Macbook Pro Retina vs. MacBook Air 2014 Specs, Features, Price & Comparison: Does the Retina Screen Make All the Difference?
The latest MacBook Air is capable of up to 12 hours of web surfing on one charge while the MacBook Pro Retina has a much better screen display. Which is right for you? Let's compare.
Display
The MacBook Air has a resolution of 1,440 x 990 displaying 128 pixels per inch (ppi).
The MacBook Pro Retina has a much better resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 displaying 227 ppi.
Winner: MacBook Pro Retina
Weight
The MacBook Air continues to amaze with its feather-light weight. It weighs in at only 1.57 kilograms.
The MacBook Pro Retina got a little bit lighter but still weighs more than the Air. It weighs in at 1.57 kg.
Winner: MacBook Air
Processor
The MacBook Air has the Intel Core i5 Haswell Dual Core processor that clocks in at 1.4 GHz. It can be overclocked to 2.7 GHz.
The MacBook Pro Retina comes standard with the Intel Core i5 Haswell Dual Core processor that clocks in at 2.4 GHz. It can be overclocked to 2.9 GHz. For a premium price, you can upgrade to the Intel Core i7 Dual Core Processor at either 2.8 GHz (can be overclocked to 3.3 GHz) or 3 GHz (can be overclocked to 3.7 GHz).
Winner: MacBook Pro Retina
RAM
The MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro Retina both come standard with 4 GB of RAM.
The MacBook Pro Retina can support up to 16 GB of RAM.
Winner: MacBook Pro Retina
Battery Life
The MacBook Air has amazing battery life, up to 12 hours of web surfing on a single charge.
The MacBook Pro Retina has impressive battery life as well, up to 9 hours of web surfing on a single charge.
Winner: MacBook Air
Storage
The MacBook Air is customizable with either a 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB hard drive. This is a solid state hard drive.
The MacBook Pro Retina offers the same storage choices as the Air but adds a 1 terrabyte (TB) option.
Winner: MacBook Pro Retina
Thunderbolt Ports
The MacBook Air has only one Thunderbolt Port for you to plug in the latest devices.
The MacBook Pro Retina has two Thunderbolt Ports.
Winner: MacBook Pro Retina
Price
The 13.3-inch MacBook Air entry-level model is selling for $949.99 on MacMall.com an authorized reseller of Apple products.
The 13.3-inch MacBook Pro Retina entry-level model is selling for $1,234.99 on MacMall.com.
Winner: MacBook Air
Overall Winner: The MacBook Air
Being so light, you can't beat the MacBook Air! It also has an amazing battery life. You'll be able to do all the things you need on this portable computer.
Most users won't need the extra features and extra price of the MacBook Pro Retina. Besides having a better screen and being a little faster, most differences in the MacBook Air and Pro Retina won't be that noticeable. Save some money and enjoy the long battery life of the Air.
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