Macbook Air 13" (2013) or MacBook Pro 13" (retina)?

Andrew2013-09-26 19:51:23

macbook

Andrew, 2013-09-26 19:51:23

Hello everyone, help with choosing a macbook.
I am faced with a choice:
1)MacBook Air 13" 2013
1.7GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz
8GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM
256GB SSD
2)MacBook Pro (Retina) 13"
2.6GHz Dual-core Intel Core i5 , Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz
8GB
1600MHz memory 256GB SSD
What programs will I work with: chrome + android studio/xcode + skype
Programming for iOS or Android and an open browser. Well, standard offices, movies, it will no longer load the laptop in terms of performance, I don’t worry about it.
I've already rummaged through a bunch of topics, about doubts about choosing a beech between air and pro. My biggest worry is that air will lag or be noticeably slower than Pro with xcode and android studio.
I carry a beech with me almost every day, so weight still plays a certain role, but in principle it’s not such a fundamental factor.
At the expense of the display, I don’t see much difference, because. most likely I will connect the 2nd monitor.

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8 answer(s)

jetman, 2013-09-26
@jetman

I would wait another month until the autumn MBP update and take the MBP 13 Retina - the power of the updated integrated video card for the retina screen will already be enough.

Denis, 2013-09-26
@WolFman

Then an MBA is a great choice for you. in terms of performance, it will almost not be inferior to MBP

Glebcha, 2013-09-26
@Glebcha

I would take a retina, but it should only be taken with discrete video.

Artem Kalachyan, 2013-09-26
@Bringoff

I would take a plug if I had money, but I don’t connect the monitor to the laptop. On the other hand, it is more pleasant to carry around with you. And yes, on the configuration you proposed, the air will fly no worse than the firmware - moreover, it does not have a retina. And autonomy is a powerful plus. So decide what is more important to you - autonomy and weight or screen.

slaffka, 2013-09-26
@slaffka

A year ago, when 13 inch retinas appeared, I chose the same way. The choice eventually fell on the proshka with a retina.
I do not regret it - working behind a retina display is still much more pleasant. But then there was only the old line of airs and they lost significantly in performance. Now the airs, it seems to me, have almost caught up with 13 "firmware with retina.
Of the pluses of airs
+ Significantly lighter firmware
+ They say there is now some incredible battery
in 13" firmware
+ Cool screen.
If the screen is not very important, then it seems to me that air is better

olis, 2013-09-26
@olis

Of these two configurations, I am exclusively for the Air. I would take the proshka only with 16GB (and only for the sake of it). Because 8 is already on the verge, and very soon it will not be enough. And you won't be able to add either one or the other. Discrete graphics are no longer relevant, probably only for 3D. And with high resolutions of the monitor and the built-in one will cope.

Sergey Petrikov, 2013-09-27
@RicoX

I am for air, at least for today it is more autonomy and better wifi (ac versus n), but I have a different specificity, fast Internet and greater autonomy over high resolution. Your requirements will be met by both without straining, and the configuration is similar in performance, the difference is only in the discrete card, but since graphics is not a priority for you, it will be idle. It really depends on the usage scenario. For my home, for example, a top-end mac mini connected to the entire periphery, for which I mostly work and air for travel.

usgleb, 2013-10-20
@usgleb

Just a week ago, I spent a fairly large amount of time studying this issue. My performance requirements are as follows: running 2 projects simultaneously in XCode, ~20 tabs in Safari, Photoshop. I chose from the entire line of MBP and MBA. And I came to the conclusion that the MD102 option would be the most ideal. This is a Macbook Pro 13" (not Retina) 2.9GHz Dual-core Intel Core i7, 8Gb RAM, 750Gb. The cost of this model in Ukraine is UAH 12,000 ($1465). Now, specifically why this model is:
1. Expandable - you can increase the RAM up to 16GB, replace the hard drive with an SSD or put an SSD instead of a CD-ROM and make a Fusion Drive
2. The price is much less than any of the models you mentioned
3. The video card is the same as the Retina one, but the resolution is less means the load on the system in overall will be less
4. Ethernet port - maybe not a very advantage, but it is important for me.
5. There is no chance of getting a pig in a poke , although everything is worth checking exactly.
Cons:
1. Not as thin and light as Air
2. No Retina.
In general, two factors became decisive for me - price and scalability.