Macbook Pro Retina line gets major refresh

(UPI) -- Tuesday's Apple event featured a major upgrade to its line of notebooks, with improvements in processing power and battery life.

While somewhat overshadowed by the reveal of the new iPad Air and the impressive Mac Pro, the Macbook Pro refresh provides another step forward for the line.

Both the 13- and 15-inch versions of the Macbook, which already feature Retina displays, will be better able to take advantage of its screen with the new Intel Haswell processor, which improves the graphics capabilities. It can render twice the 3-D performance at an improved speed, all while boosting battery life.

Both models add Thundebolt 2 ports and boosted WiFi antennas.

The 13-inch MacBook shrinks down to 0.71 inches and is 0.11 pounds lighter than its predecessor, with a similarly shrinking starting price tag of $1299. The 15-inch price was also lowered to $1999.