A more specific Air vs Pro thread

Hello all,
It seems I'll be making the jump to macs in the near future. I own an iPad 2, latest iPad, iPhone 4S, and the latest AppleTV. A variety of laptop choices are being offered at work, so naturally I should pick out a Mac to complete the ecosystem. Both models offered are 13" models and have the maximum i7 processor and RAM configurations, respectively. The Pro will come with an SSD instead of the mechanical drive.
What are we looking at when it comes to performance? Which machine does things faster? I've heard an astounding number of reports claiming the Air actually outperforms the Pro. Would the same hold true hold here? If the Air can reliably edit video, audio, and support developing iOS apps that will certainly influence my decision when I'm ready to buy a Mac for personal use.

Given that both will have an SSD drive the advantage of the MBP will be more memory (immediately or expandable later) while the MBA max is 4GB and cannot be upgraded. The MBP has a DVD reader/burner. The advantage of the MBA is thinner and lighter.
I just moved from an early 2009 13" MBP with an OEM SSD to a 2011 MBA. Since the MBA has the newer processor and faster memory bus, obviously there's been a noticeable speed bump for me but overall even had I not gained any improvement in performance, I'd choose the MBA because of the weight. I hardly know it is in my carryall.

Similar Messages

Ok- I might need to be a bit more specific-- My MacBook Pro is suddenly making a whirling noise-- sometimes it's quiet but other times you can really hear it from across the room. This just started happening-- it almost sounds like a tweeting noise --

I submitted a question last night but wasn't specific enough-- My MacBook Pro is suddenly making a whirling noise when it's on. Sometimes it's not too loud-- but other times it almost sounds like a tweeting-- there is nothing in the DVD/CD drive-- Is this something I should have looked at?

This is not normal. It is better to have it checked. Take it to the Apple Store.
Best.

Is a Macbook air more durable than a Pro (with flash storage) for travelling?for

Is a Macbook Air more durable than a Macbook Pro (with flash storage) for extensive travelling?

Since neither Air nor Pro shoud be abused or used as a hockey puck,......the question is ALMOST moot.
However the AIr is to be certain more durable than the Pro is due to:
1. fewer parts (much)
2. lower mass inertia at impact
3. less chassis flex due to depth and form.
4. LCD on Air is less fragile than the retina display on the Pro is
5. Air is much easier to repair in case of a spill (however this is almost another moot point)
For much traveling and "abuse", the Air is the winner to be certain, however its still moot if you have a good padded case and prevent other ignorant people in your travels from manhandling your Air or Pro
BOTH current Air and Pro use SSD flash storage.
BOTH only have 1 moving part, the fan.

Which is better for music production: macbook air or pro?

Which is better for music production: macbook air or pro?

The MacBook Pro has higher specifications, depending
on the model, and then CTO additional upgrades.
The Air does not have a Retina display, but has lesser
specs, so that may make a difference. They still offer a
low-end MB/Pro w/ optical drive, w/o Retina; specs vary;
it may work in your instance. You'd have 14 days to take
a new Apple computer back, so keep that in mind.
Good luck!

