Base model is fine, although using those applications I'd increase the ram, possibly the disk drive too, depending on here you plan on storing all the data. RAM isn't upgradeable on the retinas, so it's better to invest early. What I bought last year for your reference -15" MacBook Pro retina -16GB RAM -256GB storage -2.7ghz core i7 Also no mic/line in on the retina, so you'll want a USB soundcard. Also USB Ethernet adapter if you're not going to be using wifi. Also a USB hub as 2 ports doesn't cut it.