For the 2012 Macbook Pro 13" should I get the 2.5GHz Dual-core Intel Core i5 or the 2.9GHz Dual Core Intel Core i7?

I am a high school student and I am getting my first Macbook Pro. I am not really sure which 13 inch Macbook Pro model I should get. My budget is kind of tight, but I think that I can afford any one of the models but I dont want to spend any money that I dont have to spend. Usually on a day to day basis, I use the web brower, watch movies that I have downloaded, and write a lot of papers. I also sometimes use Photoshop, and while I do not play a lot of games, I do want to have the option if I decide to later when I go to college. The larger hard drive size on the Core i7 model does not really matter to me because I dont plan using more than 500GB. I will be upgrading the ram to 8GB if I get the Core i5 model and it comes standard on the i7. Also, I need this computer to last me for 3-4 years so I want something that will still seem relatively fast a few years down the road. Lastly, while I would prefer getting the Macbook Pro due to its cheaper price and ability to upgrade the hard drive later, I also am considering the Macbook Air Core i7 model, mainly because of the faster ssd and the higher resolution screen. I dont really use the optical drive, so loosing it would not be a big deal. The same goes with the Firewire port or the Ethernet port. What would you guys suggest I get. A Macbook Pro or a Air and if the Pro, should I get the Core i5 or the i7?
Thanks

If you're planning on keeping it for long term.
Go with the i7 2.9GHz.
It's a $300 difference but with that you get; the RAM, Hard Drive and Processor upgrade.
Since you want it to last before you decide to either upgrade or buy a new one.  The i7 2.9GHz is a good choice.
Do remember that Mountain Lion is around the corner and other software get's updated to and wants more CPU power and more memory.
Nothing is wrong with the i5 2.5GHz either.  You'll just have to upgrade the RAM sooner in case 4GB isn't enough for you.
Put it this way:
i5 2.5GHz has 3MB L3 Cache Memory
i7 2.9GHz has 4MB L3 Cache Memory
Now, you're also thinking about the MB Air, a very nice notebook which is light, portable and has a better resolution than the MB Pro 13 inch.  You have to however, keep in mnd that the RAM and Hard Drive in the MB Air is not user upgradeable and has no optical drive.

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