Which is better macbook pro or. What is the difference between a MacBook and a regular laptop

In general terms, a laptop can be described as a portable computer with its own monitor and keyboard, capable of operating for a while without an external power source. There are two main classifications of these devices, dividing them by screen diagonal and performance. In this case, a separate category includes laptop computers manufactured by Apple. Let's see what a MacBook is and how a PC with an apple on the lid differs from laptops from other manufacturers.

Absolutely all modern MacBook models come in an aluminum case, manufactured using the Unibody technology. Until recently, color design was not carried out. All models had a natural color similar to silver. Since 2015, the hulls have been colored. The 12-inch model received the maximum colors.

The “Pro” version, as a more “serious” version, is available in the traditional silver shade and the “Space Gray” color scheme. The Air has only received hardware upgrades in recent years and is the only one that hasn't received a colored case.

The lineup

In 2018, the Apple notebook lineup includes the following models:

Screen diagonal 13.3 inches. Since its release in 2008, Air has long been positioned as the thinnest and lightest laptop. Has a characteristic, easily recognizable body, sloping towards the trackpad. The thickness in this place is only 0.3 mm.

Of all the MacBooks, it is the only one that does not have a high-fidelity Retina display. The standard screen resolution is 1440x900 pixels. With fully charged batteries, it can work for 12 hours, eliminating the need to carry a power adapter.

Has a high definition screen with a diagonal of 12 inches and a standard resolution of 2304x1440 pixels. Equipped with a single universal port USB Type C, which is used to charge and connect peripheral devices.

The first Apple laptop to have the system passive cooling without fans. It is inferior in size to "Aypad Pro" and is actually slightly smaller than a standard sheet of paper. The device weighs 920 grams, while it is equipped with an Intel processor and runs on a full-fledged, not a mobile OS. A full charge of the battery lasts for 10 hours of active use.

As the name suggests, this is the most advanced, professional model. Available with 13 and 15 inch screens. In older versions, instead of function keys the Touch Bar is installed. Depending on the application used, it displays buttons for quick access to its functions.

The technical solution is very original and looks much better than Microsoft's finger control technology. Not all users like to work with the screen smeared with prints. The younger 13-inch model is equipped with a traditional set of physical buttons.

All models get a high quality Retina display. For comparison, here are the numbers: the 15-inch model has a standard resolution of 2880x1800, and a high-definition television standard of 1920x1080. The professional series is additionally equipped with a discrete graphics card with its own memory up to 4 GB. Integrated Intel HD Graphics is used for everyday tasks. Switching video modes occurs automatically when working with complex graphics.

General characteristics

In all MacBooks as hard disk solid state sSD drives... The speed of reading / writing information on them surpasses the fastest HDD with a frequency of 7200 rpm by 12 times. In the minimum configuration, the size of the drive is 128, and in the maximum - 512 GB.

By default, all MacBooks get 8GB random access memory... The 15-inch "Pro" comes with 16 GB. Apple ditched the Ethernet connector entirely a few years ago. You can connect your MacBook to a wired network, but using a special adapter. The company relied on high mobility and using wifi... As a result, any Mac easily connects to wireless networks, including high-speed ones operating at 5 GHz.

All versions are equipped with a camera built into the cover for video communication. In addition to laptops, Apple's product line includes Aimak monoblocks, Mac mini and Mac Pro workstations. Decorating the top of the model tree is the iMac Pro, the most powerful computer ever developed in Cupertino.

operating system

Well-chosen hardware, housed in a perfect case, complemented by operating systemallowing full use of its power. Like mobile devices "Apple" laptops run on their own OS developed by Apple. A new version macOS is released annually and has its own codename in addition to the number. The latter is called High Sierra.

Being UNIX-like macOS system is extremely stable. It is not capable of freezing or slowing down at the right moment like Windows. In addition, there are practically no viruses under macOS. For all the time, no more than a few thousand of them have been recorded, while in Windows their number has long exceeded 100,000.

The point here is not only the percentage of operating systems, but also their architecture. You can infect a poppy with a virus only by manually installing it. The system is designed so that to make any major changes, it will ask for the administrator password.

The basic MacBook software allows the user to get started right away. The standard package includes office suite, mail client, Software for working with video and sound.

Additional software available in the store apps App Store. If desired, the user can allow installation from other sources by entering a password to remove security restrictions. The choice of software is very wide. Almost all programs that you have worked with before have a version for Mac or its equally functional counterpart.