More specific to two questions

Hi,
First of all, many thanks to Rottier, Daniel, Geoff. Your ideas are
definitely useful.
Regarding two questions I posted yesterday, I’d like to give you more
background information so that it will make questions more specific.
Now we have a lot of applications (programs) written in either C, C++,
Java codes or Forte (maybe other language like VB). Our purpose is to
integrate all the codes written for the different platforms such as
Windows NT and UNIX together seamlessly through CORBA or CORBA-IIOP
(Internet Inter-Object Request Broker Protocol). The most difficulties
I have met so far are to pass an object by its value. As you know,
CORBA specifications, version 2, don’t support the concept “pass object
by value”. But currently, some of CORBA vendors such as Forte and Iona
(OrbixWeb) do extend the concept “pass by reference” and support the
concept “pass object by value” for Java Mode not for IDL (Interface
Definition Language) Mode. If we want to integrate all codes together
without the support of “pass object by value”, the following question I
need to answer is the garbage collection in the Forte server side. In
CORBA IDL mode, I have to set all IsAnchored attributes of all objects
to TRUE. Can these objects be garbage collected? If yes, how does the
garbage collection work?
Please note that the client (C, C++, Java or other language) and the
server (Forte) are written using different languages (not limited to
Forte)! The question I posted can be much complicated if the client and
server are written in the different languages and for the different
platforms (NT and UNIX) as well as applied to the distributed and
multithreaded environment.
To be exact, if one of the multiple remote C++ clients decides not to
access the objects (not limited to service objects) in the Forte server,
how does Forte garbage collection know what the client has done
automatically and garbage collect the object? It is known that CORBA
does not support garbage collection. Is there any functionality
provided by Forte to let itself be automatically notified? As we know,
COM and DCOM do have such kind of functionality. When you integrate
DCOM with your applications, at both sides (client and server), it is
DCOM who internally poll the object references periodically. How about
CORBA and Forte? Forte has integrated IIOP as its own built-in
component and supported VisiBroker and IONA CORBA products. My guess is
because Forte has IIOP built in itself (both sides have to run ORB), so
Forte has the full control over the whole running environment, and can
monitor the references to the objects, and apply the garbage collection
to the objects automatically. Is this true? Here are the key words:
multiple, remote (distributed), different platforms and languages,
CORBA-IIOP. We should take all of these things into our consideration.
I did find that there is a big difference between IsAnchored set to TRUE
and FALSE when I tried to integrate C++ client, Forte server and Java
client, Forte server. For the C++ client, you have to set IsAnchored
attributes of all kinds of objects to TRUE. Note that In Forte, the
service objects and the ordinary objects are treated differently. The
service objects are created by Compiler or Interpreter. It is
transparent to the users. The ordinary objects are created at run time,
garbage collection can be applied to. For Java client, you can either
set IsAnchored attribute to TRUE or FALSE depending on what you want
(access the services provided by Forte server side by value or
reference). This really answers the question: IsAnchored can control
pass object by value or reference, and really matches what you guys
talked about in your e-mail. My thoughts are that IsAnchored has
nothing to do with the garbage collection, otherwise this will disable
the garbage collection at all! Because I have to set all IsAnchored
attributes to TRUE at Forte server side for my C++ client, if the
garbage collection is really based on the IsAnchored attribute, this
means that the garbage collection is totally disabled for all those
objects with their IsAnchored attributes set to TRUE! Can anyone
confirm that? Don’t forget that this issue is raised in such
complicated environment! What I want to clarify is whether Forte does
provide such a garbage collection mechanism so nice, so smart to
automatically maintain a persistent object reference table or whatever
and deal with the garbage collection issue in such complicated
environment!
Believe this can make my questions much specific and clear. I’d like to
discuss more details about it.
Thank you again for your informative ideas.
Shi-Long, Yin
US West in Denver
Tel: 303-624-1305
e-mail: [email protected]
To unsubscribe, email '[email protected]' with
'unsubscribe forte-users' as the body of the message.
Searchable thread archive <URL:http://pinehurst.sageit.com/listarchive/>

