Need help deciding on which Mac to get? Macbook Air vs Macbook Pro Retina

Hey im new here, sorry if these questions get repetitive but im investing a lot of money and dont have much knowledge on computers so i came here. So my options are :
Option 1
13 inch Macbook Air
1.7GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz
8GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM
128GB PCIe-based flash storage
$1249.00
Option 2
13 inch Macbook Air
1.4GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz
8GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM
256GB PCIe-based Flash Storage
$1299.00
Option 3
13 in Macbook pro Retina
2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz
4GB 1600MHz memory
128GB PCIe-based flash storage1
Intel Iris Graphics
$1299.00
here is how i find myself as a computer user...
i use a computer everyday as a college student... a lot of microsoft programs and internet usage...
occasionally i use netflix but i find myself hooking it up to a tv if i watch or stream off my comp
here is my issue why do i need a retina if i can watch most things on tv now that they have internet integrated such as netflix youtube.
so what would be more useful more hard drive space with 8gb of ram or less harddrive space with faster processor
thank you in advance as this is my first post

I had the same question as I was starting grad school and my old MacBook Pro was just getting too tired and slow.
I visited the Apple store and spoke with four different employees and they each came to the same conclusion- separately- that the Pro was the way to go.
If you upgrade your flash like you mentioned you might want to do with the Air that's great, but with the pro upgrading your flash automatically upgrades your RAM as well, doubling you from 4 to 8. I kept going back and forth over what to do because the difference in price was significant, but ultimately more RAM makes for a much faster machine and it will work better, longer. It would most likely buy me another year or more of a well working machine over the Air.
Cost was definitely a factor me as well, but I was able to use the Education pricing, and I chose to buy refurbished.
Also, in terms of portability, the difference in weight is only half a pound. My roommate has the Air and I honestly feel no difference when I'm carrying hers or mine in my school bag. I'm really happy that I went with the Pro with Retina because even though I probably don't use half of the amazing features available on it, I always have the option to. Plus, not being much of a techie I have so much flash storage that I don't need to bother with my external hard drive anymore other than to backup my files. Really, really glad that I listened to the Geniuses!

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Hello,
My question is...
I work in television production and I am making the move to get into editing and I plan on purchasing a Mac in the next few weeks, and I am looking for a bit of advice.
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Westinghouse LTV-27W2 27" Widescreen Progressive-Scan LCD TV

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Matt
Message was edited by: Matt Clifton

Which Mac to get for FCP/AVid work.... Input appreciated

Hello,
My question is...
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Basically I would like to run FCP on the Mac, and if possible I would like to be able to run a version of Avid Express. The projects that I will work on at home will probably be run through FCP, but if possible I would like to be able to install some version of Avid on the same machine to help me learn.
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Message was edited by: Matt Clifton

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I am 14 years old and going into high school. I am debating whether to buy the new macbook or take my grandpa's original macbook air. I want to take programing/coding and graphic design classes, so I wanted to know which computer would be best for me? I like the macbook air for how like and easy it is to carry with me to and from school, but I'm not sure if it would be more beneficial to have the newer technology of the macbook? Any help or input would be great! Thanks

Can the money you don't spend now on a new computer be put aside to buy you a new computer at a later date? That is the key question. The trick with the Air is to avoid using up the harddrive, so the less stuff you have to put on it (games, movies), the better. Other than that, it should be able to do all you want it to do...for now. And given how much you poor students have to haul around in your backpacks , I think it's smart to go for Grandpa's Air and save yourself from hauling around nearly three extra pounds.
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Need help deciding on which Mac to get? Macbook Air vs Macbook Pro Retina

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