2013 MacBook Pro Retina 13" vs MacBook Air 13" I am considering buying a 13" MacBook. Please note that this would be my first Apple device. The two the options that I am considering are:


MacBook Air, 2013, 13", 128GB SSD, 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5, 4GB DDR3
MacBook Pro with Retina display, 2013, 13", 128GB SDD, 2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5, 4GB DDR3


There are some issues that I am concerned about:


Performance
Is the 128GB enough? (How much would the OS take up of this?)
The MacBook Pro seems to be quite tough. Does it also apply to the Air?
I am also interested in Windows alternatives... I am looking for "13 ultrabooks with long battery life + SSD and decent computing power. Could you recommend any?
In general, what are the pros and cons of MacBook Air vs. Windows ultrabooks?


Thanks a lot
My first Mac is a MacBook Air.

It is now 18 months old -still a baby :)

I love it:

First it is slim and very light- important for me.

I do have the 256 Gig SSD, and after a Year it is filled up with Photos and Movies consuming 110 Gig.

I travel a lot and love the intelligent WiFi, it always finds me a connection.

The Display is sufficient for my uses, and the Thunderbolt is a killer.
I just connect my TV using a HDMI cable and have huge screen.

Speed is sufficient for what I do and it has not been bottle neck so far, and the 4 Gig RAM seem to do the work.

Since my laptops last about 3 Years, I do not mind not been able to do upgrades.

The Mavericks takes 5.3 Gig, so with all the Media stuff I recommend the 256 Gig SSD.

My MBA is tough (so far taken anything I trow at it), but have not drooped it to find out. The fans are very quiet.