Refreshed MacBook Pro includes a Retina Display, 10 hour battery life and Intel Haswell power.

Phenomenal battery; Mavericks OS X; Retina Display; Reasonable starting price

No discrete graphics option; Hardware not user upgradeable

"...all synchronise on all my Apple devices via iCloud) and I also liked the fact that it came with iMovie and Garage Band. I also like the new operating system Mavericks, especially its inclusion of Maps and iBooks and Finder Tabs (makes moving files from one folder to another so much easier,...

Ultra portable; more functions than Windows; syncs with other Apple devices

Faulty USB; no single screenshot key; Mavericks caused a couple of problems

Honestly, the display on the 13.3" MacBook Pro is gorgeous. I can see where a photographer might enjoy the Retina Display, and for me, the 1280x800 resolution of the screen on this laptop is perfect. The display is bright, very bright, sharp and has excellent viewing from side to side.

Lightweight; portable; clear display; fast wake up/sleep

Non-upgradeable RAM

Apple's new 13-inch MacBook with a Retina display effectively crosses the divide between Air and Pro, but at a premium cost.

Thinner and lighter than the other 13-inch Pro; Near-comprehensive selection of ports; Great I/O performance

Thicker than 15-inch Retina Pro; No discrete graphics; Price

The 13in Apple MacBook has gone Pro, with more memory, beefier processors and an embedded battery that outlasts similar-sized notebooks we've tested. We would prefer an option for a more powerful graphics card though.

Fantastic build quality and design; extremely long battery life; multi-touch trackpad; beefy processor and RAM options

RAM upgrades are expensive through Apple; no anti-glare display coating option; battery can't be removed

There's certainly a lot to like about this MacBook and although it has a smaller screen, it still looks great thanks to the retina display technology. It comes with a 2.9GHz Intel i5 processor standard, which you can upgrade to a 3.1GHz i7 model for better performance, but both are dual-core CPUs.

T he new 13in MacBook Pro looks identical to last year's model, down to the last millimetre. But looks can be deceiving: this updated laptop quietly debuts Apple's brand-new Force Touch trackpad.

The MacBook Pro 13 with Retina Display is an excellent notebook. Compared to the predecessor it is now thinner and lighter with better performance and longer battery runtimes. Case, input devices, emissions and the screen are still the benchmark in many respects.

Very quiet; Long battery runtimes; Excellent unibody chassis; High-resolution IPS display with excellent OS support; Great input devices; Apple sets the benchmark in its class once again

Virtually no upgradeability; Difficult to maintain and to repair because of pentalobe screws; Glossy display; Only 12 months warranty and expensive upgrade to three years; A matte display - at least as an option

The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2013) uses Intel's Haswell-based Core i5 processor to give power users a system that can last almost 12 hours under continuous use, weighs just over three pounds, and still process graphics and scientific tasks quickly.

Brilliant Retina display; Over 11 hours of battery life; Comes with iLife and iWork software suites; Two Thunderbolt 2 ports; HDMI.

Glossy screen; Ethernet requires adapter; Only upgradeable at time of order

Still, let it be said: We're jealous of anyone who buys either of the Retina-equipped MacBook Pro models. These prime MacBooks simply exude quality, craftsmanship, and concern for the user, from the bundled software to the feel of the lid latch and hinges.

Stunning super-high-res screen; First-class construction and software experience; Great battery life

Expensive; especially compared to 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro; Integrated graphics