Help me decide between MBA and rMBP

[wally_world]

I've been a windows user, but recently decided to get a MacBook for my next laptop after using a Mac for work in the past 2 years. Choosing between the MBA and rMBP now, specifically the lowest end model for the 2 series. I have a few questions, hope the more experienced users can help me out.

1)
Intel processors have this 'turbo boost' function, so should I be looking at that as the benchmark to determine the laptop's performance? For instance, the MBA has i5 1.3GHz (turbo boost up to 2.6GHz), the rMBP has i5 2.4GHz (turbo boost up to 2.9GHz). So to measure the 2, is the rMBP 1.1GHz more powerful than the MBA, or just 0.3GHz?

2)
Is the i7 processor worth upgrading to? How about RAM? Will the 4GB suffice?

3)
(more for my personal knowledge)
How much does the normal MBP differ from the rMBP (other than the retina display)? I heard the non retina ones are from previous generation. What are the key upgrades in the new generation?


Of course portability is a factor, i am fine with the rMBP's size and weight, but the Air is definitely more portable and better looking. I LOVE the retina display too.

In terms of my performance requirements, my common activities on the laptop include
- Watching HD videos
- General web browsing
- Downloading large content quite regularly
- Photoshop/inDesign work
- Some office work

All in all I am picking between the

11inch MBA i5 1.3 4gb 128gb
&
13inch rMBP i5 2.4 4gb 128gb

Is it worth the extra $350 for the rMBP?

 

[xiaosinsinful]

not an expert , but i have also faced the same dilemma between this two choices mba and mbp. personally i went for rmbp.
to answer your question

1) turbo boost if im not wrong is just for a short period of time. for long period of cpu intensive work rmbp will be better

2)personally no. i would rather upgrade the storage/ram because it makes so much more difference then upgraded cpu

3)well , cpu last gen , heavier and thicker , worst graphics (hd4000)

between the two choice its kind of a no brainer to get rmbp , i find 13 inch the perfect screen size between protability and comfort for work 11 inches abit to small for long periods of work. but to each his own so maybe go down to a store and look at it phsically?

basically it comes down to this :
do you want a super lightest,thinnest,longest battery OR
do you want a super display , cpu/gpu performance (while still being light, thin,good battery)

 

[leinad]

If you want the retina display, I'd strongly suggest you just go for the 13" rMBP. Also, if it's a main/only computer, having more RAM is always important, especially if you're into photography or other RAM-intensive chores.

My current set up is actually a 15" rMBP (16/512) for home and heavy use (Lightroom and so on), paired with a 11" MBA (4/256) for work/class/meetings. A strange set up perhaps, but it has worked well for me as I have found the 15 rMBP a little heavy/bulky for toting around on public transport. The funny thing is, my rMBP has been relegated to desktop-class work at home while I tote my MBA around.

As for the processor, I find the 11" MBA more than adequate (even for photo processing) - where it struggles in is the lack of RAM. Personally, 8GB is the minimum, but I'll always recommend people go with 16GB. And 128GB of storage is too little for me imho. 256GB just makes it if you don't want to tote around a portable HDD. It kinda defeats the purpose of having a light workstation if you're dragging extras around. Add the power brick, and other accessories and you'll end up with a pretty heavy set up.

No, I don't find i7 worthwhile. Your needs may differ. Personally would put the money towards getting 8GB/16GB and 256GB, either rMBP or MBA. My 2¢.

/Dan

 

[punggolkid]

I'd definitely recommend the rMBP given your needs. Also, make sure 128GB is sufficient for your use, I would typically recommend 256GB as the minimum. Since you said you download large content (unless it's kept on an external drive), you will need the extra internal space even if it's temporary. Besides if you work with photoshop and in design are likely to create large file sizes too.

On specs, i7 provides a minimal boost for intensive tasks like video editing and maybe some rendering in Photoshop. Worth the money? Only if you can afford it. I'd recommend 8GB RAM as minimum.

 

[chenaz]

from my understanding is that.

turbo boost is additional clock speed for ur processor.

when ur application require more memory to work or wat, ur turbo boost wil be activated and increase the clock speed to make sure that u run smooth.at the same time it will get much hotter and shorter life span than rmbp running at same speed as u are pushing the clock speed faster than factory speed. other wise it will be running at is minimal and save ur battery life.

now bak to rmbp.
it is design to run at this speed so that ur laptop does not heat up so easily.

 

[wally_world]

Think i'm gonna go ahead and get the rMBP. Don't wanna regret once the retina version of Air gets released.

 

[Snoweagle]

I always go for the highest-end MBP for that particular series, that way I won't have to upgrade for a long time to come.

 

[devglass]

buy the later technology. don't stuck with the old. you are able to afford a mac already, $350 not much difference also.

