MacBook Pro vs MacBook air, what is best for my life

Hello,
I'm looking at a MacBook air/MacBook Pro. I have no specific one in mind. I don't know a whole lot about MacBooks aside from the fact that they are a bit pricy but they can get the job done(I think), but can a refurbished MacBook under $850?
The only requirements for the MacBook I can think of right now are
• enough memory space for decent photo editing software, decent programming software, text editors, one or two utility applications and whatever software you need for learning how to make iPhone apps
• the ability to run multiple windows at once(example: photoshop in one window, the Mac store in another, a text editor in another, and two or three web pages open; this is at max).
• one that will last at least 5-6 hours per full charge(looking for around 7-8, but 5 hours is fine).
• has the ability to run a better firewall than a windows computer from 2004 running an old operation system.
That's all I can think of at the moment. So could someone tell me what amount of memory(at minimum) and how much ram are needed(at minimum) for the MacBook to serve my purpose? Also what model would that be?

Did I post this in the wrong section?

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HT3231 Re: What cables are necessary for the fastest transfer of data from MacBook Pro to MacBook Air
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souvikfromKolkata,
you’ll know as soon as the rest of us do if Apple decide to produce a new non-Retina model. My guess would be that they won’t do so, but that’s only a guess.
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Hi guys!
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define sufficient
If you plan on much/ larger video editing then get the Pro.
I own both, and love both,... prefer the Air a bit more for portability, however that is purely subjective.
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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.
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both have permanent RAM, no superdrive
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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/
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"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 processor and configuration options:
http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs-retina/
Macbook Pro ports:
Macbook Air (13") ports:

Macbook Pro or Macbok Air?

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That worry aside, I need my laptop for college so I need something powerful but maybe not as powerful as the computer I have since I don't think I am going to be taking any classes in video editing or anything like that. I will be using my laptop mainly for online classes, normal college stuff, light internet browsing, probably some light gaming, and basic photo enhancing. I really like the ultra-portability of the Air but I don't want to sacrifice anything I may need performance wise. To sum it all down, I am confused.
Thanks in advance!

I'm not sure why you feel that you purchased the wrong Macbook....
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MacBook Pro vs MacBook air, what is best for my life

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