Apple launches its 2012 MacBooks

MacBook Air. As expected, Apple announced new versions of its second generation MacBook Air, which move from the Intel Sandy Bridge platform to the newer and faster Ivy Bridge platform. This also brings USB 3.0 to the MacBook Air.

What is refreshing is that the new MacBook Air's are cheaper than last years models. The entry level 11.6-inch MacBook Air is 2K cheaper than last years model. The upgraded version with a 128 GB SSD is 7K cheaper than last years model.

The new 13-inch MacBook Air's are also priced lower than last year models. The entry level 13-inch MacBook Air being 8K cheaper than last years model, and the version with the 256 GB drive being 7K cheaper.

13-inch MacBook Pro. Apple now also upgraded its 13-inch MacBook Pro by moving it over to the Ivy Bridge platform.

This one is a little more disappointing, since we were expecting a lighter chassis. The MacBook Pro at 4.5 pounds was already feeling heavy, with its main competitor, the Sony Vaio S at 3.8 pounds. With all the Ultrabook being launched, 4.5 pounds does not feel all the portable anymore.

Still if you need an Ethernet ports or optical drive, this in the one for you. 

But thankfully, the new 13-inch MacBook Pro also gets a cut in price, being 4K cheaper than last years models.

New 15-inch MacBook Pro. We never cover Apple's 15-inch MacBook's because they go above the 5 pounds, and we do not cover laptops the weight over 5 pound and Apple has updated last years 15-inch MacBook Pro.

But this year, Apple has two 15-inch MacBook Pro, the upgraded version of last years model, and a new 15-inch MacBook Pro, which really should have been called the 15-inch MacBook Air. It is 0.71 inches thin, and weighs in at 4.4 pounds, a bit less than 13-inch MacBook Pro.

This new 15-inch MacBook Pro's also sport 2880 x 1800 "retina" display. The new display is really just a 220 pixels per inch (ppi) display and does not meet the 300 ppi standard Apple touted as a "retina" display, but really, you really do not need a 300 ppi display.

While called Pro, this really is more an air as it ditches the Ethernet Port and the optical drive.

The new MacBook Air and the 13-inch MacBook Pro are faster and cheaper than last years model, and the new 15-inch MacBook Pro is refreshing with its new light chassis, though it is on the rather expensive side.