Laptop recommendation, Macbook Pro (Retina) or ...?

[soulesschild]

Basic Reqs:

4GB or more of ram
dedicated GPU if possible
13" > screen size
"lightweight" the MBP Retina display is about as heavy as we're willing to go with


Trying to pick out a laptop for the GF going to pharmacy school next year.

Windows Store right now has a great deal of 20% off if you spend over 1k+ or more and she loved the Asus Zenbook Prime. Problem is, it's soldered 4GB of ram MAX. Which is utter bullshit on ASUS's part.

So the other options are either the MBP (Retina) with 8GB+ of ram or another ultrabook that is similar in design/feel to the Zenbook Prime but with at least 8GB of ram.

Any thoughts or is the MBP really the only one that can satisfy the need for an thin, powerful laptop?

Note, yes the pharmacy school says 4GB of ram recommended and yes, there's no reason that she will need more than 4, but I know if she's going to run any kind of medical analyzing software or statistical software, having more than 4GB is going to help a lot.

 

[batteriesnotincluded]

You realize the MBPR is soldered as well, right?

 

[rudy]

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store...rue?siteID=Es5Ekr9eEBk-Pg2MAwwEbeeMzQWjUOQIqA

haters gonna hate

 

[Kueller]

Basic Reqs:
Windows Store right now has a great deal of 20% off if you spend over 1k+ or more and she loved the Asus Zenbook Prime. Problem is, it's soldered 4GB of ram MAX. Which is utter bullshit on ASUS's part.

UX32VD-DB71 Zenbook? Upgradeable RAM and HDD.

 

[soulesschild]

You realize the MBPR is soldered as well, right?

Yes but at least it come with an 8GB option.

@kueller,

the UX31A

I wasn't aware there was another Zenbook Prime?

 

[Kueller]

http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Zenbook-UX32VD-DB71-13-3-Inch-Ultrabook/dp/B00863L2MS