For a user accustomed to windows interface, on macOS you will have to change the way you interact with windows. Their control is located not in the right, but in the upper left corner. The functionality of the buttons will also differ. The system supports a multi-workspace mode. You can create multiple virtual desktops by placing applications on them in the desired order and switching between them as needed. To a similar microsoft system only came to Windows 10.

To top it off, instead of the usual taskbar, MacBooks use the Dock. Traditionally, it is located at the bottom of the screen. Any installed application fixed in it for quick access.

The full potential of macOS is revealed when a user uses multiple Apple devices. Any application that has a mobile analogue allows you to start work on the iPad and continue it on the MacBook using the Continuity feature. By customizing the system for yourself, from the MacBook you can answer phone calls or SMS without interrupting the current tasks. High Sierra supports copying data between devices using bluetooth communication channel.

Once you select a picture on your iPhone, you can immediately transfer it to your laptop and insert it into your presentation or text editor. Apple Watch in such a bundle allows the owner not to enter an access password. The MacBook “recognizes” its owner by independently establishing a connection with the smart watch.

Windows support

Apple laptops work well with Windows OS. The built-in Boot Camp utility allows you to install it with a second operating system. Switching between them is done by rebooting.

Users who have to work with specific software may find this feature useful. Having installed Windows, you can choose at boot time which OS you want to use on your MacBook.

The required set of drivers is downloaded from the Apple website and is fully adapted to the hardware configuration. The amount of RAM in any Mac is enough for the eyes comfortable work in windows environment... Not all regular laptops have SSDs and 8GB of RAM.

Disk partitioning and installation is performed using Boot Camp Assistant in unattended mode. The user only needs to specify the allocated size and distribution of the desired Windows version.

Keyboard and trackpad

The Apple keyboard is slightly different from the standard one. It does not have a Win key; instead, there is a Command button with similar functionality. Alt, which is almost never used on Windows, acts as a modifier on Mac. By clicking on it, the user in almost any system menu opens extra options management.

The top row of function keys is used to control the backlighting modes of the keyboard, display, laptop multimedia capabilities, windows and workspaces.

The gesture control feature allows you to completely eliminate the use of a mouse using the trackpad. The latest modifications of "Force Touch" are capable of detecting pressing force. The function is familiar to users on mobile iOS version and is a desktop analogue of 3D Touch.

Flexible settings allow you to make control convenient, customizing it to the needs and habits of a particular user.

Choice

MacBook does not belong to cheap devices, so before buying it is worthwhile to correctly assess the tasks to be solved with its help. For work in resource-intensive applications, which is associated with three-dimensional graphic modeling, video or audio editing, the Pro model is well suited. Equipped with a significant amount of RAM and a discrete graphics card, this MacBook can easily handle the task.

The model is equipped with four USB-C ports. They differ from the standard one with a "mirrored" connector that can be connected either side. Peripheral devices such as printers or scanners are mostly equipped with older USB, so an additional adapter will be required for direct connection.

Choosing between Air and 12-inch Retina will be more difficult to make. Both laptops are compact and lightweight. Here you will also have to consider working with peripherals... Eyre has two uSB port 3 and one Thunderbolt. You can connect an SD card to it using the built-in connector. In addition, it has a traditional cooling system and a faster Core i5 processor with a clock speed of 1.8 GHz.

The compact Retina in the maximum configuration is equipped with the same CPU, but clocked at 1.3 GHz. Another criterion for choosing between them will be the quality of the display. Advice in this area will not help. Devices must be assessed visually by comparing their picture.

IN App Store a separate section is reserved for gaming applications. It contains all popular Windows games. If you plan to use your MacBook for this kind of entertainment as well, you should pay attention to the Pro series models. In game mode, the laptop will switch to a discrete graphics card. As a last resort, you can always set Windows second system and use it.

Finally

Permanent maximalism allows Apple to make its devices unique and easily recognizable in the world, setting the direction of the industry. For example, the release of the light "Air" marked the beginning of the development of ultrabooks. Taking its design as a basis, other manufacturers have developed similar products.

Thus, the company played the role of an engine, pushing the progress of laptops towards compactness and high autonomy. If you are interested in all the characteristics of the MacBook, you can check them on the official Apple website.

Video instruction

See the videos below for detailed reviews current versions MacBooks.

