I
iMore Question
I want to upgrade from my 4-year old generic Windows laptop. I won't be doing much, just online surfing, playing music and playing games on Steam. I've already done some research and compared models, narrowing it down to these three:
- MacBook Pro 13-inch: 2.5GHz ($1,199.00)
- 13-inch MacBook Air 13-inch : 256GB ($1,299.00) [alternatively, the 128GB model ($1,099.00) + an external hard drive (~$60)]
- MacBook Pro 13-inch: 2.4GHz with Retina display ($1,299.00)
My first choice would be the non-Retina display MacBook Pro, but I have some reservations: it's older, heavier and (from what I've read) slower than the newer models. On the flipside, it's the cheapest, contains the most space (500GB), and has a built-in CD/DVD drive.
The 13-inch MacBook Air is my second choice, but there's the whole issue about space. I'm unsure if I should buy the 128GB model and get an external hard drive, or just pay the $200 more for the 256GB model.
My last choice would be the MacBook Pro with Retina display. It has Retina display unlike the other two, but is the most expensive ($1,299 for the 128GB model; I would need to buy an external hard drive). It appears to be the "best" technically-speaking, but I don't know if I really need it based on my needs.
If I buy either the MacBook Pro Retina display or MacBook Air I would also have to buy an USB SuperDrive ($75), since I still play a lot of CDs and DVDs.
What do you suggest would be the best MacBook, based on my needs and price limit?
- MacBook Pro 13-inch: 2.5GHz ($1,199.00)
- 13-inch MacBook Air 13-inch : 256GB ($1,299.00) [alternatively, the 128GB model ($1,099.00) + an external hard drive (~$60)]
- MacBook Pro 13-inch: 2.4GHz with Retina display ($1,299.00)
My first choice would be the non-Retina display MacBook Pro, but I have some reservations: it's older, heavier and (from what I've read) slower than the newer models. On the flipside, it's the cheapest, contains the most space (500GB), and has a built-in CD/DVD drive.
The 13-inch MacBook Air is my second choice, but there's the whole issue about space. I'm unsure if I should buy the 128GB model and get an external hard drive, or just pay the $200 more for the 256GB model.
My last choice would be the MacBook Pro with Retina display. It has Retina display unlike the other two, but is the most expensive ($1,299 for the 128GB model; I would need to buy an external hard drive). It appears to be the "best" technically-speaking, but I don't know if I really need it based on my needs.
If I buy either the MacBook Pro Retina display or MacBook Air I would also have to buy an USB SuperDrive ($75), since I still play a lot of CDs and DVDs.
What do you suggest would be the best MacBook, based on my needs and price limit?