How is a Macbook different from a normal laptop? Which is better to buy: MacBook Air or MacBook Pro.

The line of compact laptops MacBook has been continued in the face of the 2016 model. The devices are endowed with a more powerful "stuffing" and for the first time available in the color "rose gold". With a weight of 900 g and a thickness of 13.1 mm, Apple calls the "future of all laptops." What are the strengths of the 12-inch MacBook and why many users may prefer the MacBook Air, further in our article.

Connectors

The biggest disappointment of the MacBook can be the number of connectors in the device - one USB-C and one 3.5mm audio jack. Through USB-C, it is proposed to either charge the laptop or connect peripherals. Obviously, the MacBook is designed exclusively for wireless operation. If you fully charge the laptop and connect it to Wi-Fi, and save the files either on your computer or in the "cloud", you can work with it. But if, for example, while working with a file on the hard drive or playing a movie with an HDMI connection to a TV, the laptop runs out, you will have to disconnect the external device before recharging it.

The MacBook Air is more practical in this regard. In addition to the audio jack, the 13-inch model has two USB 3.0 ports, one Thunderbolt 2 port, an SDXC card slot, and a convenient MagSafe 2 magnetic connector.

Performance

In the GeekBench test, the new MacBook scores 2360 and 4500 points in single-core and multi-core modes, respectively. In the first mode, the chip is 10% faster than the processor in the previous generation MacBook. However, it is 10% slower than the 11-inch MacBook Air. In a multi-core test, the difference between the MacBooks was 12% in favor of the 2016 model. But the MacBook Air was again faster - by 13%.

In the Cinebench GL benchmark, the 2016 MacBook graphics card performs almost one and a half times better than last year's model. Nevertheless, it lost to the base models of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro of the 2015 model.

Display size

The dimensions of the new MacBook are the same as last year's model - 28 x 19.6 cm. It is still Apple's smallest laptop - the lightest MacBook Air weighs 1.08 kilograms. The 12-inch Retina display has a resolution of 2304 x 1440 pixels, compared to the typical 1440 x 900 pixels on the MacBook Air. Nevertheless, the difference of 1 inch - 13 vs. 12 inches is quite significant. The MacBook Air user gets a larger screen, albeit not as clear as that of the “rival”.

light apple

The Apple logo on the lid of the 12-inch does not glow, as we are used to, and like the iPhone and iPad is made of polished stainless steel. The company first began to use a similar insert in the form of its brand name in smartphones and tablets. According to most users, this is an unfortunate loss for Apple laptops.

Price

The cost of the base model of the 2016 MacBook is 107,000 rubles. For this money, the user receives a compact portable laptop with an ultra-clear screen with the power needed to solve tasks on the go. However, in terms of performance and functionality, the MacBook loses to the MacBook Air, the prices for which in Russia are significantly lower - from 70 to 92 thousand rubles. You just have to give up the compactness and screen resolution.

For the same 107,000 rubles, you can even buy a much more productive 13-inch MacBook Pro with a Retina screen and an Intel Core i5 processor with a frequency of 2.7 GHz.

conclusions

The main advantages of the 12-inch MacBook in its price category compared to other Apple laptops are compactness, Retina-screen, long battery life and exclusivity, in particular pink color. Among the disadvantages are lower performance and slower performance in solving complex tasks, limited to one USB-C port and a relatively high price. Accordingly, you will have to decide whether it makes sense to pay a premium price for design and portability.

Apple products are rightfully considered the highest quality and most in demand in the modern world. Thin and compact in appearance, but powerful in their parameters, laptops manufactured by this company have gained particular fame. If you are reading this article, then most likely you are thinking about purchasing an Apple MacBook. Here you will find the necessary recommendations to help you choose a good Macbook, taking into account both your needs and your budget.

When choosing a Macbook, there are several factors to consider at once.

So, what models of laptops from this company exist and how do they differ? Let's sort it out in order.

Production of the modification of this laptop, which is now on sale, began in March 2015. Apple MacBook Air is the most affordable laptop model from this manufacturer. There are currently two 13-inch models on the market. Initially, an 11-inch model was also on the market, 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 light and compact model will suit you best.

