Which one to buy Macbook Air 13' 4gb or Macbook Pro 8gb for Computer Science Course

Question

I'm starting university in July and I'm considering purchasing a rMacBook Pro 13" or a MacBook Air 13" to use during my study. I just can't decide which to go for.
The problem with Macbook air is that it is available in only 4gb RAM in India(no option for 8GB yet ) so for 8gb of RAM i have no other option but to go for the much expensive rMBP which costs arnd 600$ more than the MBA here after the student discount.
I will be mostly be using it for coursework, development purpose and movies, not into gaming that much. Wont be using it for photo-editing or video editing purpose, so the doubt that 4gb of RAM would be enough for the next 3+ years. Maximum usage would be running a linux or Win VM and IDE running in it along with maybe an IDE running on the OSX too. Thats the max usage i could think of. 
MBA costs arnd 1060$ and rMBP 1685$. So is the rMBP 8gb worth it for my usage as it is expensive or the MBA would be sufficient enough to last me arnd 3 years according to my usage.

Answer 1

Should the recent or (whenever next) future models have the same limits and inaccessible upgrade design, while highly engineered and nice to look at, as the late 2013; that will turn some to look into finding new-old-stock older models that have removable battery (not glued in) and replaceable or upgradeable RAM where they didn't solder in the chips.
http://www.macrumors.com/2013/10/25/teardowns-of-late-2013-retina-macbook-pros-r eveal-no-improvements-in-accessibility/
You may have to consider an earlier model if you can locate one, that has access to upgrade RAM chips as you see a need develop for greater capacity for specific use; and one that does not have a glued in battery. The ability to upgrade the hard disk drive or have an SSD replaced without major issue or high costs, is another factor to an end-user and one who may not be able to afford to buy anything this costly every year as needs or situations change, or as issues develop in use and demands on the unit present shortcomings for some users.
Subtle hardware change can occur in an existing model line, but we'd have no way of knowing it here, and main media or news releases would be the main source of information; short of knowing someone at a retail store or the online store when you may get a rare opportunity to pre-order a new computer, after news of its pending arrival has hit the streets. By then, the specs are already set in metal, plastic, and retail price.
If there were a source for restored or renewed products of a few years ago, at good discount, with some kind of warranty or guaranty that had a local service on the ground there, I'd suspect that'd be a consideration. In the US, there are several companies who repair and sell repaired computers, in their web site, and get some from lease returns that they can refurbish; these are independent companies such as powermax, wegenermedia, and others who advertise in a limited circle of market.
I wonder if there are any options to order from another country or region Apple Store online where they may offer more inventory; but have no insight or answers to that kind of thinking. We're user-to-user volunteers and sometimes the information is missing to any of us here, that a retail product expert would know.
Wish I could be of more help, but I don't see how at this point.
Good luck & happy computing!