At the beginning / middle of 2017, the lineup of Apple laptops is represented by six devices, and if Cupertinians do not plan to reduce and replace individual products, it will soon become quite difficult to navigate in it. We will describe below how it is most convenient to do this in the realities of today.

In contact with

All current Apple laptops in 2018

General information:

The lightest and smallest Apple laptop, the main features of which are 4 colors and the presence of only one USB-C port (which is used for charging, as well as for connecting peripheral devices using adapters (sold separately)). The laptop is popular with women.

CPU:

Option 1... Intel Core m3 dual-core processor @ 1.1 GHz, Turbo Boost up to 2.2 GHz. Option 2... Intel Core m5 dual-core processor @ 1.2 GHz, Turbo Boost up to 2.7 GHz.
Option 3.Intel Core m7 dual-core 1.3GHz with Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz.

Colour: Silver, Gold, Space Gray, Rose Gold.

8 GB.

SSD drive: 256 GB or 512 GB.

GPU: Intel HD Graphics 515.

Ports: One uSB-C connector (including charging) and 3.5mm headphone output.

Weight:0.92 kg.

Price: from 102,990 rubles to 134,490 rubles, depending on the configuration.

MacBook Air

General information:

The cheapest Apple laptop. Since 2016, only a 13-inch version with a “non-Retina” display has been released. MacBook Air has the best battery life in any Apple laptop today.

The lid of the MacBook Air has a "glowing apple", unlike all new Apple laptops.

CPU:

Option 1... 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor (Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz). Option 2... Intel Core i7 dual-core processor @ 2.2 GHz (Turbo Boost up to 3.2 GHz).

Colour: Silver.

RAM amount: 8 GB.

SSD drive: 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB.

GPU: Intel HD Graphics 6000.

Ports: 1 Thunderbolt 2 port, 2 USB 2 ports, 1 SDXC card slot, MagSafe 2 for charging, and a 3.5mm headphone output.

Weight: 1.35 kg.

Price: from 76,990 rubles to 115,490 rubles, depending on the configuration.

MacBook Pro

General information:

The most productive Apple laptop. The choice of professionals (programmers, designers, photographers, editors, etc.) The laptop comes in four models: two with a 13-inch display, one with a 15-inch Retina display from 2016 and one 13-inch model from 2015.

Notebooks introduced in 2016 feature improved wide trackpads and a new butterfly keyboard. The main innovations MacBook Pro 2016 are - touchpad Touch Bar (instead of function keys F1-F12) and Touch ID fingerprint scanner. All of the above innovations are not available in other Apple laptops.

At the same time, the cheapest version of the 2016 MacBook Pro did not get Touch Bar or Touch ID.

The 2015 Macbook Pro with a 13-inch Retina display is the only current firmware with a glowing apple lid.

In addition, the new MacBook Pro lacks USB and HDMI ports.

Things to know when buying a 2016 MacBook Pro:

Macbook Pro with 13-inch Retina display (2015)

CPU:

Option 1... 2.7GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz). Option 2 Option 3. Intel Core i7 dual-core processor @ 3.1 GHz (Turbo Boost up to 3.4 GHz).

Colour: Silver.

RAM amount: 8 GB.

SSD drive: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB.

GPU: Intel Iris Graphics 6100.

Ports: 2 Thunderbolt 2 ports, 2 USB 2 ports, 1 HDMI port, SDXC card slot, MagSafe 2 for charging and 3.5mm headphone output.

Weight: 1.5 kg.

Price: from 102,990 rubles to 193,990 rubles, depending on the configuration.

Macbook Pro 13-inch Retina display w / o Touch Bar and Touch ID (2016)

CPU:

Option 1... 2.0GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz).
Option 2... 2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.4GHz).

Colour:

RAM amount: 8 GB or 16 GB.

SSD drive: 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB.

GPU: Intel Iris Graphics 540.

Ports: 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports (each port can be used for charging) and 3.5mm headphone output.

Weight: 1.37 kg.

Price: from 116,990 rubles to 193,990 rubles, depending on the configuration.

Macbook Pro with 13-inch Retina display (2016)

CPU:

Option 1... 2.9GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz).
Option 2... Intel Core i5 dual-core processor @ 3.1 GHz (Turbo Boost up to 3.5 GHz).
Option 3... 3.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz).

Colour: Space gray or silver.

RAM amount: 8 GB or 16 GB.

SSD drive: 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB.

GPU: Intel Iris Graphics 550.

