It's technically NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) on newer Macs. SMC is your System Management Controller.

Basically, think of it as reloading your BIOS on a PC.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379

On the same boat as you.... interwebs rumored it won't come with a dedicated GPU which scares me the most.

The intel 5000HD chip is pretty impressive. I'm also worried about the size of the ssd. If it stays at 128GB and not being upgradable then I might just get the air and pay for more storage space. If u want the MacBook for some gaming, I think the 15 inch would be a much better option
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^^
I got the 15 inch, its awesome for gaming! The speakers are top mounted as well so it has relatively good native sound for a laptop. Good as in louder.

Went for the 15in Retina Macbook pro with the 512gb ssd. Good deal for it so whatever.

How much did you pay for it? 15 inch is too big for me. I don't mind a weaker graphic card since the only game I might play is dota 2. Just worried about space lol
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If you're worried about space and don't want to spend the extra $$$ on the 256 GB SSD, then pick up a 128GB SDHC card and keep it plugged in. I think that is the best alternative solution. Small, subtle and easy storage solution.

That's pretty genius lol.
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$2770.82 + $100 app card

I play DotA too and I rather have the stronger card. Will be encoding video also.

You can play DOTA2 on about anything.. lol

I played it on my 2012 MBA and got like 50-60 frames.

It's definitely much different than WindowsOS lol.
Kept trying to use Ctrl+ T to open new windows. But it's a nice change. Lighter, faster, better quality screen vs my old laptop.

I've got a question actually. Is there a version of Windows Office/Word that Apple has? I tend to write my papers on word and send to sfu email to print at school.

Any suggestions on other widgets/apps to use?

^^^ I use Open Office, which is free, you just can't do macros. Other than that, you can buy Pages from the App Store - I think it's $14.99(?).

Remember education discounts, people. If you don't go to school, you know someone that does and it's wicked easy to get the discount so don't be stupid and pay full price.

I love my 15" rMBP. Best laptop I've ever used by a mile.

Office is available for mac.

I prefer Pages over Word.

Pages is far easier to use and could generate really high quality documents.

Apple will be launching Pages on iCloud soon, its by far the best browser word processor. But I think the next update of iWork will be free. either way, iWork is a lot cheaper than microsoft office.

Keep in mind that this solution limits the speed capabilities of the laptop itself so it won't be good if you need it transferred fast.

I stick a 64gb one in my MBA to accompany the little 128gb SSD bugger. Good for media downloads!

I've bounced between word processing apps over the last few years and I have settled with Evernote. It is by far the best word processing app for note taking that I've used. I did miss the organizational ability of having a "Notebook style" note taking as was available in Office for PC.

Ordered a MBA 13" i7/8gb/128, should be here next week. I'm pretty excited but it'll be my first time on a mac, any tips or useful shortcuts?

Learn all of the multi-touch gestures :)

Played around with it a fair bit inside the apple store. Honestly, that's what won me over from the Windows 8 ultrabooks

I'm looking to buy the 15'MBP. Any idea when the new one with the haswelll chip comes out? I don't want to pay for the 15' rMBP, so I'd rather wait for the new MBP with the chip.
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I use gestures all the time, they've become such a habit that I mistakenly try to do it on windows computers as well at times. lol.

I love that every application, or instance of an application has a full screen option, and you can swipe through them like pages of a book.

I was reading on forums and most seem to agree a refresh with the haswell chip should be out in september

Just got my mba today, so far i've been impressed with the build, ease of use and especially all the gestures. Certainly a nice upgrade from my previous windows laptop

I want to buy a sleeve for my MBA. Thinking of just getting one from the night market, but does anyone have any recos for one?