rMBP vs MBA

[leinad]

I am converting from thinkpad to apple. Hope i do not regret.

I intend to purchase parallels 9 to run windows 7 in coherent view during this period of transit. Also because some software license i purchased previously were for windows.

What would be the typical ram usage when i have both windows 7 and osx running?

Would be gg for the 13", 512gb flash, 16gb ram and app. Where can i find rMBP with discounts? Or best is buy at apple via education price? Thanks!

You would not typically get discounts for Macs as the prices are controlled and apparently audited by Apple Singapore - which is tied to their authorised retailer status. So the only way you can officially get a discount is if you were a student or educator.

Yes, that config is fine. I use a previous gen 15" rMBP, 16GB/512GB. Works fine. I'm not partial to coherence mode, because I prefer to keep my apps separate. It looks slightly better windowed than in coherence.

/Dan

 

[erwinrommel]

I am converting from thinkpad to apple. Hope i do not regret.

I intend to purchase parallels 9 to run windows 7 in coherent view during this period of transit. Also because some software license i purchased previously were for windows.

What would be the typical ram usage when i have both windows 7 and osx running?

Would be gg for the 13", 512gb flash, 16gb ram and app. Where can i find rMBP with discounts? Or best is buy at apple via education price? Thanks!

You won't regret...

I do run Windows 7 with Parallels on my iMac with just 12GB RAM. But of course its just for simple tasks such as using IE and some simple statistical software, definitely not Autocad, Solid-Works, Pro-E, ANSYS, JMP, etc...

You need to weigh the options and do the maths. The retail shops sell at SRP but comes bundled with freebies and allows more flexible and longer credit card instalment.

Buying at Apple online using educational discount will shave off a good amount for both the price of rMBP and the custom upgrades. It also includes free delivery but the maximum credit card instalment is up to 12 months and only applicable to Citibank card holders.

 

[vivalarave]

Stupid question -

Do you need proof to use the educational discount?

 

[vincent007]

Will be getting MBA retina display next year using the new IGZO technology.

 

[addictzz]

Im always torn between 256/8 13" MBA & 256/8 13" rMBP ever since the late 2013 13" rMBP was announced. The new 13" rMBP has smaller footprint and weight. Plus it now has Haswell processor which gives good battery life. It's only around S$100 more than MBA.

Pros of rMBP:
- better display resolution
- better graphics (Iris - HD5100)
- smaller footprint (it's smaller than MBA)
- better CPU (?)
- more ports (may not need all those Thunderbolts port with Thunderbolt devices being so expensive)

Pros of MBA:
- lighter (around 0.5 lbs less than MBP)
- thinner body (tapered design gives impression of slimmer body)
- better battery life (~11-12 hours. Around 2-3 hours more than rMBP)
- 1440x900 display resolution (its resolution gives more viewing space although at lesser detail than rMBP. Retina display does not give 2560x1600 resolution, it gives 1280x800 screen space with double the pixel density)

Looking the pros of both, looks like the odds are in favor of 13" rMBP. But after reading article here and there (especially in macrumors) seems that 13" MBA has not lost its edge yet. Not everybody will use all the ports in rMBP and although rMBP has better detailed resolution, there is an issue with lagging UI especially when using Maverick OS. Moreover, 2-3 additional hours in battery life might make a difference to those people who need it.

Any comment from forumers here?

 

[xiaosinsinful]

Im always torn between 256/8 13" MBA & 256/8 13" rMBP ever since the late 2013 13" rMBP was announced. The new 13" rMBP has smaller footprint and weight. Plus it now has Haswell processor which gives good battery life. It's only around S$100 more than MBA.

Pros of rMBP:
- better display resolution
- better graphics (Iris - HD5100)
- smaller footprint (it's smaller than MBA)
- better CPU (?)
- more ports (may not need all those Thunderbolts port with Thunderbolt devices being so expensive)

Pros of MBA:
- lighter (around 0.5 lbs less than MBP)
- thinner body (tapered design gives impression of slimmer body)
- better battery life (~11-12 hours. Around 2-3 hours more than rMBP)
- 1440x900 display resolution (its resolution gives more viewing space although at lesser detail than rMBP. Retina display does not give 2560x1600 resolution, it gives 1280x800 screen space with double the pixel density)

Looking the pros of both, looks like the odds are in favor of 13" rMBP. But after reading article here and there (especially in macrumors) seems that 13" MBA has not lost its edge yet. Not everybody will use all the ports in rMBP and although rMBP has better detailed resolution, there is an issue with lagging UI especially when using Maverick OS. Moreover, 2-3 additional hours in battery life might make a difference to those people who need it.