Hi,
First of all, many thanks to Rottier, Daniel, Geoff. Your ideas are
definitely useful.
Regarding two questions I posted yesterday, I’d like to give you more
background information so that it will make questions more specific.
Now we have a lot of applications (programs) written in either C, C++,
Java codes or Forte (maybe other language like VB). Our purpose is to
integrate all the codes written for the different platforms such as
Windows NT and UNIX together seamlessly through CORBA or CORBA-IIOP
(Internet Inter-Object Request Broker Protocol). The most difficulties
I have met so far are to pass an object by its value. As you know,
CORBA specifications, version 2, don’t support the concept “pass object
by value”. But currently, some of CORBA vendors such as Forte and Iona
(OrbixWeb) do extend the concept “pass by reference” and support the
concept “pass object by value” for Java Mode not for IDL (Interface
Definition Language) Mode. If we want to integrate all codes together
without the support of “pass object by value”, the following question I
need to answer is the garbage collection in the Forte server side. In
CORBA IDL mode, I have to set all IsAnchored attributes of all objects
to TRUE. Can these objects be garbage collected? If yes, how does the
garbage collection work?
Please note that the client (C, C++, Java or other language) and the
server (Forte) are written using different languages (not limited to
Forte)! The question I posted can be much complicated if the client and
server are written in the different languages and for the different
platforms (NT and UNIX) as well as applied to the distributed and
multithreaded environment.
To be exact, if one of the multiple remote C++ clients decides not to
access the objects (not limited to service objects) in the Forte server,
how does Forte garbage collection know what the client has done
automatically and garbage collect the object? It is known that CORBA
does not support garbage collection. Is there any functionality
provided by Forte to let itself be automatically notified? As we know,
COM and DCOM do have such kind of functionality. When you integrate
DCOM with your applications, at both sides (client and server), it is
DCOM who internally poll the object references periodically. How about
CORBA and Forte? Forte has integrated IIOP as its own built-in
component and supported VisiBroker and IONA CORBA products. My guess is
because Forte has IIOP built in itself (both sides have to run ORB), so
Forte has the full control over the whole running environment, and can
monitor the references to the objects, and apply the garbage collection
to the objects automatically. Is this true? Here are the key words:
multiple, remote (distributed), different platforms and languages,
CORBA-IIOP. We should take all of these things into our consideration.
I did find that there is a big difference between IsAnchored set to TRUE
and FALSE when I tried to integrate C++ client, Forte server and Java
client, Forte server. For the C++ client, you have to set IsAnchored
attributes of all kinds of objects to TRUE. Note that In Forte, the
service objects and the ordinary objects are treated differently. The
service objects are created by Compiler or Interpreter. It is
transparent to the users. The ordinary objects are created at run time,
garbage collection can be applied to. For Java client, you can either
set IsAnchored attribute to TRUE or FALSE depending on what you want
(access the services provided by Forte server side by value or
reference). This really answers the question: IsAnchored can control
pass object by value or reference, and really matches what you guys
talked about in your e-mail. My thoughts are that IsAnchored has
nothing to do with the garbage collection, otherwise this will disable
the garbage collection at all! Because I have to set all IsAnchored
attributes to TRUE at Forte server side for my C++ client, if the
garbage collection is really based on the IsAnchored attribute, this
means that the garbage collection is totally disabled for all those
objects with their IsAnchored attributes set to TRUE! Can anyone
confirm that? Don’t forget that this issue is raised in such
complicated environment! What I want to clarify is whether Forte does
provide such a garbage collection mechanism so nice, so smart to
automatically maintain a persistent object reference table or whatever
and deal with the garbage collection issue in such complicated
environment!
Believe this can make my questions much specific and clear. I’d like to
discuss more details about it.
Thank you again for your informative ideas.
Shi-Long, Yin
US West in Denver
Tel: 303-624-1305
e-mail: [email protected]
To unsubscribe, email '[email protected]' with
'unsubscribe forte-users' as the body of the message.
Searchable thread archive <URL:http://pinehurst.sageit.com/listarchive/>

What notebook is better the air or pro

i have a mac i am going to get another computer with notebook is better the air or pro.

