The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch, Retina Display (2014) ($1,299, as tested) is the newest base model in the line, with a 2,560-by-1,600-resolution screen, speedy Intel processor, and excellent connectivity, particularly with its pair of 20Gbps Thunderbolt 2 ports. It lasted more than 13 hours on our battery rundown test while topping our performance benchmark tests. These improvements help the latest 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro replace the previous version as our Editors' Choice for high-end ultraportable laptops.

Design and Features Design-wise, if you've seen one 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display( at Amazon)(Opens in a new window), you've seen them all. This year's iteration has the same, familiar all-aluminum exterior and glossy glass covering the 13.3-inch In-Plane Switching (IPS) screen. It still measures 0.71 by 12.35 by 8.62 inches (HWD) and weighs 3.38 pounds.

The high-contrast keys are visible in both bright light and in a totally darkened room, thanks to efficient backlighting. The keyboard feel is very good, with convex keys and solid springs to help ensure that any typos are your own fault. The glass-covered trackpad supports one-, two- and three-finger multitouch gestures, and you can connect most Bluetooth keyboards, mice, and external trackpads to the system in seconds.