3 ms·

Can anyone spell out the differences between the mac book air 13 inch (assuming I max the cpu and hd) and mac book pro retina 13 difference?

Kluny 14y ago
Probably just the disk drive.
a_c_s 14y ago
http://www.apple.com/why-mac/compare/notebooks.html http://www.apple.com/why-mac/compare/notebooks.html
mdasen 14y ago
MacBook Air: thinner, lighter, comes with a 1440x900 workspace. MacBook Pro: retina resolution display with IPS, faster processor (uses standard mobile Intel processors rather than low-power processors). It comes with a 1280x800 workspace by default, but since it's a retina display you can make the workspace larger without losing too much detail. The MacBook Air is great for mobility if you need the absolute thinnest and lightest. The MacBook Pro's IPS display is going to have much better viewing angles and the processor speed will be marginally better. If I were purchasing, I would go for the MacBook Pro. It comes with 8GB of RAM by default (I'd have to add $100 for that with the Air), I like IPS displays, and I don't think I'd mind the scaling for a larger workspace (since things like text don't see degradation). The drop in price means that the price difference is $200 (assuming 8GB of RAM in each).
- boundlessdreamz 14y ago
  Macbook pro retina resolution is 2560x1600
  - evilduck 14y ago
    That's the panel's native resolution. The (default) effective resolution is only 1280x800 though, just with much more detail. You can configure it of course. In other words, the Macbook Air's 1400x900 will have smaller UI element rendering and more desktop "workspace" than the out-of-box experience with 13" MBPr.
  - gte910h 14y ago
    You have to install special software to enable that mode, and it's far too small for most even slightly older adults (farsightedness).
- nc 14y ago
  15" retina sports a default res of 1440x900
nbm 14y ago
The MBP retina has a higher resolution, and also has two Thunderbolt ports (on the same side as the power, which is nice if you have a Thunderbolt Display with the combined power and Thunderbolt cable). Also HDMI output and SD card slot on the opposite side. The top-end CPU is a bit speedier as well. It is also a bit heavier, and is not tapered (which I find aesthetically appealing).

Kluny 14y ago

Probably just the disk drive.

a_c_s 14y ago

http://www.apple.com/why-mac/compare/notebooks.html http://www.apple.com/why-mac/compare/notebooks.html

mdasen 14y ago

MacBook Air: thinner, lighter, comes with a 1440x900 workspace. MacBook Pro: retina resolution display with IPS, faster processor (uses standard mobile Intel processors rather than low-power processors). It comes with a 1280x800 workspace by default, but since it's a retina display you can make the workspace larger without losing too much detail. The MacBook Air is great for mobility if you need the absolute thinnest and lightest. The MacBook Pro's IPS display is going to have much better viewing angles and the processor speed will be marginally better. If I were purchasing, I would go for the MacBook Pro. It comes with 8GB of RAM by default (I'd have to add $100 for that with the Air), I like IPS displays, and I don't think I'd mind the scaling for a larger workspace (since things like text don't see degradation). The drop in price means that the price difference is $200 (assuming 8GB of RAM in each).

boundlessdreamz 14y ago
Macbook pro retina resolution is 2560x1600
- evilduck 14y ago
  That's the panel's native resolution. The (default) effective resolution is only 1280x800 though, just with much more detail. You can configure it of course. In other words, the Macbook Air's 1400x900 will have smaller UI element rendering and more desktop "workspace" than the out-of-box experience with 13" MBPr.
- gte910h 14y ago
  You have to install special software to enable that mode, and it's far too small for most even slightly older adults (farsightedness).
nc 14y ago
15" retina sports a default res of 1440x900

nbm 14y ago

The MBP retina has a higher resolution, and also has two Thunderbolt ports (on the same side as the power, which is nice if you have a Thunderbolt Display with the combined power and Thunderbolt cable). Also HDMI output and SD card slot on the opposite side. The top-end CPU is a bit speedier as well. It is also a bit heavier, and is not tapered (which I find aesthetically appealing).