As AnaMusic says - the one that suits your needs best is 'better'.
That said, you should be looking at two things: the extreme portability of the Airs and the more powerful processing power of the Pros. If lightness and portability are your main needs, go with the Air. If you want a machine with more raw power and still some portability, go with the Pro.
And as AnaMusic also says, it's best to take a look at the machines side-by-side before making a purchasing decision. Run a processor intensive app (any of the Apple Pro apps, or even Photoshop) on both machines and if the Pro is faster - and if you want fast - go with the Pro. If the Pro just seems too heavy for you, go with the Air.
In the end, it's your decision to make - power versus portability.
Good luck,
Clinton

Looking to buy a new Mac, which is better Mac Air or Pro?

I currently own a 13.3inch LED-backlit widescreen notebook Mac book pro from 2011 and am looking to upgrade. I'm in my last year of high school and will be starting college next year. I'm really into photography, and use my computer for all my notes and assignments in class. SD card slot is prefreable. Really lost as to what I should get, not looking to spend over $1,500.00 (roughly, open to ideas). Is it worth buying an 11'inch basic? If so how can I connect my SD card? ANY help is very appreciated:)

13" Air with 8gig of RAM
11" Air doesnt have a SD card slot. Ive owned both 11 and 13" Air, still have a 13", and also a current pro.
If as you said you plan on much photo editing, then definitely get the 13"
The NEW macbook Pro and Air are extremely close in form factor
The newest macbook Pro is essentially a larger macbook Air with Retina display and options for speed in increasing prices up to an independent graphics and quad core processor.
both Air and new Pro now have PCIe SSD and permanent RAM.
The Air is the lightweight portable form factor, fast to boot and shut down, but with longer battery life than any of the macbook pro in 13"
Now the new macbook Pro and macbook Air are extremely close in form factor and nature.
both have 802ac wifi
both have permanent RAM, no superdrive
both are slim profiles and SSD
The only real differences now are (in the most expensive Pros) faster processors and quadcore processors and top end model autonomous graphics, also HDMI output on the new macbook Pros!. ....and of course the retina display
both are now "very good for travel"
DETAILED bench tests between the new AIR and the new PRO here:
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/11/how-to-choose-13-inch-macbook-air-vs-13-i nch-retina-macbook-pro/2/
Other than features the form factor of the Air and Pro are VERY close now,....so now its merely a matter of features and price more than anything.
You need an external HD regardless of what you get for backups etc. Drop into an Apple store and handle both and make your choice based on features, such as Retina or non-retina, .... both at a distance now look like the same computer.
The Pro weighs more, ....but nowhere near what it used to just a month ago on the older macbook Pros
The NEW macbook Pro is a different creature entirely than the older macbook Pro, .....the new Pro is thicker than the Air, but id frankly call the NEWEST Pro a "macbook Air with Retina display" , or
Maybe a “macbook Air PRO with Retina display”
Instead of Air vs. Pro now,.....its really a smooth transition from Air to pro without comparing say, 2 different creatures, now its like contrasting a horse from a race horse (rough analogy)
Either one in 8gig of RAM (preferably)... the 4gig upgrade costs very little, the I7 you will notice only 15% faster on heavy applications over the I5, and NOTHING on most APPS.....I5 has longer battery life.
As you see below, the non-Retina 13" AIR is 82% of the Macbook with Retina display in resolution
there is no magical number of pixels per inch that automatically equates to Retina quality.
http://www.cultofmac.com/168509/why-you-might-be-disappointed-by-the-resolution- of-those-new-retina-display-macs-feature/
A huge internal SSD isnt a game changer for anything, you need an external HD anyway
what you WONT READ on Apple.com etc. is that the larger SSD are much faster due to SSD density
"The 512GB Samsung SSD found in our 13-inch model offers roughly a 400MB/s increase in write speeds over the 128GB SanDisk/Marvell SSD"
http://blog.macsales.com/19008-performance-testing-not-all-2013-macbook-air-ssds -are-the-same
Here is an excellent video comparison between the 11” I5 vs. I7 2013 Macbook Air.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDqJ-on03z4
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7113/2013-macbook-air-core-i5-4250u-vs-core-i7-465 0u/2
I5 vs. I7 performance 13” Macbook Air 2013
Boot performance
11.7 I5 ……11.4 I7
Cinebench
1.1 I5….1.41 I7
IMovie Import and Opt.
6.69 I5….5.35 I7
IMovie Export
10.33 I5…8.20 I7
Final Cut Pro X
21.47 I5…17.71 I7
Adobe Lightroom 3 Export
25.8 I5….31.8 I7
Adobe Photoshop CS5 Performance
27.3 I5…22.6 I7
Macbook Pro ports:
Macbook Air (13") ports:

