Apple updates MacBook Air and Pro and drops price

Apple unveils a new MacBook Air during an Apple launch event at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on October 30, 2018 in New York City (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

Apple has updated the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro – and dropped the prices.

The company has brought new features to both computers as part of its changes for the back-to-school season. As well as reducing the prices, it will offer extra discounts to students.

The MacBook Air has been updated to bring True Tone technology to its existing retina display, allowing it to adapt to the light around it and make the screen appear more natural. It also had its price dropped to £1,099, and can be bought more cheaply by university students.

It also updated the cheapest version of the MacBook Pro, which is 13-inches. That computer has traditionally been distinct from the other MacBook Pro models for not having the Touch Bar display that sits at the top of the keyboard – but it now has that technology, as well as Touch ID, a True Tone display of its own, Apple's newest security chip and the option to get processors that make the computer more than twice as fast as it was before.

Neither of the updates made any references to Apple's widely criticised keyboard, which is said to be changing with future computers. It is likely that the new models have the controversial butterfly keyboard, though previous updates have made minor updates to try and fix some of users' problems with its keys.

Apple had long been rumoured to be working on a new version of that entry-level Pro computer. What appeared to be a new version of it appeared in official US filings just days ago – before being swiftly deleted, leading only to more rumours that it could be unveiled soon.

The company has also been said to be working on an entirely new, 16-inch computer with an fresh design. But that will likely be shown off at its own event, and could be launched alongside the iPhone 11 later this year.

Apple made the changes at the same time as pushing its back-to-school promotion, which gives students a pair of Beats wireless headphones if they buy a Mac laptop or iMac.

The new computers are available now through Apple's website, and will be coming to Apple Stores and other retailers later this week.