Ports:Four Thunderbolt 3 ports (each port can be used for charging) and 3.5mm headphone output.

Touch Bar and Touch ID.

Weight: 1.37 kg.

Price: from 137,990 rubles to 214,990 rubles, depending on the configuration.

Macbook Pro 15-inch Retina (2016)

CPU:

Option 1... 2.6GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boot up to 3.5GHz).
Option 2... 2.7GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 Processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz).
Option 3... 2.9GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boot up to 3.8GHz).

Colour: Space gray or silver.

RAM amount: 16 GB.

SSD drive: 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, or 2 TB.

GPU (3 options): Radeon Pro 450 with 2GB of memory, Radeon Pro 455 with 2GB of memory, or Radeon Pro 460 with 4GB of memory.

Ports:Four Thunderbolt 3 ports (each port can be used for charging) and 3.5mm headphone output.

Touch Bar and Touch ID.

Weight: 1.83 kg.

Price: from 179,990 rubles to 312,990 rubles, depending on the configuration.

Apple products are rightfully considered the highest quality and most popular in the modern world. Particularly famous are the thin and compact-looking, but powerful in their parameters notebooks produced by this company. If you are reading this article, you are most likely thinking about purchasing an Apple MacBook. Here you will find the necessary recommendations to help you choose good macbookconsidering both your needs and budget options.

There are several factors to consider when choosing a Macbook.

So, what models of laptops from this company are there and how are they different? Let's sort it out in order.

The production of the modification of this laptop, which is now on sale, began in March 2015. Apple MacBook Air is the most affordable laptop from this manufacturer. There are currently two 13-inch models on the market. There was also an 11-inch model on the market initially, but it was soon discontinued. Now you can only buy it as a used version.

MacBook Air is great for travelers and people with an active lifestyle. If you do not like to sit within four walls and prefer to work with a laptop in a cafe, outdoors, in the country and so on, this lightweight and compact model will suit you best.

The laptop is powered by a 1.6GHz dual-core Core i5 processor and has 8GB of RAM. All MacBook Air models come with an integrated HD Graphics 6000 card. The manufacturer promises 12 hours of battery life while browsing the Internet and watching videos.

The main difference between the two MacBook Air models is disk space. For the cheaper model, which is factory priced at $ 999, that goes up to 128GB. At the same time, the $ 1,199 model has a 256GB drive.

The laptop has a built-in Wi-Fi module that allows you to connect to the network. And there is also Bluetooth, allowing you to connect a mouse and other wireless devices... If you want to work on this laptop in ethernet networks, you need a special uSB adapter (Apple's factory price for this adapter is $ 29). The laptop supports Thunderbolt 2 technology.

And there are also two USB 3.0 ports that can work with devices using USB 2.0. MacBook Air is capable of doing everyday routine tasks, send and receive e-mail, provide full Internet access, and work with office applications. It can be used to edit short videos and to process images from iPhones and other devices.

This option can be chosen by those users who need to do a variety of work at the computer on the road or moving from place to place. It is also the best choice for a freelance work laptop. MacBook Air is the most inexpensive laptop Apple, which makes it attractive for the price as well.

MacBook

The next model we'll look at was released in April 2016. It's an ultraportable laptop that's even lighter than the MacBook Air. It is designed for people who prefer mobility to all other tasks, including various additional features and performance. This laptop only comes in one size: 12 ". But there are a variety of colors: rose gold, space gray, gold, silver.

There are two modifications that differ in processor power. The $ 1299 model is powered by a 1.1GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor and has 256GB of storage. The more expensive $ 1,599 model has the same processor but clocked at 1.2GHz and 512GB of storage. Both models have 8GB of RAM and an integrated Intel HD Graphics 515 card.

This laptop also features a Retina display, which means it has an ultra-high resolution and is able to show sharper images than a MacBook Air, which has a standard display. Standard Resolution modern display Retina on MacBook is 2304 × 1440.

Like the previous model, the laptop is equipped with wi-Fi modules and Bluetooth, but only has one USB-C port for connecting storage devices, printers, external displays, power adapters, and more. If your devices are using an earlier uSB versionyou will need a dedicated USB-C to USB adapter which costs about $ 19. And you also need an adapter to connect to Ethernet ($ 29 at Apple factory price) - in addition to the previous adapter, since you need both to connect. Finally, if you want to connect an HDMI or VGA display, you will need another $ 49 adapter.

