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Would you switch from 13" MBA to 13" rMBP?

Would you switch from a 13" MBA to a 13" rMBP?

  • Yes

    Votes: 70 49.3%

  • No

    Votes: 72 50.7%
  • Total voters
    142
0

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macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 26, 2011
283
5
Hi everyone,

so, would you, if Apple were to release a 13" rMBP? From what one can guess it'll be almost the same in every aspect: A bit heavier, a bit thicker, a bit speedier and probably more expensive; but none of that by much.

The major aspect is the significantly crisper retina screen, which will surely be quite the blast. But on the other hand the rumored 2560x1600 retina display translates to a screen estate of only 1280x800 pixels, which feels rather low and constricting, if you ever sat on a 13" MBP.

And while, if it's anything like the 15" rMBP, you can scale the screen to 1440 or 1680, such it's clearly not perfect and it would feel weird to buy something to never use it in the way it was intended.

So, what would you do, dear MacbookAir users?
 
I plan to, as long as it's not over $1499 for the 8GB/256GB model and the battery life stays the same (7+ hours)
 
No, my mid-2012 i7, 8Gb, 256Gb MBA has all the power I need and will still be lighter (and cheaper) than a 13" rMBP, which probably won't even have discrete graphics
 
If it's "a bit" speedier, no. I would expect that the performance would be dramatically improved over my 2012 mba, which is typically fine unless I want to do something in after effects or rhino. In which case it is dismal.
 
Would I? Yes. Will I? No.

If I could trade once the 13" rMBP comes out of course I would, however I'm not going to sell my current machine and buy a new one; the current one works just fine and the costs (monetary and time) are too high to justify the change.

This is coming from someone with a circa 2007 desktop though, so I don't have much tech envy (although that's another story entirely regarding cameras).
 
Maybe but not because of retina.

I just prefer a pizza box shape rather than the wedge shape, but the current MB are heavier and thicker than I want to put up with.

Since I got the Air, am luving the 2.7 LB. Will be hard to go back.
 
If it has a dedicated graphics card i might get one... but probly not. Wish it had been out 2 years ago
 
I will, but not for two or three years. Right now it seems like the tech is struggling to keep up with the screen. In three years that won't be a problem and I'll look at upgrading. Until then, I'm happy drooling.
 
I've got a 2010 11" that I've been using as my main computer for about two years and continues to run great. However, if the 13" rMBP has a dedicated GPU I think I'll give it a try, as that's the one thing I'd like to see. No dedicated GPU, and I probably won't upgrade until Haswell next year.
 
Strongly considering this if the 13" rMBP is actually released. 15 incher is too big for me, but the retina display is absolutely gorgeous. I'm already ruined by the retinas on my iOS devices. Tough to look at non-retinas these days.
 
13 rMBP would just be a beefier version of the MBA. I think the performance will be the same. I'm happy with my 13 MBA :)
 
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No, I'm happy with my Air and don't think a retina display would make much difference to me.
 
mbp vs mbpr

I can relate my experience from going from the previous MacBook Pro 15", to the current 15" retina version.

I thought the retina display was going to be the 'big deal'. I ordered one before seeing it on display.

The display is really no big deal. If you put them side by side, there is a visible, but not 'wow' difference. In using it, I really don't appreciate the display any better.

However the performance boost ... notably boot up times, and app-opening times are incredibly better. It feels so fluid and a much better experience. I attribute that to the SSD and quad processor, plus extra RAM - in that order.

Appreciate the improved battery life.

Since the air is already an SSD, I can't see much of a value equation upgrading, unless entire system was upgraded enough to change the experience. The display in itself isn't enough of a perk for the swap.
 
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This is actually something I've been waiting for, the rMBP 15" is a great looking machine and the performance (according to benchmarks etc) seems to be great, but currently I'm a Late 2010 13" MBA user and the increase in size and particularly weight put me off upgrading to the 15" rMBP.

That said, the extra screen size would be great, unfortunately you obviously get a trade off in overall size of the machine which for me outweighed the advantages.

Ill be very interested to see what the 13" offers :)
 
i really really really like my 2012 mac air. when the 13 comes, even with retina im not sure its enough to sway me to giving up my air.

we would have to be talking discrete graphics at the very least and a decent price. even then im not sure. im extremely happy with what i have.
 
While it certainly looks like the 13" MBP is the next to get Retina treatment, I assume it's only a matter of time before all Macs go Retina. I'm not sure if the MBAs will be next after the 13" MBP or last after the iMac and the Apple Thunderbolt Display, but I love my light and thin Air too much to switch it out for something else.
 
I'd consider switching from my 2011 11", but the screen would have to incredibly good - on a par with changing from a 3GS to a 5, or an iPad 1 to a new iPad, and even then I'm not sure if the extra size and weight would be worth it. Maybe. Now an 11" retina Air? I'd upgrade in a second.
 
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