13" MacBook Pro with Retna vs 13" MacBook Air - which one to buy?

cmmx · Jan 4, 2013

I'm looking for a smaller, lighter laptop to replace my MacBook Pro 15" system - passing my current system on to a colleague at work.

At my local Apple store,I've looked side-by-side at 13" Air, Pro and Pro with Retna. I cannot see any difference in the screen display quality between the three, so I'm not necessarily convinced paying more for Retna is money well spent. I've always thought my non-Retna 15" Pro display was excellent.

I noticed, though, that the Pro with Retna is significantly lighter than the non-Retna model; only about a 1/2 pound heavier than the Air (3.57lbs vs 2.96lbs). I assume this is attributable to the absence of a DVD drive, which the Air doesn't have either.

The Air has a slightly larger foot print, but looks like it allows a little more space for your hands while typing.

It's possible to configure these systems very comparably - in terms of processors, RAM, solid state drives and so-forth.

Can anyone suggest some reasons for choosing one over the other, or is this really just a matter of user preference?

Thank you.

chscag · Jan 4, 2013

I guess it comes down to personal choice. I personally would choose the 13" MacBook Pro non retina machine. It's only slightly heavier than the 13" MBA but offers so much more in the way of being able to upgrade it. Memory and hard drive can easily be upgraded plus there's always the option of removing the optical drive and installing a SSD in its place. I agree with you regarding the Retina. Not worth the extra $$. (In my opinion.)

CrimsonRequiem · Jan 4, 2013

cmmx said:
I'm looking for a smaller, lighter laptop to replace my MacBook Pro 15" system - passing my current system on to a colleague at work.

At my local Apple store,I've looked side-by-side at 13" Air, Pro and Pro with Retna. I cannot see any difference in the screen display quality between the three, so I'm not necessarily convinced paying more for Retna is money well spent. I've always thought my non-Retna 15" Pro display was excellent.

I noticed, though, that the Pro with Retna is significantly lighter than the non-Retna model; only about a 1/2 pound heavier than the Air (3.57lbs vs 2.96lbs). I assume this is attributable to the absence of a DVD drive, which the Air doesn't have either.

The Air has a slightly larger foot print, but looks like it allows a little more space for your hands while typing.

It's possible to configure these systems very comparably - in terms of processors, RAM, solid state drives and so-forth.

Can anyone suggest some reasons for choosing one over the other, or is this really just a matter of user preference?

Thank you.

Kind of like asking someone which hand they want removed. >_<" I wouldn't get either of them. I would go with the 13" non retina MBP. In fact that's what I'm using right now.

chscag said:
I guess it comes down to personal choice. I personally would choose the 13" MacBook Pro non retina machine. It's only slightly heavier than the 13" MBA but offers so much more in the way of being able to upgrade it. Memory and hard drive can easily be upgraded plus there's always the option of removing the optical drive and installing a SSD in its place. I agree with you regarding the Retina. Not worth the extra $$. (In my opinion.)

Totally agree. It's a shame the MBP is turning more and more into a MBA. One of my most hated Apple product. >_<"

anynamewilldo · Jan 4, 2013

chscag said:
I guess it comes down to personal choice. I personally would choose the 13" MacBook Pro non retina machine. It's only slightly heavier than the 13" MBA but offers so much more in the way of being able to upgrade it. Memory and hard drive can easily be upgraded plus there's always the option of removing the optical drive and installing a SSD in its place. I agree with you regarding the Retina. Not worth the extra $$. (In my opinion.)

I second this opinion, for the same reasons.

I bought my MBP 13" in July, knowing full well they would come out with a Retina version before the end of the year. I had already made up my mind that Retina is a scam. Add in the component architecture and cost and it became a no-brainer for me.

FWIW, I upgraded the memory to 16GB, replaced the stock HD with a 480GB SSD, replaced the optical drive with the stock hard drive, and replaced the screen with a non-mirrored version, all before turning the thing on. Can't really do that with the Retina machines.

cmmx · Jan 4, 2013

Thanks, guys. You're input really helps.

How do you like the MBP non-Retna? I assume it is very close to my MBP 15"

Why do you hate the Air? What's wrong with it?

CrimsonRequiem · Jan 4, 2013

cmmx said:
Thanks, guys. You're input really helps.

How do you like the MBP non-Retna? I assume it is very close to my MBP 15"

Why do you hate the Air? What's wrong with it?

Can't upgrade anything on it. The storage space, and the ram.

anynamewilldo · Jan 5, 2013

cmmx said:
How do you like the MBP non-Retna?

It's the only laptop I would buy from Apple for myself....

I assume it is very close to my MBP 15"

Except smaller, more usable as a laptop, and the lid does not flop close when held at a steep angle.

Why do you hate the Air? What's wrong with it?

I don't hate it. I bought an 11" one for my wife recently and she loves it. However, it would not meet my needs - too small of a screen and not enough storage space in a portable for my purposes. I would consider a 13"air if it came with 16GB of RAM and a 480GB SSD, at no price premium relative to the 13" MBP.

13" MacBook Pro with Retna vs 13" MacBook Air - which one to buy?

cmmx

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