MacBook Air VS MacBook Pro 2013: Retina Display Gives Pro the Edge? Features, Specs, Price, Release Date in September?

MacBook Air VS MacBook Pro 2013: Retina Display Gives Pro the Edge? Features, Specs, Price, Release Date in September? 

Once upon a time, buying a new computer was a pretty easy decision. There was one brand, one model, one price, and not a lot of room for error.

Even in a not so distant past, the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro were completely different devices with seemingly exclusive features and specs. The line in the sand has all but disappeared, with an increasingly more advanced MacBook Air update each year.

With a new MacBook Pro model on the immediate horizon [possibly September release date?] let's take a look at a breakdown of the two Apple laptops [13-inch versions].

Size is where the MacBook Air makes its first claim as the preferred laptop. Weighing in at 3 lbs, the Air is a ¾ lb lighter than the MacBook Pro. Though the Pro is easy to carry, the edge certainly goes to the lighter MacBook Air.

However, usually slimming down on design means compromising some performance specs. The heavier MacBook Pro is powered by a 2.5GHz Intel Core i5 processor with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The smaller, lighter MacBook Air runs on a 1.3GHz Intel Haswell ULT processor and 4GB RAM. Though the latest MacBook Air has a slower clock speed than the previous model [1.8GHz] studies show the new Haswell processor is 45 percent fast with graphics performance 40 percent greater.

The MacBook Pro also comes equipped with a better display. At 2560 x 1600, the Air is no competition [1440 x 900-pixel]. In addition, there are more than 250 Apps that take advantage of the Retina display on the MacBook Pro.

When it comes to overall price and value, it's your discretion. However, there's no way to deny the $400 cheaper starting price for the MacBook Air starting price is pretty attractive.