Apple MacBook Retina models get faster CPUs, cost you less

Apple has reduced the price of its flagship MacBook Pro with Retina display, making the high-resolution laptops slightly more affordable while introducing newer, faster processors for extra performance.

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Announced today, the 13in MacBook Pro Retina has dropped to £1,249 for the base model with 128GB of flash memory. The more expensive model has received a speed bump up to 2.6GHz in the shape of a new Intel processor, and will cost £1,449 for 256GB of solid state storage.

This price drop puts the entry-level Retina model in direct competition with the regular 13in MacBook Pro - the higher resolution laptop might have a slower CPU, but it matches the MacBook for memory and has a solid state disk instead of a slower mechanical hard disk. Intel's integrated graphics admittedly struggle to run games at the native 2,560x1,600 resolution, and in Apple's scaled mode you get less physical desktop space, but the Retina model has a clear advantage when it comes to editing photos.

The larger 15in MacBook Pro Retina has also received an upgrade, gaining a faster 2.4GHz quad-core processor in the entry-level model for £1,799 and a 2.7GHz quad-core chip in the top-end model, which now comes with 16GB of RAM for £2,299.

Finally, The ultra-thin MacBook Air 13in was also reduced today, meaning Apple fans can now pick one up with 256GB of flash memory for £1,199.

The new prices went into effect at lunchtime, with the Apple store already updated for anyone eager to spend their cash.