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

The main difference between the two MacBook Air models is the storage capacity. For the cheaper model, which has a factory price of $999, that goes up to 128GB. The $1,199 model, meanwhile, has a 256GB drive.

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

There are also two USB 3.0 ports that can work with devices using USB 2.0. MacBook Air is able to perform 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 iPhone and other devices.

This option can be chosen by those users who need to perform a variety of work on the computer on the road or moving from place to place. It's also the best work laptop for a freelancer. The MacBook Air is Apple's most affordable laptop, making it an attractive price tag 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 a MacBook Air. It is intended for people who prefer mobility to all other tasks, including various additional features and performance. This laptop only comes in one size: 12 inches. But there are a variety of colors: rose gold, space gray, gold, silver.

There are two modifications that differ in processor power. The $1,299 model is powered by a 1.1GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor and has 256GB of storage space. The more expensive $1,599 model has the same processor, but at 1.2GHz and 512GB of storage. Both models have 8 GB of RAM and an integrated Intel HD Graphics 515.

Also, this laptop is equipped with a Retina display, which means it has an ultra-high resolution and is able to show a sharper image than the MacBook Air, which has a standard display. The standard resolution of a modern Retina display on a MacBook is 2304x1440.

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

However, the performance of the Core M processor of this model is at a good level and can be compared with the performance of the MacBook Air. Thus, the laptop can also perform all the necessary everyday tasks. This model is suitable for those users who do not often need to connect external devices, since it is not very convenient to carry a whole bunch of adapters with them. At the same time, the laptop is thin, light and perfect for people who are light on their feet.

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

The laptop is designed for demanding users who pay special attention to performance. At the moment, the Pro model is Apple's first performance laptop.

There is a whole line of modifications of this laptop.

• Model for $1499. 13" screen, 2GHz dual-core Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB disk space, integrated Intel Iris Graphics 540, no touchpad.
• MacBook Pro $1799. 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 panel Touch Bar - a novelty from Apple, which each user can customize for himself by placing the functions he needs.
• The next model is priced at $1999. It has the same frequency of the processor - 2.9 GHz, a 13-inch screen, the same amount of RAM and the same card as the previous model. The difference lies only in the amount of disk space, in this model its volume is 512 GB. The touchpad is also present.
• Model for $2399. This laptop has a larger screen - 15 inches, as well as a different processor - a dual-core Core i7 at 2.6 GHz. The amount of RAM is 16 GB, disk space - 256 GB. There is an integrated Intel HD Graphics 530 card, as well as a discrete 2 GB Radeon Pro 450 graphics card. There is also a touch panel.
• The $2,799 model is identical to the previous model except for the following: 2.7 GHz processor speed, 512 GB disk space, Radeon Pro discrete graphics

And a few more words about the new Touch Bar - an innovation and a hallmark of these laptops. It is the input device located at the top of the keyboard. The buttons on this panel and the functions they invoke depend on the software being used. Note that the $1,499 first model of the MacBook Pro line doesn't have a touch bar, just the regular function buttons.

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

Comparison of some models

The $1,499 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air show some interesting comparisons. In performance testing, the MacBook Pro performs significantly more impressively - it is 25 percent faster. When using professional software applications, it also leads in terms of speed. A slightly different picture is obtained when using conventional software applications - browsers and e-mail. In this case, the MacBook Pro shows only a slight performance advantage. While working, for example, in a browser or a text editor, the difference is almost imperceptible to the average user.

For the most demanding users, the $1,799 MacBook Pro is the best bet. This model has a Retina display, which provides an excellent image. The performance of this laptop is also at a good level. And the disk space and two inches diagonal that separate this model from the next in the line are not decisive and do not provide a serious advantage, but the price varies significantly.

ADVICE. If you want maximum performance then the choice is clear, Apple's most powerful laptop is the $2799 MacBook Pro. If the usual work at the computer includes only access to the Internet 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 the life of Apple computers is very long due to their good quality. Processor performance has not increased much in recent years. The main changes that are being made to the new models relate mainly to battery life and various innovative elements, such as the touch panel. Therefore, the demand for used equipment of this company is not weakening.

