Apple announces upgrades, lower prices for MacBook Air, Pro

Dubai - Back-to-school promotion starts today

Students in the UAE are only just beginning to enjoy their summer break, but this early Apple is already bringing the back-to-school spirit in its MacBooks, especially for those in the college level.
The tech giant on Tuesday announced a number of updates and - more importantly - pocket-friendlier prices for its MacBook Air notebook. The company said that True Tone has been added to the device's Retina display for a more natural viewing experience, and prices have been lowered to Dh4,699.
For students, it's better: Apple slashed the tag further to Dh4,417.35.
Meanwhile, the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro, priced at Dh5,539, has been updated with the latest 8th-generation quad-core processors, making it twice powerful. It also now features the Touch Bar navigation panel, Touch ID, True Tone Retina display and the Apple T2 Security Chip.
College students can scoop up a unit for only Dh5,206.95 for college students.
The MacBook Air and MacBook Pro are also part of Apple's back-to-school promotion - starting today - which includes a pair of Beats Studio 3 Wireless headphones with every purchase of a qualifying Mac notebook or iMac. 
Apple says Mac notebooks have never been more popular in higher education, with data from Student Monitor showing that nearly 60 per cent of US college notebook buyers own a Mac.
"College students love the Mac - it's the notebook they rely on from the dorm room to the classroom, and the No.1 choice among higher education students," said Tom Boger, Apple's senior director of Mac product marketing.
"With a lower Dh4,417.35 student price for the MacBook Air and the updated 13-inch MacBook Pro with faster performance, Touch Bar and Touch ID at Dh5,206.95 for students, there's never been a better time to bring a Mac to college."
The MacBook Air features a thin and light design in beautiful finishes, immersive wide stereo sound and all-day battery life. Its Retina display, now featuring True Tone, automatically adjusts the colour temperature of the display for a more comfortable viewing experience.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro packs powerful processors, super-fast SSDs, all-day battery life and the best Mac notebook display ever.
Apple's back-to-school promotion is available to higher education students, their parents, faculty, staff and home-school teachers through the Apple Education Store. Education discounts are also being offered on qualifying Mac, iPad, AppleCare, select accessories and services.
- alvin@khaleejtimes.com