New Macbook Pros get boost

Apple on Thursday announced a long-awaited update for the MacBook Pro, giving the laptops a much-needed performance bump but not any meaningful change in design. Apple has not fully changed the design of the laptops’ keyboards, which have drawn complaints from consumers who find them unreliable.

The new models — one 13-inch model and one 15-inch model, both with Apple’s Touch Bar — have new chips Apple said should dramatically increase performance. The company said in a news release that the 15-inch model is up to 70 percent faster, while the 13-inch model is twice as fast. Both have more storage than before: The 15-inch model can go up to a four-terabyte solid-state drive, while the smaller model maxes out at two terabytes.

The computers start at $1,800 for the smaller model and $2,400 for the larger version; with all the bells and whistles added, the most expensive version of the new models could cost $6,700.

Nike opens store experiment

Nike launched another of its retail-of-the-future experiments Thursday in West Hollywood, aimed to lure the digital shopper with personal services and experiences. The products are chosen based on shopping preferences of local users of a newly enhanced NikePlus app.

The shoe and apparel maker drilled into its customer base, looking for a spot in the Los Angeles area where Nike customers were loyal to the retail shoe giant and willing to voice their opinions.

Nike Live is located on Melrose Avenue and dubbed Nike by Melrose.

The store targets the customer “who is very fit and exercises often but who also cares a lot about how they look” when they are exercising, said Cathy Sparks, vice president and general manager of Nike Direct Stores.