However, the performance of this model's Core M processor is at good level and can match the performance of the MacBook Air. Thus, the laptop can also carry out all the necessary daily tasks. This model is suitable for those users who do not need to frequently connect external devicessince it is not very convenient to carry a whole bunch of adapters with you. At the same time, the laptop is thin, light and great for people who are light on their feet.

The last model on the list is the MacBook Pro, released in October 2016. The model features an improved screen with a particularly clear and bright image. If you look at the screen from the usual distance at which the user is used to working at the computer, it becomes impossible to see individual pixels.

The notebook is designed for demanding users who pay particular attention to performance. The Pro is currently Apple's first-ever performance laptop.

There is a whole line of modifications of this laptop.

  • $ 1499 model. 13-inch screen, dual core core processor i5 2 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB storage, integrated intel card Iris Graphics 540, no touchpad.
  • $ 1,799 MacBook Pro. The screen is also 13 inches, but the processor frequency is higher - 2.9 GHz. The size of the memory and disk, as well as the card are identical to the previous model, but there is a Touch Bar - a novelty from Apple, which each user can customize by placing the functions he needs.
  • The next model is priced at $ 1999. It has the same processor frequency - 2.9 GHz, a 13-inch screen, the same amount of RAM and the same card as the previous model. The only difference is in the amount of disk space, this model has 512 GB. A touch panel is also present.
  • $ 2399 model. This laptop has a larger screen - 15 inches, and another processor - a 2.6 GHz dual-core Core i7. The amount of RAM is 16 GB, disk space is 256 GB. There is an integrated Intel HD Graphics 530 card, as well as a discrete radeon graphics Pro 450 2 GB. A touch panel is also available.
  • The $ 2,799 model is identical to the previous model, except for the following parameters: 2.7 GHz processor frequency, 512 GB disk space, Radeon Pro discrete graphics

And a few more words about the new Touch Bar - innovation and distinctive feature these laptops. It is the input device located at the top of the keyboard. The buttons on this panel and the functions they call depend on the used software... Note that the first model in the $ 1,499 MacBook Pro line does not have a touch bar, just the usual function buttons.

Overall, MacBook Pros are the most powerful laptops Apple has ever produced. This is especially true for 15-inch models with advanced graphics card performance.

Comparison of some models

The $ 1,499 MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air show interesting results in comparison. When testing macBook performance The Pro is significantly more impressive - 25 percent faster. When using professional software applications it also leads in performance. A slightly different picture is obtained when using conventional software applications - browsers and email... In this case, the MacBook Pro demonstrates only a slight performance advantage. During work, for example, in a browser or text editor, the difference is almost invisible to the average user.

For the most demanding users, the $ 1,799 MacBook Pro is best. This model is equipped with a Retina display for excellent visuals. The performance of this laptop is also good. A disk space and the two inches of diagonal that separate this model from the next in the line are not decisive and do not give a serious advantage, but the price varies significantly.

ADVICE. If you need maximum productivitythen the choice is obvious, the most powerful laptop from Apple is the $ 2,799 MacBook Pro. If routine work on a computer includes only Internet access and work in a text editor, then the MacBook Air will be enough for you. Well, if you are not chasing the most modern models, a used MacBook is also suitable for you.

New or used?

Experience shows that Apple computers have a very long lifespan due to their good quality... The performance of processors has not increased much in recent years. The main changes that are being made to the new models relate mainly to the battery life and various innovative elements such as the touch panel. Therefore, the demand for used equipment from this company is not weakening.

In general, all Apple appliances produced in recent years demonstrate an equally high quality. So you can get a used 2013 MacBook Air and get a great laptop for your day-to-day needs at a significantly reduced price point relative to the new model.

To avoid the wrong purchase, you can follow these steps to help you choose a good, workable used MacBook.


We hope this guide will help you make the right choice and purchase a laptop, new or used, that will fully meet your needs. After all, Apple technology can serve its owner for a really long time. Good luck!

The 2012 MacBook Pro served me well for more than 4 years, but it's already 2017 outside the window and the euro has dropped significantly against the ruble, so it's time to seriously think about buying a new computer, but what to choose: Apple MacBook Pro 2016 years or MacBook Air 2016 of the year?
When choosing a laptop, each user asks himself questions: compact, but weak, or sacrifice dimensions, but get higher performance. I was no exception and asked myself similar questions, after watching a dozen videos and rereading several articles, I settled on two models: Apple MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with a diagonal of 13 inches.

