Here's our breakdown of everything you need to know about the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch.
Prices: The 128 GB model is priced at $1299, the 256 GB model at $1499 and the 512 GB model at $1799.
Deals: Save $100 on the MacBook Pro Retina by clicking here.
Pros: At 2560x1600 pixels, the MacBook Pro 13 inch has a phenomenally high resolution screen with Retina display. This is close to the resolution of the MacBook Pro 15 inch which stands at 2880x1800. It has two Thunderbolt or DisplayPort outputs along with HDMI. At 12.4 inches by 8.6 inches, the MacBook Pro has a sleek design and is lightweight. As with all Apple devices, the battery life is good and is near the best in the 13-inch laptop category. Performance is fast and there are no lags during multitasking. The industry standard backlit keyboard and trackpad remain the easiest to use. Although there is competition, the keyboard has not been surpassed by any other laptop yet.
Cons: The RAM can be upgraded to 16 GB RAM at the time of purchase only. Although Apple says this screen has lesser glare than its previous MacBooks, the top layer is still found to reflect quite some light. Starting at $1699, it comes at an expensive price. Add to it some bumped up storage and some other add-ons, and it's the same price as the 15-inch Retina Pro. With Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor, this device will not suffice as a primary gaming laptop.
Specs: The MacBook Pro 13 inch sports a beautiful 13.3 inch, 2560x1600 pixels HD screen with Retina display. This produces extremely crisp and detailed images and text. Ethernet, the optical drive, and FireWire have been replaced with two Thunderbolt ports (the second Thunderbolt output can also be used as DisplayPort) along with HDMI, just as on the 15-inch Retina Pro. It has Intel Core i5 2.5 GHz dual-core processor and 8 GB RAM (provided memory is soldered). It has Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor. The camera is 720p FaceTime HD and it has stereo speakers.
Talking Points: Windows ultrabooks have lately been providing tough competition for Apple with Windows 8 and Windows RT. The otherwise forgotten MacBook Pro 13 now comes with a renewed combination of power and portability, which makes it a more compelling choice.
When it comes to service, Apple has excellent service and support options. They have a large number of stores and this highly facilitates in-person service. Also, the Apple website is easy to navigate and use. This easy support makes Apple devices even more attractive.
Conclusion: The MacBook Pro 13 inch comes with a set of outstanding features and is at the very top in its category. Nevertheless, all these features come at very steep a price and make you wonder if you shouldn't opt for the 15-inch Retina Pro, which costs almost the same when you count in the additional storage and other add-ons, or the more affordable MacBook Air.
