Macbook Pro 2012 with 240GB SSD or Macbook Air 2012 240GB SSD or Macbook Pro Retina

Question

Macbook Pro 13inch 2012 240GB SSD Specs:
2.5GHz Dual-core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz
4GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM — 2x2GB
500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
240BG Mercury Extreme Pro 6G SSD
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Overall Price $1600+Tax
or
Macbook Air 2012 13inch with 240GB SSD SPECS:
1.8GHz Intel Dual-Core Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 2.8GHz
8GB 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
240GB Auro Pro 6G Solid State Drive
Turbo Boost up to 2.8GHz
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Overall Price $1600+Tax
or
Macbook Pro Retina 15inch 2012 256SSD Specs:
2.3GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz
8GB 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
256GB Flash Storage
Intel HD Graphics 4000
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1GB of GDDR5 memory
Overall Price $2199+Tax
orMacbook Pro Retina 13in 2012 256SSD Specs:
2.5GHz Dual-core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz
128GB Flash Storage or 256 Crucial m4 256GB 2.5 inch if possible to upgrade
2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz
8GB 1600MHz memory
Intel HD Graphics 4000
I'm looking for a laptop that will last me a couple of years which is why I'm upgrading to SSD without losing performance. I usually game on my Mac so I want a laptop to handle that, handle programs in the background and writing or reading without losing speed, I also need a laptop that has fast boot time.
I will be using the laptop mainly for school and running programs such as iWork and mircrosoft office as well as websurfing and video streaming thanks for any advice.

Answer 1

I hope others pipe in with their comments, but the first suggestion is to visit your local Apple Store and try out the units. Trying them out can make a difference in your decision.
This is how I'd try to make sense of this:
MBP 13 2012:
Solid all-purpose portable at a decent price, and even has a 240GB SSD. If you don't load it with tons to videos, this will more than fit your needs as a student and websurfer. A little heavier than the others here, but it's a solid package that's stable. Great if you need to use the CD/DVD.
MBA 13 2012:
Also good, similar specs, notably lighter. Notes are easy to take, and easier to carry on long campus treks. If you're not near a power source, the battery life may be a concern. If you need a CD/DVD, you can connect it when you need it - but it's extra. Servicing a MBA is more difficult.
MBR 15 2012:
Beautiful display, packed with performance. No DVD/CD drive, NVIDIA performance is unproven, kind of pricey, the first generation of a device; it's going to get better over time. Can't be serviced in any way by the user; the Apple Store is your only option. Now's not the best time to get the MBR.
MBR 13 2012:
Same comments.
I'd say the MBA is a good pick. Few moving parts, therefore more reliability. Low heat. You can always attach a CD/DVD drive via USB. Intel Graphics is solid; no problems there. Plenty of capacity for your needs. And the display is bright. MBA 13 or 11, IMO.