Apple's latest 2013 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display sports a slimmer and thinner profile compared to the previous generation. Despite the number of competitions that have sprung, Apple's MacBook Pro line remains one of the best ultrabooks around. For shoppers looking for an excellent laptop choice these holidays, there are several reasons why the MacBook Pro makes the cut.

Variety of Configurations

One of the best selling points of the 2013 MacBook Pro Retina is the number of configurations to choose from. The configurations cater to a number of needs. The product line can be considered flexible especially with performance and memory. The following are the options for configurations:

  • Base model features a 2.4 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5-4258U Haswell processor with 3 MB of shared L3 cache
  • Update the base model to a 2.6 GHz Core i5-4288U
  • The third upgrade features 2.8 GHz dual-core Intel Core i7-4558U with 4 MB of shared L3 cache

All options come with integrated Intel Iris 5100 Graphics with DDR3L SDRAM shared with the primary memory. Whereas the previous year came with a default 8 GB RAM with no upgrades, the latest systems offer configurations from 4 to 16 GB.

All models pack on OS X Mavericks and ships with free iWork and iLife suites.

More Portable than Ever

Apple tweaked the design of their MacBook Pro line, making it more portable than ever. The new design is thinner and lighter. Compared to the previous model, the 2013 MacBook Pro line only measures 0.71-inch thick and weighs 3.46 lbs. The previous generation is 0.75-inch thick and 3.57 lbs.

The newest Retina MacBooks share a similar exterior to the previous generation. The device also features two Thunderbolt 2 inputs, MagSafe 2 charging port, 3.5-mm headphone jack, USB 3.0 port and two microphone slots. On the right, the laptop sports an HDMI out, another USB 3.0 port and a full-size SD card slot.

Stunning Display

Apple's Retina products have made a name on the market. The 13-inch model offers 2,560 x 1,600 pixels. While it may not be the only product anymore to sport such display - Acer Aspire S7 and Toshiba Kirabook offer similar resolutions - still it remains to have a stunning screen. People can expect crisp lines, clear text and sharp images. The resolution remains impressive along with the device's other specs. The newest MacBooks also come with the similar island-style backlit keys from previous generations. Additionally, Apple included their industry-leading glass trackpad.

Haswell and Energy Efficiency

Haswell has been making waves extending battery lives of ultrabooks around. The same goes for the 2013 Macbook Pro with Retina. According to Apple, the device can last up to 9 hours with wireless web surfing, up to 9 hours with iTunes movie playback and up to 30 days standby time. People can enjoy a full day's worth of work without worrying about charging or the device dying. While Apple promises up to 9 hours of battery life, Apple Insider notes it can actually last longer than that. Their stress test revealed that the MacBook Pro can last more than 4 hours more before requesting for plug in.