In general, all Apple equipment produced in recent years demonstrates an equally high quality. Therefore, you can buy a used MacBook Air from 2013 and get a great laptop for your daily needs at a significantly reduced price compared to the new model.

In order not to make a mistake when buying, you can follow the steps below to help you choose a good working used Macbook.

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

Apple Corporation annually pleases fans of electronic innovations with a variety of modern gadgets, among which a hotel niche is occupied by computer technology. Brand computers are distinguished by high performance, reliability, advanced software functionality and serious technical capabilities. There are several model lines of "apple" laptops that have many differences from the classic ones. Let's try to figure out how the Macbook Air differs from the Macbook Pro and what is the difference between them and a regular Macbook.

Main product series of Apple

Before we give comparative characteristics, let's name the main types of portable Apple computers.

• macbook- a lightweight version of the Air-family in a compact format. The device is focused on solving mobile problems. It weighs only 2.1 kg and has an aesthetic, ergonomic design.
• Macbook Air- a universal series, represented by light and thin computers. Convenient for everyday work tasks. They are distinguished by high speed of work, the absence of lags. In terms of performance, they are in no way inferior to the Pro series. However, if we consider purchasing a device for complex, multifaceted, professional work, for example, in graphic editors or three-dimensional programs, and choose which is better Macbook Pro or Macbook Air , the decision will definitely be in favor of the first.
• Macbook Pro- a line of laptops with powerful, advanced hardware and Retina displays. Due to their parameters, these devices are able to replace stationary PCs. They can easily cope with work in such heavy programs as Autocad, 3D Max, Photoshop and others.

Comparative characteristics and description of products

Covering the question of how the MacBook Pro differs from the MacBook Air and just the MacBook, it is worth considering in more detail the main technical parameters of these devices. Both laptops are quite productive and easily cope with standard tasks. The main feature that captivates most users is an elegant, stylish design. Both laptops have a solid aluminum body, open and close easily and silently. The Air line is represented by 11.6, 13.3-inch samples, and the Pro-series boasts 13.3 and 15-inch diagonals. The maximum weights are 1.35 (for Air) and 2.56 (for Pro).

Screens

Another indicator of how Macbook Air differs from Macbook – pixel density. It is also worth considering the resolution of the monitor. These settings affect the overall quality of the image, the smoothness of the fonts, and the naturalness of the displayed images. So, Mac Air is represented by a 13″ model (16:10) with a resolution of 1440 x 900 pixel and a standard density of 128 ppi. The second sample is equipped with a 12″ screen with a resolution of 2304 by 1440 with a density of 226 ppi. Similar figures for the MacBook Pro: 2560 x 1600 and 227 ppi (for 13 inches), as well as 2880 x 1800 and 220 ppi (for 15). Monitors cover a wide color range, correctly, brightly and realistically display all shades, are highly detailed.

What is the difference between MacBook and MacBook Pro and Air: processor

The second important component in the selection of a computer is the characteristics of the hardware. The performance, speed, and ability to cope with complex operations depend on the technical characteristics of the processor. Therefore, before you buy a device, you need to clearly understand what tasks it should solve. Processor performance is the main difference between a MacBook and a MacBook Air and Pro. The MacBook is objectively inferior to the other two model lines in terms of the speed of performing actions. The 12-inch model runs on Intel Core M and Skylake architecture, which is somewhat inferior to Core i5 and 7. But a significant advantage of such laptops is the lack of a fan to cool the processor, which ensures absolute noiselessness during operation.

The inside of the MacBook Air is a Broadwell-architecture chip and the time-tested Intel Core i5/i7 (varies depending on configuration). Thirteen-inch members of the Pro-family operate on Skylake, fifteen on Broadwell. One and the second laptop is equipped with Core i5 (2.7 GHz) or Core i7 (3.1 and 2.8 GHz) processors.