Both selected Apple MacBooks met the most important requirement - compactness, because not every laptop can be put into a classic bag, moreover, I was clearly not ready to carry a bag weighing more than two kilograms every day.

MacBook Air 2016 and MacBook Pro 2016 Specifications

The characteristics depend not only on the speed and ability to perform different tasksbut also whether the chosen one MacBook relevant for the next few years. Nobody wants to buy a computer that in a year will not be able to cope with the tasks, because you have to spend time selling and buying new equipment, and the spent cash no one will reimburse us.

I want to note right away that I did not consider the MacBook Pro 2016 with the Touch Bar, as I think that this is a waste of money, because we do not use the F1-F12 keys so often.

For me, before choosing a computer, the Apple MacBook Air 2016 does not differ significantly from the MacBook Pro 2016 from a technical point of view, for example, as I saw it:
1. Screen resolution MacBook Air 1440 × 900 vs. MacBook Pro 2560 × 1600. I have never used a computer with a Retina screen, so unfortunately I have nothing to compare with. Someone may say that laptops can be compared in a store, but believe me, I did it, in a store you will not see much difference.
2. CPU MacBook Air with 1600 MHz is hardly possible to fully compare with MacBook Pro with 2000 MHz, and it should be borne in mind that according to Benchmarks statistics, both laptops are practically on the same level.
3. Keyboard: classic or butterfly. I spent about two hours in the store and to be honest, the MacBook Pro keyboard annoyed me, it is noisy and small. The MacBook Air's keyboard was the same as my 2012 Pro, and pressing softly and quietly was certainly more enjoyable.
4. Large trackpad (or Touch pad) I considered an obvious disadvantage and thought that when typing, I would touch it with my palms, thereby increasing errors when "blind" working with the keyboard.

I will not lie, USB and USB-C ports are the least significant in choosing a future computer. Adapters are not expensive, and their weight does not exceed 50 grams. Moreover, if you are professionally engaged in photography or video shooting, then for this technique you have a briefcase or case, where you can always put an adapter.

The above four reasons did not give me rest, and for almost two weeks I was thinking whether it was worth overpaying almost 30,000 rubles for the 2016 MacBook Pro. After weighing all the pros and cons, I decided to buy a MacBook Pro, although I assumed that if the chosen model did not suit me, then I would easily sell it and buy a MacBook Air.
To my surprise, Apple's laptop turned out to be just the perfect machine.

Impression of the MacBook Pro 2016

After working on the Apple MacBook Pro 2016 for several hours and looking at the monitor of my five-year-old Pro 2012, I was horrified. On an old screen, I saw an unclear picture, dots (pixels) and blurry text. I can say with confidence that the Retina screen alone is already worth overpaying.

To work, I needed to install a Parallels virtual machine with Windows 7, unfortunately to work with such programs as: Microsoft Office, 1C and SAP are much more comfortable on the Windows platform. I did not experience any technical difficulties, the MacBook Pro 2016 coped with all tasks excellently.

Getting used to the keyboard is gradual, although many bloggers claim that 2 hours is enough - a lie. Of course, in a month I already feel discomfort in working with other keyboards, but fully declare superiority macBook keyboards Pro with technology "Butterfly" will not dare. In my opinion, Apple should have made the keystrokes softer, smoother.

The large trackpad is worth considering, it's great. When working on the Internet and with documents, this size is quite reasonable, it is a pleasure to work on it. Of course, I periodically pressed my palm on the trackpad and this affected the correctness of the input, so for a comfortable work I recommend disabling the "Touch to simulate a mouse click" function.

Of course, each user has his own vision of the functionality and practicality of a laptop, someone chooses the Windows platform, someone Mac OS. As they say to each his own.
By the way, I paid 85,000 rubles for the 2016 MacBook Pro without the Touch Bar, but I will tell you about choosing an Apple store and how to save money on a purchase in the next article.

Should you buy the 2016 MacBook Pro

If you are using a 2012 or older MacBook, then you will definitely be 100% pleased and impressed by upgrading to 2016. Of course, if you ask the question “Is it worth overpaying almost 30,000 rubles for the 2016 MacBook Pro”, then here you need to build on your financial capabilities. Does finance allow? then in front of the store for a brand new Apple MacBook Pro.