Any comment from forumers here?

yep , i weight the pros and cons just like you did , ended up ordering the rmbp 256/8.
here are my thoughts process

battery life vs screen ,how often do you work non-stop for 12-13 hrs without a charger around VS amazing screen that you will always look at allday everyday

weight/size vs power , do you want the ultimate portability or more performance

conclusion.
-Rmbp is not too heavy (just 200g more)
- more then average batt life
-A BIG plus is that is not that much more expensive either.

arriving this Friday!!too excited!

 

[jnetsix]

yep , i weight the pros and cons just like you did , ended up ordering the rmbp 256/8.
here are my thoughts process

battery life vs screen ,how often do you work non-stop for 12-13 hrs without a charger around VS amazing screen that you will always look at allday everyday

weight/size vs power , do you want the ultimate portability or more performance

conclusion.
-Rmbp is not too heavy (just 200g more)
- more then average batt life
-A BIG plus is that is not that much more expensive either.

arriving this Friday!!too excited!

agreed, for the price vs performance. MBPr is better to use than air and I prefer the black bezels frame for monitor rather than silver 1.
And lastly built in HDMI for MBPr if you like to output to monitor/projector.

Same too got the MBPr 13" 8/256 model.

 

[galliano]

conclusion.
-Rmbp is not too heavy (just 200g more)
-A BIG plus is that is not that much more expensive

Agree w u on this. Added that it's got a much better screen that screams clarity for my photos.

 

[kentwk]

Agree w u on this. Added that it's got a much better screen that screams clarity for my photos.

agreed, for the price vs performance. MBPr is better to use than air and I prefer the black bezels frame for monitor rather than silver 1.
And lastly built in HDMI for MBPr if you like to output to monitor/projector.

Same too got the MBPr 13" 8/256 model.

Same for me!
I bought the MBPr 13" 256/8 model.

I traded in my almost 3 year old Core 2 Duo MBA (It's quite a dinosaur isn't it! ) and was waiting since forever for the Haswell MBPr. Am using it for about a week now and am happy with the screen!

The thing about the built-in HDMI Port is tat you will never know if you need to use one... I've resorted to buy an adaptor back then for my MBA... Now I don't have to work about getting my HDMI adaptor when I need to use it for presentations!!!

Also, in terms of the processor and clock-speeds.. I think that with the price difference, it was simply an easy choice.... Lastly, the price drop just made that that more simple and easy to decide!!!

You WILL Enjoy the MBPr... Trust me and the many others here!

 

[xiaosinsinful]

Same for me!
I bought the MBPr 13" 256/8 model.

I traded in my almost 3 year old Core 2 Duo MBA (It's quite a dinosaur isn't it! ) and was waiting since forever for the Haswell MBPr. Am using it for about a week now and am happy with the screen!

The thing about the built-in HDMI Port is tat you will never know if you need to use one... I've resorted to buy an adaptor back then for my MBA... Now I don't have to work about getting my HDMI adaptor when I need to use it for presentations!!!

Also, in terms of the processor and clock-speeds.. I think that with the price difference, it was simply an easy choice.... Lastly, the price drop just made that that more simple and easy to decide!!!

You WILL Enjoy the MBPr... Trust me and the many others here!

yep , typing on rmbp 13" 256/8 right now , trust me the screen is just incredible!! once you go retina theres no going back! its very fast and fluid too.this must be the best decision i every made

 

[Pronewbie]

RMBP outputs QHD displays at 30hz, so it's definitely not as fast and fluid at 2500 x 1600.

 

[xiaosinsinful]

just an update. I have been using my rmbp for a few days , really loving os x (fluid and smooth). however my mac tend to heat up easily when im doing some light work (eclipse in windows 7) , isit normal?

 

[ahmad0410]

yo guys I'm making a mass order for wooden keyboard keys for mbp, if anyone interested can just go here yea: [MO] Lazerwood Keys for Macbook Pro

 

[leinad]

just an update. I have been using my rmbp for a few days , really loving os x (fluid and smooth). however my mac tend to heat up easily when im doing some light work (eclipse in windows 7) , isit normal?

Windows 7 - think you have your answer.

There is a port of the Eclipse IDE for OSX.

/Dan

 

[xiaosinsinful]

Windows 7 - think you have your answer.

There is a port of the Eclipse IDE for OSX.

/Dan

wow didnt know windows 7 can cause the macbook to heat up (not even gaming or anything intensive) , anyways after a few days use of mac os i prefer it over windows 7 built in apps are just awesome!