Graphics

Graphic parameters are not the strongest side of the American brand's laptops. They will not suit sophisticated gamers who are used to enjoying rich, highly detailed 3D games. But laptops do a great job with complex multimedia content:

• the advanced version of the Mac Pro has more graphics capabilities than the MacBook Air. This is due to the use of a fairly powerful AMD Radeon video card with two gigabytes of memory;
• The 13-inch Pro without Touch Bar features Intel Iris Graphics 540, while the Touch Bar version features Intel Iris Graphics 550. The latter is upgradeable to Radeon Pro 450/460.
• the 15″ Apple laptop has built-in discrete graphics Radeon Pro 455/460, Intel HD Graphics 530.

What is the difference between Macbook Pro and Macbook : autonomy indicators

The overall battery life is a mandatory parameter that is taken into account when choosing a laptop. In this regard, Apple's portable devices show good results. All brand products are able to function in standby mode for up to thirty days. Consider the difference between Macbook and Macbook Air , on the example of a comparative table of indicators of autonomy.

Keyboard, trackpad

Apple brand electronics provide quick access to Mac system functions. Force Touch trackpads are equipped with MacBook and MacBook Pro. Air and Pro laptop keyboards have standard scissor mechanisms. The MacBook uses a new version of the keyboard mechanism called the "butterfly". Here, each button is a one-piece element with an increased footprint. Such keys are more stable, stable, have a lower height, more accurately respond to touch and press.

Ports and SSD

Which is better, MacBook or MacBook Air: RAM

A large amount of RAM allows you to install and simultaneously run several programs and applications at once, perform many tasks without loss of performance. Manufacturers offer one version of the MacBook - 8 GB of 1886 MHz RAM. The thirteen-inch version of the MacBook Air has similar parameters. Built-in memory 13″ versions of MacBook Pro 2016 and higher - 8 and 16 GB, 15 "- 16 gigabytes.

Operating system

All Mac portable computers come with Mac OS Sierra. The OS is packed with useful apps designed for security and privacy. The developers have tried to do everything for maximum ease of use of the system. Here, already familiar to fans of the Siri brand, Finder tabs, the iBooks application. Thanks to advanced features, integration with a smartphone, tablet or Apple Watch is available. The key difference between the operating system and Apple is increased performance and a period without recharging. Thanks to changes such as Timer Coalescing, App Nap, you can work longer, make the most of the internal processor.

Camera

This is one of the elements in Apple laptops that allows you to use FaceTime video calls, make video calls via Skype, which, according to objective estimates, needs serious improvement. The 12-inch MacBook has a camera with a resolution of only 480p, other models use a 720p camera. Latest MacBook Pro - Rs. Therefore, for high-quality video shooting, you will need to purchase additional photographic equipment.

Color solutions

The MacBook is offered in various color variations: silver, gold, rose gold, space silver. Brand brothers of the Air and Pro families in silver. Since 2016, MacBook Pro has been produced in 2 colors: silver, space gray.

External monitors

Often, a Macbook is used as a portable device, with which external LCD monitors are additionally connected. You can connect an additional device to your MacBook via HDMI (using an adapter) or via a USB-C connector. Connection with displays 3840 x 2160 pixel (30 hertz) and 4096 x 2160 pixel (24 hertz) is allowed.

MacBook Air is capable of operating exclusively with Thunderbolt monitors up to 3840 x 2160 pixel resolution. Macbook Pro has more opportunities in this regard. 3840 x 2160 pixel displays can be connected to it (15″ models are capable of working with two LCD monitors at once).

Which is better, Macbook Air or Macbook: general conclusions

When choosing a productive, functional device, it is necessary to clearly understand the tasks that the user faces.

What is the difference between MacBook Pro and Air: general comparative parameters:

• MacBook Air is thinner, lighter, more compact;
• MacBook Pro available in 15″;
• Macbook Pro has a discrete video system, Macbook has an integrated one;
• Macbook Pro processor is more productive;
• Air does not allow third-party interference, "Proshka" allows you to upgrade the system;
• MacBook Pro has a Retina display;
• the smallest diagonal (11.6″) - MacBook Air;
• The screen resolution of Air is higher if the diagonal sizes in typical matrices match.

