that my MacBook will last at least another 5 years.
The MBA and the rMBP will be the first computers that I consider to buy which are in no way upgradeable. That's why I'm most likely consider the MBP.

What do you think? could the MBA or 13" rMBP help me out for the next 5 years? Or better choose the upgradeable MBP?

I just bought a maxed MBA 13'' and my usual lifecycle for computers is 5 years. Felt confident pulling the trigger.

Also say MBA based on the current lineup...not factoring in an rMBP refresh. Part of this consideration is that the rMBP display can be taxing on system resources NOW. As time passes the demand for system resources by software will increase as that display will still need the same resources to be driven. The obvious advantage to the rMBP is it's a bit more upgradable than the MBA.