Should you buy a Mac on credit or by installments? Ask yourself main question, will the loan affect your life, will it be harder to pay the bills? The decision depends on the answer. Do not forget the main thing - this is just a technique, without which life does not end.

History moves in a spiral, events tend to repeat themselves at certain intervals. If we draw analogies - the current generation of MacBook Air in its current state can be compared with the same, who knows where missing, plastic white MacBooks. I think the thinnest, lightest and longest-lasting model of Apple laptops will have a similar fate. A matter of time, nothing more. But this will only happen if the ideology of the Air lineup is not revised.

If you rewind time a little back, in 2008, the first impression of seeing the MacBook Air is easily remembered - "It's fantastic!" Thickness, slightly less than two centimeters mark, weight less than one and a half kilograms, a productive solid-state drive. A laptop from an envelope - everyone remembers the contented face of the speaker Steve Jobs? The audience experienced similar emotions a couple of times - during the announcement of the Air in an updated unibody case together with an 11-inch model in 2010 and more recently, in the spring of 2013, when the world realized what to carry with them charger not necessary for a laptop, 12-14 hours of battery life is enough for most everyday tasks.

Moreover, the Haswell-based Intel i5 and i7 processors, paired with super-speed SSDs, turned the laptop into a kind of calculator: I pressed the button and immediately, just instantly, got the result. At least, I had just such associations at the moment when I first got my hands on the current generation MacBook Air (2013 lineup).

But one question remains unresolved to this day. Apple has left out the displays in the Air for now. While slightly more "advanced" laptops, even iPad tablets equipped with high-quality IPS-matrices with Retina technology, all MacBook Airs are equipped with outdated screens based on TN-Film technology. The situation has not changed for several years, only the resolution was increased (from 1200 x 800 to 1440 x 900 pixels, if we talk about a 13-inch modification). I think to better understand the difference in perception between Retina and TN screens in Air and Pro, this comparison is best: put iPhone 3Gs and iPhone 5 side by side and look at the image on both devices. A qualitative leap is noticeable immediately, after Retina you will not want to go back.

It seems that this approach to the production of MacBook Air models is already unacceptable, especially given the emergence of the thirteen-inch MacBook Pro with Retina displays and with exactly the same technical parameters, how in current models Air. There are not so many cardinal differences, except for the main one - the presence of a magnificent 13 "Retina High Defenition - display with a resolution of 2880 x 1800 pixels in Pro, try to highlight the important for yourself:

  • The Pro is only 220 grams heavier than the Air (1.57 kg versus 1.35 kg), no charger required
  • The Pro is slightly thicker than the Air (although the Pro's height around the screen hinge is even lower)
  • The Air is larger than the Pro in dimensions (325 x 227 x 17 mm versus 314 x 219 x 18 mm), the difference in thickness is noticeable only in the trackpad area, if it is important to someone
  • Pro are equipped with Intel i5 and i7 processors with Haswell architecture, laptops can easily work 9-10 hours, the difference with Air in autonomy is leveled
  • Pro, according to personal observations and feelings, is equipped with a slightly better keyboard
  • Pro is equipped with more ports and connectors (2xUSB 3.0, HDMI, 2x Thunderbolt 2, 3.5 mm + SPDIF audio output, support for SD, SDHC memory cards)
  • Anti-glare coating The Pro copes slightly better with backlighting, in practice this allows you to position the laptop as you like and not think about glare and discomfort

The main factor holding back from the purchase is the price, for a MacBook Pro in the basic configuration (Intel Core i5, 4 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD) in the official Apple store they ask 52,990 rubles, a MacBook Air in exactly the same configuration will cost 7,000 rubles cheaper - you have to pay 45,990 for it. If you look for unofficial sellers, you can find the Pro for several thousand less. If you plan to load your laptop with resource-intensive tasks, for example, start Windows in virtual machine, I can advise you to purchase an extended configuration with 8 GB of RAM, otherwise working on standard 4 GB is quite comfortable. The difference in price is unambiguously justified, it was with undisguised pleasure that I changed my MacBook Air 2013 to the new MacBook Pro just because of the great screen.

As a conclusion, I will quote a phrase from a friend from Twitter, I ask today's Air owners not to take it literally. I really want Apple engineers and marketers to do something with the line of "world's thinnest laptops", otherwise they will have the same story as with white plastic MacBooks.

I would like to thank Dmitry Lushin, an employee of Store77, for his help in preparing the material.

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