If you're looking for a stylish, ergonomic laptop with decent performance, look no further than the M7-based MacBook. For complex, full-fledged work with multimedia content, the MacBook Pro will be the best solution. It is also suitable for those who are looking for a powerful, reliable, productive laptop for rendering large static scenes or videos. "Apple" laptops of the Pro series are the best alternative to a stationary PC, suitable for almost all users. The only negative is that it is not the most convenient format for travel use.

Those who appreciate long autonomy, compactness, lightness and convenience should choose the 13-inch MacBook Air. Deciding which Macbook Air is best , it is important to determine for what purpose it is bought. A characteristic feature of the Air line is that only SSD drives are installed in them, and hard drives are also installed in the model of the Pro line. Air laptops are more affordable and have less storage space. This line is ideal for travelers and anyone looking for an affordable laptop.

Thus, to objectively answer the question: which is better, Macbook Pro or Air , only individual preferences, financial possibilities, personal goals will help.

Usually Apple products are compared with the equipment of other manufacturers, arranging innumerable holivars on the topic “the more beautiful the apple” and “is it worth paying for the show off”. It would be desirable to determine the similarities and differences between Cupertin's laptops, except in the case of a sharp statement of the question “what to choose?”. And you can get stuck choosing between the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air for a long time, especially if you get access to the bodies and fiddle with great-looking devices with no longer intimidating, but stopping price tags. Of course, within each line of versions, there are many, and the hardware of representatives of one model can vary significantly, so the comparison is mainly about design, main technical characteristics and user tasks and capabilities.

MacBook Pro and MacBook Air

Apple MacBook Pro- a laptop from Apple, considered the thinnest in the world at the time of release. Sales began in 2008, today the fifth generation is relevant.
Apple MacBook Pro
Apple MacBook Pro- a laptop from Apple, introduced in 2006 and today supplied in the sixth generation of the line. It is positioned as a complete replacement for desktop computers in home and professional use.
Apple MacBook Pro

