Which laptop should I go with?

[bosoxnm3]

I'm in college and my Dell is shot. I'm planning on buying a laptop this weekend to take back with me. All I really do on the computer is surf the web, listen to Pandora, and write essays. I've narrowed my search to three options: 13 inch MBA ($1024.99 from Best Buy sale plus $20 cash back from my credit card company for spending over $200 at Best Buy, ), 13 inch cMBP (1034.99 from Best Buy sale plus $20 cash back), or 13 inch retina (1599.99 from Apple with student discount). I want this computer to last me 3-4 years. I've been leaning towards the Retina, but after reading so much on here I'm wavering.

 

[Spink10]

If you dont mind that you cannot upgrade the retina and have the $ to spend in it. Go for it. Otherwise select the MBA or cMBP.

 

[kennethsime]

Honestly for your needs, I would go with the MBA. The MBP is more powerful, and easier to upgrade, but if all you want to do is generic "student stuff," then the MBA is going to be less weight to carry around with you every day, have a longer battery life, and be less conspicuous in a bag.

 

[bosoxnm3]

Thanks for the help, guys, but I just realized that the 128GB MBA Air doesn't have enough storage for me. My current laptop is using 134GB/256GB. So, the MBA would actually be $1399 because it is not discounted at Best Buy.

So my options:

$1034 cMBP + $20 cashback
$1399 MBA +$20 cashback
$1599 rMBP

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And I just realized that the 13 inch Retina is only 128GB so that one is out.

 

[T5BRICK]

You can get the base 13" MBP at frys for $949 today.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1495010/