13-inch MacBook Pro

Bottom Line

The 13-inch MacBook Pro feels like a blast from the past. It lacks the speed and sinuous silhouette of lighter laptops, and value could be better. But some users will appreciate its optical drive, generous storage and wide array of ports.

Performance

A decent everyday performer with a disappointing display. With a 2.5 GHz dual-core Ivy Bridge i5 processor and 4 GB of RAM, the 13-inch MacBook Pro can easily handle everyday computing. While the 500 GB hard drive in the base configuration provides plenty of storage, it can't compete for speed with the blazing flash storage of the snappy 13-inch MacBook Air (*$1,200 and up). Power-hungry users who feel a need for speed can look to step-up configurations (*Est. $1,499 and up), which feature an i7 processor; you can also optionally replace the hard drive with flash storage.

Critics find the display a bigger disappointment. The Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A (*Est. $1,100 and up), the HP Envy 14 Spectre (*Est. $1,000 and up) and the MacBook Air each have better resolution, while the gorgeous 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display (*Est. $1,700 and up) blows them all away. Yet some reviewers say this laptop's accurate colors, crisp images and excellent viewing angle may satisfy many users. Most mainstream games should be no problem if played at lower graphics settings.

Ergonomics

Slightly heavy but still comfortable. At 4.5 pounds, the 13-inch MacBook Pro is a bit heftier than most ultraportable laptops. Some of its comparative bulk is due to the 500 MB of storage and an optical drive that, like the built-in Ethernet and Firewire ports, are no longer included in Apple's other small laptops. If you depend on all or any of these classic features, you may not mind toting a bit of extra weight. Two very modern 3.0 USB ports, a speedy Thunderbolt port, an SD card reader, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 round out a substantial package of ports and connections.

Design

Time-tested design. The aluminum unibody, backlit keyboard and smooth glass trackpad look and feel as polished as ever. The build quality remains top-notch. Despite those positives, a few experts express a wish for a change-up that would get their attention. They all agree that upgrades and repairs are fairly easy since the 13-inch MacBook Pro has fully swappable components.

Support & Reliability

You're in good hands. Apple has a stellar reputation for customer satisfaction. Its products are superbly engineered. The company provides 90 days of 24/7 support over the phone. That's much less than the industry norm. But if problems occur, you can get free personal technical assistance at the Genius Bar of any Apple Store. A standard one-year warranty covers parts and labor.

An optional AppleCare plan will extend the phone support and warranty to three years. Though some experts say the plan is pricey, you may find it worth the investment. The full cost of AppleCare is less than a single flat-rate repair after the warranty expires.

Value

The package keeps the 13-inch MacBook Pro in the game. Experts say there are plenty of alternatives that deliver more bounce for the buck. But users who require some old-school features and ample connectivity will find value in this laptop.