Comparison of MacBook Pro and MacBook Air

The difference between the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro seems to be very subjective, because both laptops are quite productive and able to cope with a huge number of standard tasks. The first thing that users pay attention to is the design and dimensions of laptops with an apple: in comparison with the equipment of other manufacturers, they look elegant and stylish, which is what the majority buys for (and the brand, of course). Both laptops are made in an aluminum Unibody case - solid, without cracks, do not hang out and do not creak.
Dimensions are given by screen size first and foremost, and the MacBook Air line has 11.6-inch and 13.3-inch options, while the MacBook Pro shows 13.3 inches, 15 inches, and 17. The last diagonal size value is not relevant today , because Apple refused such laptops in the Pro model. Air weight reaches a maximum of 1.35 kg, Pro weight - 2.56 kg (for options with a 15-inch screen diagonal). If we compare models of the same matrix size, then the weight of the Pro will be 700 g more (however, it all depends on the specific configuration). The thickness of the MacBook Air is 1.7 cm, the Pro is somewhat more solid - 2.4 cm. Accordingly, we can say about the Air that it is more focused on solving mobile tasks. The eleven-inch Air model can be safely put into a magazine or a folder with documents, such a trick will not work with a more “adult” model. MacBook Pro still requires a more careful attitude and a special case or bag. In a word, Air is a justified naming (although we recall that the status of the thinnest laptop among the Yabloko was still disputed, and successfully).
If we talk about the display, then the main selection criterion is now considered far from the diagonal, but the screen matrix and its quality characteristics. In this regard, the MacBook Pro outperforms the Air in a very nice, albeit tricky way: since recently, the Pro has been equipped with a Retina display, familiar to us from tablets and smartphones. And this means higher resolution, more pixel density and, accordingly, a clearer image and smoother fonts. The Pro models, which got a simpler matrix, show a slightly worse screen resolution than the Air (1280x800 versus 1240x900 at 13.3 inches diagonally).
Inside cases with an apple, the hardware stuffing is usually tiered, and it is not possible to compare the performance of different configurations. It is worth noting that the MacBook Air is denied a productive video system, and the graphics are integrated into the processor, and the RAM for the graphics core is reserved in RAM. MacBook Pro, playing in the league of professional laptops, does not differ in such modesty, and is equipped with a decent level discrete graphics card. Fifteen-inch models are equipped with NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M.
The processors in the MacBook Air do not please with high performance - Intel Core Duo, i5 or i7 with a frequency of up to 2 GHz (but with the new Haswell architecture), while the MacBook Pro offers all 2.6 GHz in top models (and even with Turbo Boost overclocking). 3.6 GHz). Four cores are available only for the older model. In typical Air configurations, a 128 GB or 256 GB SSD is installed (possibly 512 GB, but on request), while Pro manages with hard drives up to 750 GB (we saw up to 1 TB), you can also find with solid state. In the case of the MacBook Air, Apple considered its brainchild to be ideal and did not leave users the opportunity to change something, blaming the crooked hands. But the MacBook Pro can be customized by changing the system configuration yourself.
If specs are just a bunch of letters and sounds for you, then the MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro comparison should be task-focused. Eleven-inch Air models are a hiking option, lightweight and compact, easily fitting into a briefcase, bag, backpack. He can do a lot, especially in comparison with tablet satellites. Watching videos on the road, reading, working with documents, browsing websites and playing games in the low segment is enough for this and even more than enough. If it is also intended to be used as a home computer, then a 13-inch diagonal will be needed, and you will have to say goodbye to a high level of travel comfort. However, Air still remains a mobile solution, and its ability to work 9-12 hours from the built-in battery comes at a cost. MacBook Pro is an attempt to replace stationary solutions and leave the opportunity to “walk” the device without heavy loads on the body. It will handle resource-intensive applications, the graphics system will cope with heavy loads, but the performance will not let you roam - about 7 hours of battery life with a connection to wireless networks.
Choosing Apple equipment based on price is a certain kind of oddity, often called stupidity. If you decide not to do without a stub on aluminum, then you will have to spend a significant part of the budget, and plus or minus a certain number of orange pieces of paper will not play a role. But still, if the price matters, then the MacBook Air will save you money: eleven-inch models start at 42 thousand rubles, thirteen-inch models start at 46 thousand. MacBook Pro in the most modest version (13.3 inches) will cost 48 thousand (and 60 thousand for Retina), and 15 inches - 72 thousand (and 88 thousand, respectively).

TheDifference.ru determined that the difference between MacBook Pro and MacBook Air is as follows:

MacBook Air is thinner and lighter.
The MacBook Air has a small screen size of 11.6 inches.
The MacBook Pro has a screen size of 15 inches.
The screen resolution with the same diagonal sizes and typical matrices for Air is higher.
The MacBook Pro also comes with a Retina display.
The MacBook Air has an integrated video system, while the MacBook Pro has a discrete one.
The processors in the MacBook Pro line are more productive.
The MacBook Air has only SSD drives, the Pro has hard drives and an optional SSD.
The storage capacity of the MacBook Pro is larger.
MacBook Pro allows you to upgrade the system, Air does not allow interference.
The MacBook Air is slightly cheaper.

Very often, many users who want to buy a laptop from Apple ask themselves: "Which MacBook should I choose?" And indeed, everything is not as simple as it might seem. There are a lot of different models of "apple" devices, and they are all very similar in their characteristics, but they differ markedly in price. In today's material, we will analyze in detail some of the most interesting and best laptops from Apple that you can definitely buy.

Apple MacBook Air 13 (MMGF2)

The first model that comes to mind when asking "which MacBook to choose" is, of course, the MacBook Air 13. This laptop can be safely called the most balanced and popular among all Apple devices in the company's budget segment. It is not only great for home use and work, but also a great device for travel and travel.

Delivery set and appearance

The laptop comes in a relatively small branded white box, on which there are images of the model itself. Also on the packaging are the main characteristics of the device and key features. The delivery set here is as follows: a laptop user manual, a warranty card, a network cable with a power supply, and, in fact, that's all.

