MacBook pro

The joy of Spring just came early: Apple dropped the price of the 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro, 13-inch MacBook Air, and SSD storage upgrade, and boosted the processing power of the 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro.

The 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro with 2.5Ghz dropped $200, making it the same price as the 2.9GHz non-Retina version.

• 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro is $1,499 for 128GB of flash and 2.5GHz (originally $1,699).
• 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro is $1,699 for 256GB of flash and 2.6GHz (originally $1,999).
• This version previously had 2.5GHz, so you're saving money on a processor upgrade as well.

The MacBook Air is also getting more affordable. A 13-inch Air with 256GB of flash and 1.8GHz is now $1,399 (originally $1,499).

Upgrading your computer's storage capacity got cheaper, too. Increasing SSD storage to 512GB is now an additional $300 (originally $500) and to 768GB is $700 (originally $1,000).

The 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina didn't see a price drop, but it did get more powerful for the same price. It now comes with a 2.4GHz quad-core processor, and the high-end model now comes with a 2.7GHz quad-core processor.

Just picked up a new Apple laptop for the original price? Don't worry — Apple has a 14-day return and refund policy.

Apple unveiled the latest addition to the MacBook lineup at WWDC with the Retina Display MacBook Pro. Available now from a starting price of $2,199, the newest Mac is a tempting investment, but is it worth the hype? We lay out four reasons Apple's new notebook is worth a purchase.

• You crave HD. The Retina display notebook boasts over 5 million pixels, making the 2880x1800 resolution more high-def than, well, an HDTV. Software and apps like iPhoto, iMovie, iTunes, Aperture, and Final Cut Pro X were updated to take advantage of the Retina technology. With Apple's claim that the typeface resolution is better than a printed page, your eyes can't wait for this pixel explosion.
• You're a media junkie. As the first Apple notebook to include an HDMI cable, it removes the HDMI adapter to HDMI cable that routine Mac users are used to when wanting to view media on a TV. That's one less $40 accessory you'll need.
• Size does matter. Find yourself taking your notebook everywhere? At 0.71 inches thick, the Retina MacBook Pro is nearly as thin as the MacBook Air and weighs just under 4.5 pounds, making it that much less of a burden when toting it around in a shoulder bag all day. Plus, it still has that plush 15.4-inch screen size.
• You multitask all day. If you're constantly cursing the motherboard gods when your system slows down on a busy computing day, then the MacBook's improved memory might just be the answer to your hardware prayers. With up to 768GB flash storage, the notebook should handle your multiple tabs, documents, open email inbox, and streaming music like a, ahem, Pro.

Are you planning to buy the Retina Display MacBook Pro? If you're on the fence, read our reasons to skip Apple's new product.

Whenever a new Apple product is announced, you can bet we're eager to get the latest and greatest the tech innovator has to offer. But is the new Retina Display MacBook Pro worth shelling out over $2,000 when your current laptop works just fine (or well enough)? We looked at the reasoning for purchasing the notebook, but let's look at the reasoning for passing on Apple's "most beautiful computer ever." Keep reading for four reasons to skip the Retina MacBook Pro.

• You're just fine with 1280 resolution, thank you very much. Not buying the hype over the Retina display? It sure does look pretty, but the 1280x800 and 1440x900 resolution of the non-Retina MacBook Pros will still have you watching TV shows in astounding clarity and editing photos worthy of their place on the wall of your home's art gallery.
• You live outside the cloud. Seems like Apple didn't mention anything about optical drive writing speeds and rewritable DVD capabilities, that's because this notebook bids adieu to the standard optical drive. Following suit with the MacBook Air specs, the top-of-the-line Pro is all about the Flash storage and cloud. If you still love watching DVDs at home or sharing files via disc, then the Pro is not for you, as Apple continues the push toward app-based entertainment.
• You updated your computer within the last two years. It's hard to know when is the right time to make a big tech update like a computer purchase. However, if you bought any recent generation MacBook Pro, then you'll be just fine biding your time and saving some dough. After all, the software updates of OS X Mountain Lion will be available in July for a scant $20.
• You're on a budget. An Apple computer has always been a bigger purchase money-wise than its PC competitors, and the $2,199 and $2,799 pricing of the MacBook Pro isn't the most budget-friendly option. If HD and megamemory powers aren't high on your list of needs, then this is one unveil you can skip.

Still on the fence? Check out our reasons to purchase the Retina MacBook Pro.