MacBook Air or Pro for Print/SocialMed/Video

I know this has been asked in all different ways but can't seem to find a thread that has what I'm wondering...appreciate the time and effort all of you put into these messages for those of us who don't pour over all the technical specs!
I'm a graphic designer (I'm in InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator 80% of the day) but I also create training videos, iPad apps, iBooks and create everything for social media venues for my company. I also do a lot of the same on the side when I can for freelance jobs as well as create things for family events.
I'm looking to replace my home iMac with a MacBook but not sure which; the Air or Pro. I have a 2 x 2.26 Quad-core intel, 6GB Mem MacPro at work so that's what I'm use to working with. I beleive, from other reading, it's a nice to have the 8GB Mem but I also know this is all stuff I can add. I'm looking to spend around $2,000. I'm leaving it up to you pros out there to let me know what's the best bang for my buck.
Thanks to all who take the time to respond! Love this community!

If I were in your position, I would choose one of these:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC976LL/A
http://store.apple.com/us/product/G0ML2LL/A
I'm not certain that the 16 GB RAM is mandatory, but it would be nice.
My principle concern is the GPU capability. Both of these units have discrete GPU which will give you optimum performance in a note book.
Yes, both are refurbished units. I have done this three times and I recommend this path. They have always looked as if new with the same warranty and telephone support as a new one. It's your money.
Ciao.

Macbook Air or Pro for gaming.

Hi i was wondering if any of you could answer a couple of questions for me, i am looking to buy a new macbook air or pro (not sure which) but i was wondering if i could play a PC game via bootcamp? would it work okay? Also would a wireless PS4/3 or Xbox 1/360 controller work wirelessly?
Which laptop would be more suited to this?
Thanks, Jake.

Take some time to read through:Boot Camp: Frequently asked questions about installing Windows 8 and also visit the BootCamp support site at http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/

Re: More specific to two questions

Hi everybody,
I have been watching this debate with interest. I encountered similar
situation and realised that even after calling the method
ReleaseDistReference on DistObjectMgr, the object is live ( Probably
some time before garbage collection kicks in) and can be binded using
ObjectLocationManager.BindObject() method. This caused some problems to
us. This object is not invalidated for further use. Can somebody from
Forte answer this ?
Pradnesh Dange
Indus Consultancy Services
140, E.Ridgewood Ave.
Paramus, NJ 07652
Ph: 201-261-3100 (x-234)
Fax: 201-261-1399
From: Shi-Long Yin[SMTP:[email protected]]
Reply To: Shi-Long Yin
Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 1998 12:19 PM
To: Boris Berezetsky; 'Forte Users Mailing list'
Subject: Re: More specific to two questions
Hi, Boris
Your helps are really appreciated!
I've already read this part and other relevant materials of Forte
document.
So far, what I understand is if an object is anchored, the garbage
collector
will be not automatically applied to it. You must explicitly add it
to the
list of the garbage collection.
Also, many thanks to all who have helped me in this topic.
Merry Christmas!
Shi-Long
Boris Berezetsky wrote:
Hi, Shi-Long
I'm not sure if this has been mentioned already, but just in case...
Take a look at ReleaseDistReference method of DistObjectMgr class.
The following is an excert from Forte Help on the topic:
"This method is needed because the distributed object manager keepsa
list of all anchored objects that have been handed out asdistributed
references, or are anchored objects that are being used asdistributed
references in other partitions. Invoking the ReleaseDistReferencemethod
lets the distributed object manager remove the object from itsinternal
list, which can then allow memory management to occur on theobject."
To unsubscribe, email '[email protected]' with
'unsubscribe forte-users' as the body of the message.
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<URL:http://pinehurst.sageit.com/listarchive/>
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Opinion between MB Air or Pro

