Will MBA 2012 be up to the job?

[sam2m]

I'm moving from Windows to Mac so any advice on this one appreciated.

I'd like to have a single laptop as a desktop replacement. I'm a consultant so mobility is important, and I want to get away from my current desktop+laptop set-up to avoid file-sync and multiple license issues.

My idea is to buy a MBA + 27" monitor and re-use a 22" monitor I already have. I don't do processor-intensive work but do need a lot running in parallel. e.g. Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook and 20+ browser tabs all open at once, and possibly Parallels running Windows 7 too.

I'm concerned that the MBA won't have enough power, but am put off by the weight of the rMBP. My budget is pretty flexible, so I can go for a souped-up MBA if that's what is needed.

Any help gratefully received!

Sam

 

[brohan711]

Maybe

/*Removed post due to employment*/

 

[miles01110]

With a RAM upgrade you should be ok.

 

[sam2m]

Thanks

Thanks both for your thoughts. It's sounding marginal.

If I got a rMBP then I should go for 16GB memory to get good performance when Parallels is running too then?

 

[Bauer24]

Thanks both for your thoughts. It's sounding marginal.

If I got a rMBP then I should go for 16GB memory to get good performance when Parallels is running too then?

Technically you'd be fine with 8 GB to do what you've stated with a Retina Pro. 16GB would address more future-proofing since you probably want to keep it for 4+ years.

 

[LeandrodaFL]

8GB is already enough, but its better to always maximize RAM.

I think the Air will do, and you dont need the processor upgrade. But you defenetly need the RAM upgrade and a SSD (already in the Air)

 

[sam2m]

Thanks again for your thoughts, that's reassuring