New 13" Air vs 15" Pro Retina

<p>I'm really split between the two. My parents are going to pay for most of my laptop, but I'm not going to abuse that and get something I don't need. I plan on majoring in either English or Philosophy, but may switch to Exercise Science if I change my mind on career paths. I like the price, portability, battery, and future-proof Wi-Fi of the Air. But, I like the available power (if needed), future-proof screen res, speakers, and screen size of the Pro. I don't plan on playing any games or doing vid/pic editing unless a class calls for it. Here are some questions that, if you could answer any, would be helpful:</p>

<p>Do any 13" MacBook owners find the screen size a little underwhelming?</p>

<p>Would the Air last me 4+ years?</p>

<p>When do most people think the Retina's are getting updated?</p>

<p>Is there anything in usual generals (bio/chem come to mind?) that would call for something the Air couldn't handle?</p>

<p>Although I doubt any problems with English/Philosophy, would there be programs to use in Exercise Science that would require advanced computer programs?</p>

<p>Thanks for any advice, I really can't decide right now.</p>

<p>I don’t think you’ll notice much functional difference. Bigger, better screen vs. faster (SSD) and lighter. Both will last four years. Avoid the smaller Air (screen just too small). Check new models just announced.</p>

<p>Getting a Retina would be getting something you don’t need.</p>

<p>I just bought the new 13" MBA (Stock model, 4GB RAM/128GB Storage/i5 processor) and I’ve been playing around with it for a few days now so I can help with answering some of your questions.</p>

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<p>Going from 17" toshiba to the 13" MBA was quite the difference at first and was quite noticeable, but even just a couple days later I can see I’m already getting used to the screen size. It’s really not bad at all. I played a youtube video in full screen on 720p and the quality really was outstanding (it played 720p videos perfectly fine as well, no buffering needed). I can definitely see myself having no problem watching movies/videos on it.</p>

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<p>I’ve only had it for a few days so I obviously don’t have the first hand experience to answer this, but as long as you treat it right I don’t see why not. I’ve heard lots of people say how their macbooks that they bought in 2008-2010 still work fine and I don’t see why the new airs should be any different.</p>

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<p>From what I’ve heard, there will be new MBPr models announced sometime in the fall or early winter. However the airs shouldn’t be updated for a while since they’re brand new.</p>

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<p>No, the 4GB RAM and i5 processor should be plenty to handle anything you would have to do in any introductory college class. Unless you’re doing intense video editing or gaming, the air should be fine.</p>

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<p>I doubt it.</p>

<p>From what you’ve said, the air should be good for you. I’m very impressed with it so far. I put mine in a sleeve and it’s basically the same weight and takes up as much space as a standard 3-ring binder. It’s extremely light/portable. The battery life is currently sitting at 88% with about 9 hours left and it’s extremely fast.</p>

<p>If your main use for this computer is to have something that you can carry with you at all times, can take notes on easily, can work on papers/powerpoints on-the-go, can check email/facebook and surf the web in general, last a 6-hour study session in the library unplugged, then you should undoubtedly get the air over the pro.</p>

<p>Hope this helps.</p>

<p>"Getting a Retina would be getting something you don’t need. "</p>

<p>^This. I just ordered a MB Pro, non retina. For the extra money you need to shell out for that, you lose processing power and features in only gaining a slightly nicer looking screen. I was able to get a 13 inch 2.9Ghz MB Pro with 8 Gigs of ram and a 128GB SSD with apple care for less than the entry level retina with a slower processor and no apple care. Plus I have an Ethernet port built in, as well as a disk drive.</p>

<p>Retina display isn’t very necessary for a laptop, especially if you aren’t going to be gaming or editing media. A downfall of the retina display models of the macbook pro is that you cannot upgrade the hardware…something that is capable of doing so in the non retina display models.</p>

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<p>So, since you’re majoring in English/Philosophy or Exercise Science. To be honest, you really don’t need a lot of power, plus if you really think about it; the 13" Air is extremely light and if you’re the type of person who decides to take their laptop with them to class everyday for typing notes, etc; then you really don’t want to lug around a 15" laptop. </p>

<p>Also, since you won’t be playing any games or do any type of video editing you really don’t need anything more than the Air.</p>

<p>I have a 13" white MB, and it’s lasted me almost 3 years so far. It hasn’t given me any problems at all. At times I do wish I had a 15’ MBP but really, there’s nothing wrong with the 13". That’s just me being greedy lol. </p>

<p>Most of Apple’s computer get updated between 6 months to a year; and majority of the time, its just a small bump in the upgrade. Nothing fancy.</p>

<p>Now, if you need something like a CD drive or something like that, you can purchase it from the Apple Store for the MBA. It’s not that expensive, but you could probably find one a lot cheaper on Amazon.</p>

<p>Thanks for all the help everyone! I’m going to go with the 13" i7, 8 Mem, and 256 Storage MBA!</p>

<p>I want one! 12-hour battery! :)</p>

<p>i7 and 8GB RAM is overkill imo, but whatever floats your boat.</p>

<p>i5 and 4GB should be more than you ever need.</p>

<p>You might want to wait until Apple does their back to school sale to purchase it (if you are going through Apple).</p>