Hi everyone! I know that probably I'm not the first person who ask somethink like that, but I need to decide what kind of MacBook I'm going to buy for my next birthday on March. Firstly I have to say that this will be the first MacBook in my life, in fact, I've never had one before. I'm thinking at something useful for the university and something that can substitute my 5 years old notebook. I'm really confused because all my friends said to me that both Air and Pro are really magnificent, fast, amazing. I also don't want to spend too much money, so I would choose a 13" model and spend between 1200 and 1500 euros (it depends on how much money I'll save). I use my notebook for all the web activities (mail, social network, researches for school, downloading programs and things like that), to make writings, to run video programs like Pinnacle Studio and other little programs, music (lots of music) and sometimes games. I saw the new MB Pro with retina display and things like that, but when I saw that they have no cd/dvd player and ethernet, I just changed idea. If it can help me, I have also a 250Gb external HDD. So, what I should buy? Air or Pro? (I wrote in the MB Air section because actually I would buy it because is cheaper and relly, really beautiful, but I'm really confused).

Hi there,
If you didn't pick the Retina Macbook because it has no DVD then your choice is easy as the MackBook Air has no DVD drive either. So you will pick the Pro instead I suppose :-) .
I have a MBA 11" and it is great, very thin and light, perfect to move it around. I would have loved to have this at uni. However, I only do some email, web surfing, etc. on it... nothing too fancy such as gaming or video editing. A MB Pro will better suit your needs but will be a little heavier. But if you are at uni you will be carrying books and a backpack around so it is not such a big deal I suppose.
Just think then:
MB Pro
- Heavier
- Faster
- More HD storage
- DVD drive
- Better for gaming
MB Air
- Light, very light
- Same screen/Keyboard as MB Pro
- Sound is worse
- Solid State Drive means system is faster, but you only have 128gb (on the cheap version)
- Worse for gaming, video editing, etc. Perfect for using excel, word, internet

Advice needed on Mac Air or Pro?

As my faithful HP laptop of 9 years is now on it’s last legs, after reading so many positive reviews about the Macs, I am considering purchasing one of these.
I would really appreciate some advice on some concerns/reservations I have:
My first dilemma is which is more appropriate, I personally like the look of the air because it is smaller & I was reading that the SSD is better than what is on the Pro (sorry I am not very technical! ).
My use:
Mainly internet browsing
Itunes
I don’t do any gaming
Photo editing (hobby not professional)
Small amount of work in word & excel (minimal)
To give you idea of my current usage I looked on my current PC settings and my usage on my C drive is 99.3gb of a 148gb. Most my photos I have backed up on an external hard drive, but would like to have them back on my laptop.
Questions:
Would I be able to use this external hard drive on a Mac? (it’s a Cirago)
Would I be able to open Excel & Word documents on a Mac?
I currently use Opera for my internet which I really like, would I be able to download this on a Mac?
Sorry if some of these questions seem a little dumb, but I am a complete novice & know nothing about the Macs!
Any advice would be very much appreciated!

Either the MacBook Air or Pro would suit your needs. The MBA's greatest assets are its extreme portability and SSD while the MBP's greatest assets are its internal DVD and expandability. I have both (one is mine and one supplied by work) and given a choice of just one I'd choose the MBA. i seldom need a DVD drive.
OGELTHORPE's advice to go for the 256GB drive (even though it might seem that you don't need it) is spot on. A very large percentage of customers who buy the 64 & 128gb models come back to the store where I work part time within 6-18 months with full drives.
Mac Office 2011 is very similar and will take care of your Office needs - LibreOffice is an open source product (and free) which will open and let you edit your documents. And assuming your drive uses USB (and I'd assume it does) you'll be able to use it with your new Mac. There are two common Windows disk formats - the Mac can read both but can only write to FAT. You may or may not want/need to reformat it.

