Apple MacBook pro 13in

The last of the non- Retina MacBooks is still available for users who want an affordable laptop with a decent-sized hard disk and a DVD burner. It may look little dated, but with a seven-hour battery and Core i5 processor, it’s no slouch.

Features

The built-in ‘SuperDrive' DVD burner will attract some users (Air and Retina models need a $107.48 external version), and the Ethernet port may be useful. There’s Firewire 800, too although that’s largely rendered moot by USB 3. Upgradability is another advantage over Retina. This model is old enough to be common in the used and refurb market, so paying Apple a grand isn’t the only way to get it.

Macbook Pro 13in

Pros and cons

At $1,661.94, the MacBook Pro doesn’t look great against the slimmer, lighter, faster Retina 13in, which costs only $166.36 more. But storage is its ace in the hole. While both machines have 4GB of RAM. The MacBook Pros can be upgraded later. The entry-level Retina is stuck with it forever - and it has just 128GB of permanent storage in the form of an SSD, again non-upgradable, while the MacBook Pros clunky old hard disk offers 512GB.

That’s upgradable to 1T B at the time of ordering or, if you’re handy with a screw- driver, whenever you feel like it. Swapping the hard drive for a 128GB SSD, should you prefer it, adds $266.18 if you order it from Apple with your MacBook Pro, or less than that for twice the capacity if you can do it yourself.

Performance

This MacBook has basically the same spec as the entry-level Mac mini, including the ageing Intel HD 4000 graphics, which will struggle with intensive graphical tasks and recent games. But its Core i5 processor still makes it a mid-range rather than merely basic laptop.

Keypad

The mechanical hard disk implies sluggish performance all round, but you’re trading this for capacity; having room for all your music, photos, videos and other files in the machine you carry with you may count for more than speed. The ability to play and burn CDs and DVDs could be another incentive.

Dimensions

At 325 x 22.7 x 241cm and 2.06kg, the 13in MacBook Pro is one-third thicker and heavier than the Retina equivalent

Input/ output

The FaceTime HD camera in the centre of the top bezel is accompanied by a single omnidirectional microphone. Below the backlit keyboard is Apple’ 5 glass multi-touch trackpad. One external monitor can be driven at up to 2560 x 1600 at the same time as the MacBook’s own screen. As with the Retina models, stereo speakers are built in

MacBook Pro 13in seen from the left side

Connections

Like the Mac mini, the MacBook Pro’s age brings the advantage that it retains the FireWire 800 port discontinued on other models. It also has a dedicated Gigabit Ethernet socket, unlike the Retina MacBooks, which require an adaptor. It has just one Thunderbolt port, and both of the USB 3 ports are on the left, which can be annoying if you want to plug in a mouse. Bluetooth 4.0 is supported, but wifi is 802.11n, not the faster ac, as with later Macs

Upgrading Unlike the Retina models, the 13in MacBook Pro can be opened up to fit more RAM or upgrade the storage; even ambitious projects like swapping the hard disk and optical drive for an SSD and hard disk combo are possible, though not for the faint-hearted.

Memory upgrades are fiddler than with a 27in iMac, Mac mini or Pro, but while Apple offers a maximum of 8GB, it's widely reported that this model can take 166 B, and kits are sold by memory vendors for this purpose at around $207.95. Apple charges $133.09 to add an extra 4GB.