 

[tushar310]

you have to really explore your needs and what all you do on a computer and how u use a computer.

if you find yourself doing lot of heavy multitasking and lot of reading then trust me..the retina screen feels smoother on the eyes than slightly grainy HD screens. and ipad and tablets or ultra lower voltage processor feels slightly sluggish to me

let me give you an example on how i decided to buy rMBP 15 inch

- i have always used 15 inch laptops and tried using friends and family's smaller laptops but find it claustrophobic and cramped

- but now i travel a lot and most windows 15 inch laptops too bulky and sad battery life..thought of compromising and getting a very fast and portable Asus UX301 but felt bad as i hate using small screen



- realized for that price i can get macbook pro 15 inch retina..since i dont game on pc anymore. (ps3 owner), but i do lot of heavy multitasking so i need a quad core but i dont need dedicated graphic card so i saved on that and will get more battery life and cooler machine.

the weight of macbook pro doesnt feel much due to well balanced unibody design and u get a much better hardware





to be honest... 13 inch macbook pro isnt that heavy if u r used to carrying around windows laptops...but macbook air will start feeling slow soon..trust me..our needs and apps grow every year.

the price difference is very low for a big improvement in hardware and more future proof.

better connectivity on macbook pro too

 

[devglass]

the 13" macbook pro jin heavy. carry mac for my entire life liao.

 

[xiaosinsinful]

the 13" macbook pro jin heavy. carry mac for my entire life liao.

you talking about just pro or retina pro? i find retina pro as light as air.

 

[Hailgod]

you have to really explore your needs and what all you do on a computer and how u use a computer.

if you find yourself doing lot of heavy multitasking and lot of reading then trust me..the retina screen feels smoother on the eyes than slightly grainy HD screens. and ipad and tablets or ultra lower voltage processor feels slightly sluggish to me

let me give you an example on how i decided to buy rMBP 15 inch

- i have always used 15 inch laptops and tried using friends and family's smaller laptops but find it claustrophobic and cramped

- but now i travel a lot and most windows 15 inch laptops too bulky and sad battery life..thought of compromising and getting a very fast and portable Asus UX301 but felt bad as i hate using small screen



- realized for that price i can get macbook pro 15 inch retina..since i dont game on pc anymore. (ps3 owner), but i do lot of heavy multitasking so i need a quad core but i dont need dedicated graphic card so i saved on that and will get more battery life and cooler machine.

the weight of macbook pro doesnt feel much due to well balanced unibody design and u get a much better hardware





to be honest... 13 inch macbook pro isnt that heavy if u r used to carrying around windows laptops...but macbook air will start feeling slow soon..trust me..our needs and apps grow every year.

the price difference is very low for a big improvement in hardware and more future proof.

better connectivity on macbook pro too

The MBP also uses ULV processors except for the quad core ones.

 

[Da_Vinci]

the tradeoff is between portability and performance. Do you foresee yourself to be carrying the macbook around and often? the rMBP might be light but u will feel the strain with prolong carrying. In terms of weight management, the 11' MBA is definitely the winner.

Judging from your requirements, essentials like ram upgrade and more storage space is a must, the difference of $350 can be used to offset that. All in all, its either u have a baseline rMBP or a slightly beefed up MBA

 

[leinad]

The 15" rMBP is relatively light yes, but it's still twice the weight of the 11" MBA; precisely the reason why I bought it. I don't only carry a laptop around with me - I have books, notes, occasionally my camera, and some other typical things in my bag. I even leave the charger in the office and charge my MBA at home with my rMBP charger - just to save weight.

I stand by the 13" rMBP being the best compromise - it's weighs right in between both the 11" and the 15".

It all adds up. Perhaps when we're younger, it's easier, but now I have to watch my back.

/Dan

 

[tushar310]

The 15" rMBP is relatively light yes, but it's still twice the weight of the 11" MBA; precisely the reason why I bought it. I don't only carry a laptop around with me - I have books, notes, occasionally my camera, and some other typical things in my bag. I even leave the charger in the office and charge my MBA at home with my rMBP charger - just to save weight.

I stand by the 13" rMBP being the best compromise - it's weighs right in between both the 11" and the 15".

It all adds up. Perhaps when we're younger, it's easier, but now I have to watch my back.

/Dan

screen size is a very personal thing i guess.

but rMBP 15 is very light for a 15 inch workstation grade notebook and at 2 kg...its weight is such that it feels lighter than that.

 

[nuilnuil]

Is it true that the RAM on rMBP is solder to the board and cannot be upgraded easily like the old MBP that include 2 RAM slots?

 

[stay8899]

Is it true that the RAM on rMBP is solder to the board and cannot be upgraded easily like the old MBP that include 2 RAM slots?

Yes, like macbook air, it's not upgradable.

 

[leinad]

screen size is a very personal thing i guess.

but rMBP 15 is very light for a 15 inch workstation grade notebook and at 2 kg...its weight is such that it feels lighter than that.

If you read my earlier post, you'll realise I own a 15" rMBP 16/512. I know what it is, and I have carried it around to work for over a year.

/Dan