Universal power pack for Mac air, Mac pro and ipad

Have an 10 hour flight comming up    Would like to purchase universal power pack for Mac air Mac pro and ipad

I do not take Intergrative Nutrition, but I have some advice for choosing your device. Your choice of device should be based upon what you will use your device for currently and in the future.
     If you are just using your device to use the internet and do light activities (smal typing, etc.) then the MacBook Air is a better choice. You should note that the Air has no Superdrive(for your DVD's CD's etc.) so you will have to put out more money to get one. It can also be slow because of the Flash Memory.
     If you are going to be doing more "heavy" computing (photo editing, sound editing, lots of multitasking, large file sizes etc) then I would suggest getting the MacBook Pro.
     If you prefer tablets, or tablet style reading then the iPad will be better for you. You should keep in mind that ther are restrictions on the files that you can view or work with on the iPad.
Overall, I prefer the MacBook Pro because of its versatility, durability and capabilities to do multiple file types. If you have any more questions, feel free to drop by your local Apple Store or Apple Authorize Retailer. They will be happy to help you!

I want to buy macbook air 13, can i use designing software like AUTOCAD, solidworks, and some heavy games, like Maxpayne 3 and Some more in AIR 13??

i want to buy macbook air 13, can i use designing software like AUTOCAD, solidworks, and some heavy games, like Maxpayne 3 and Some more in AIR 13??

Welcome to Apple Discussions.
Read the system requirements for the programs you listed. Match them against the specifications of the machine you propose to buy. The more RAM the better, your hard drive size requirements and video card specicications may require the upgraded, not base, model or may eliminate the MBA as a platform.

First Macbook: Should I get the Air or Pro Retina?

I just got accepted to graduate school and wanted to splurge on a new laptop as I have had my Asus laptop for over 6 years and it is PAINFULLY slow.
I will be using it for school but here is my thing:
I dont want to invest in something that is not going to last my 3 years of graduate school.
I thought I was set on buying the Air but then I started to see articles saying the Air is at the end of its time. What do you guys think? Air or Pro Retina? I am completely new to Apple (besides having an iPad) and would like your input!!!

Whether whatever you buy will last you 3 years is going to be largely dependent on what you intend to do with it and how much you want to spend.
The MBP can be substantially more powerful than a MBA. It's also to beef up a MBA to the point that it is more powerful than the low end of the MBP line.
The first question is, what do you need to do? What kind of work? Do you need to run specialized applications? Will you be doing work that involves a lot of heavy lifting? Video editing, heavy photo editing, etc? If not, then the power of one over the other starts to become less of an issue.
How portable do you need it to be? An 11" MBA comes in at just about 2.3 pounds. The 13" is 2.9 pounds. The new MacBook will weigh in at just 2 Pounds.
Do you need (or want) a Retina display? For some, that's a deal breaker. The display on the MBA is good for what it is. I have one. Just bought it in fact. It's a good display. Is it drop dead gorgeous, like a retina display? No, but I don't need that. I was willing to make the trade off to save money and weight.
If you'll be doing standard 'office' type stuff.... MS Office or similar for writing papers, Web for research, email, etc, then any of them would be just fine. The processor in the new MB isn't quite as bad as the early nay-sayers would seem to indicate. Performance tests were largely run on a design from another manufacturer that was defective out of the gate. I believe Apple won't have that problem.
The issue with the new MB (for me) is price. I was able to get a refurbished 11" 2014 MBA for $679. That's almost half the price of the new MB. Don't overlook the deals to be had in the refurb store!

A more specific Air vs Pro thread

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