Which MacBook Pro under $2000 for FCPX & Motion 5?

Luis, I don't think I'll be able to the 16 GB if I get the retina so is it best to pass or worth it with 8 GB?

I still haven't seen an answer to my drive speed question between 5400rpm & 7200rpm, noticable difference? If I don't go retina I still may consider going up to next 15 for more processing power to sort of "preventobsolescence" myself. new word to combat Apples planned!

Regarding RAM: it is a tough call. If I had to buy now, I'd be somewhat divided.

The Retina display is gorgeous, and it is hard to pass up; but in sheer terms of power it is not far ahead of the non-Retina. The non-Retina can be set up with an SSD - today or a yeaar from now - and more RAM - again, today or a year from now. If you go with the Retina now, you pretty much have it as is for the rest of the machine's life (SSD upgrades are still a possibility, but likely more expensive because they are not in the standard 2.5" format; RAM upgradeability is zilch).

Regarding 5400 vs 7200: I have in the past upgraded from a 5400 to a 7200 hard drive (in my 2006 MBP), I can say that the difference in speed IS noticeable; not so much as from 7200 to an SSD (which I also did - this same 2006 MBP, that my wife uses daily, feels at times faster than my 2010 MBP, with a 7200 drive).

One other thing that I noticed when I upgraded from 5400 to 7200, and that may or may not be true in recent macs: going from 5400 to 7200 there was a significant increase in noise, both from the HD itself and because the fans got working harder. The same mac with SSD is now almost silent :-)

downtownbarber wrote:

Well I got the retina w/8GB! It's so thin & light you'd be likely to confuse it w/a MBA!?

There's no doubting it's speed compared to the 15 MBP. But last night I was trying to connect my AE(xpress) to the hotel Wi-Fi in order to watch my ATV, and when I got an ethernet cable to set it up....WHAT??? NO ETHERNET CABLE??? This is something I can't figure out, but then again I haven''t tried to. They really are going to go full iOS? I see iMacBooks in the future:(

There is no Ethernet port in the Retina MBPs, but that doesn't mean you can't connect to a wired network. You will need an adapter, though. If you put an RJ-45 Ethernet plug next to the side of your MPB you will see why - it is so thin that there is just no available height for it. There is a Thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter (and also a Thunderbolt to Firewire adapter, if you need it). I expect I will still need both when (hopefully next year) I get to buy my own Retina :-)

As both a Mac and iOS user, I can both see (and use) the advantages of integration (iCloud syncing of contacts and calendars is excellent; photo stream, though not essential, is cool). BUT I don't want a Mac to become an iPad (nor viceversa, for that matter).