Retina MacBook Pro vs Normal MacBook Pro (non retina)?

Question

Hey I'm not sure what to get. I need a new computer and I have the option of a bundle that includes a low end 13-inch MBP and AppleCare, 3 year insurance, windows and some extras for about $2,500.... Or I can get the retina MBP and AppleCare for $2,900. I will be using it at school and therefor carrying it around for most of the day between classes, so the weight and thickness is a big thing for me. I looked at the RMBP in an apple store and fell in love with it and how light and thin it is compared to the old model. I probably won't use windows that much, windows would take up a lot of my room and the insurance replaces it when I chuck it out the window (won't happen).
Do you think it is worth the extra $400 for the overall package even though I won't get windows or insurance?

Retina - 8GB ram, 256GB SSD, 2.3GHz Intel Quad Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1GB of GDDR5 memory.

Normal - 4GB Ram, 256GB SSD (will be split in half for mac & windows), 2.5GHz Intel Dual Core i5, intel HD graphics 4000

These are the only two options and only two configurations so no other suggestions thanks. I'm pretty sure I will never upgrade or modify my computer so the upgradability isn't a problem.

I'll probably be using it for making powerpoints, word documents, listening to music and movies and some light gaming.

Thanks

Answer 1

Based on the difference in specs and price I would definately go for the rMPB. for that little bit more for money you get a quad core ivy bridge i7 processor (significantly faster than the other option), double the RAM, a bigger screen, a GPU.



The 15inch Retina is also lighter and thinner than the 13inch laptop.

You will not notice the difference in the processors much until you start using a graphics rendering program or video editing. It will also provide a slightly better gaming performance.



If you have the money I would also recommend buying an External Hard Drive to store your games and movies etc on this to leave more space on your laptop.

Windows is a big pulling point for the 13 inch, especially if you plan to do gaming on your laptop, however two operating systems on 256GB storage does not allow much room for games and movies, hence the External HDD would be a good option, or if possible you could configure the 13inch to have a larger storage (this would mean an non-solid state).



Or an alternate option is to wait until mid October when Apple is rumoured to be releasing a 13inch Retina MacbookPro. You can find predicted specs here http://www.applebitch.com/2012/08/21/some-calculations-on-the-specifications-of-a-13-inch-retina-display-macbook-pro/



Hope it helped. :)

Answer 2

Well let's see..... You can get a Windows 7 laptop with the same specs for $1000 vs $2900. Lenovo Y580



If you don't have to use Apple only software, Macs are a total ripoff

Answer 3

If you are going to be lugging it around everywhere in school, get the lighter one. Trust me, after carrying mine around everywhere, i was glad that i based on my decision on weight and size.