It is difficult to find fault with the outside, because it looks very cool and beautiful. The case is made of metal and has a pleasant to the touch texture. On the top cover there is traditionally the company logo in the form of an apple, which glows when turned on.

On the left side there is a USB 3.0 port, a 3.5 mm headphone jack and a power cable jack. On the right side is a card reader, another USB port version 3 and a Thunderbolt 2.0 connector.

As for the laptop screen, it has a diagonal of 13.3 inches and a resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels. The matrix type is TN+film and the pixel density is 127.7ppi. Apple is very famous for its well-calibrated and tuned screens, so here everything is on top with the picture quality. Color reproduction is good, correct, there is a margin of brightness and contrast, and everything is in order with saturation. The only downside worth noting is the glossy finish of the display. Fingerprints remain on it, and they are visible to the naked eye.

And finally, a little about the keyboard and touchpad. In principle, everything here is also more than standard for the company. The keyboard is "stripped down" without a numeric keypad, but the layout of the keys is spacious and incredibly comfortable. The buttons are not too big, but very clear move, and each press is accompanied by a pleasant click. In terms of ergonomics - a solid five. Those who work a lot with text will obviously be pleased.

The touchpad is also very interesting and convenient. Finger on the surface slides easily, there is support for gestures. The buttons are also easy and pleasant to press. Another advantage of the touchpad is its size - it is larger than in any other laptop, which makes the process of using it even more comfortable.

Characteristics

The MacBook is powered by an Intel Core i5 5250U processor. The processor is dual-core, with a frequency of 1.6 GHz. There is an automatic overclocking mode, in which the frequency increases to 2.7 GHz, which is quite good. The CPU also has a 3 MB L3 cache.

The memory in the laptop is 8 GB, and there is no possibility to expand this volume. The RAM runs at 1600 MHz. Storage is a 128 GB Solid State Hard Drive (SSD).

Unfortunately, the laptop has an integrated video card, Intel HD 6000. It does not have its own video memory, so it will take some part of the RAM.

The operating system of the laptop is Mac OS X, not Windows, as many might mistakenly think. The fact is that Windows is not installed on the MacBook, this is Apple's policy.

Well, in the end, a little about autonomy. The battery of the laptop has a capacity of 4900 mAh. After a full charge, the device can work up to 12 hours, which is an excellent indicator.

Reviews

Reviews of this laptop show that the MacBook Air is an excellent and balanced device in all its characteristics, with good speed and performance. Especially users note the high autonomy and excellent build quality of the model. As such, the laptop has no shortcomings. Unless the screen is not Retina, and the price could be less (75 thousand rubles).

Apple MacBook Pro 13 (MPXT2)

Continuing the topic "Which MacBook to choose", we move on to the next model - Apple MacBook Pro 13. This laptop is already considered a class higher than the previous one. There is also a Retina display, and the processor is more powerful, and the performance is higher, in general, it is better in all respects, only it costs more.

Equipment and appearance

The laptop is for sale in a small branded white box. Inside the package is the following package: warranty card, instructions, laptop "Macbook Pro 13" and a network cable with a power supply and plug.

Externally, the laptop looks very cool, even better than the Air version. The case is still made of metal and painted in silver. On the bottom of the laptop, you can find only rubber feet, and the lid, according to tradition, is decorated with the company logo.

Of the jacks on the right side, there are only 3.5mm headphone jacks. On the left, there are 2 USB-C ports (Thunderbolt 3). As you can see, there are no classic USB 3 ports here, so you will have to use third-party USB hubs to connect the same flash drives.

Now you can go to the display. Immediately minus for the glossy finish, which will always leave fingerprints. Fortunately, this is the only drawback of the screen. The Retina display has a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels and a diagonal of 13.3. The pixel density is 227 ppi. Matrix type - IPS. There are no complaints about image quality at all. The picture is very clear, bright, saturated, with rich colors, correct and natural color reproduction. There is a margin of brightness, there are no problems with contrast.

As for the keyboard, it is, as always, excellent. The layout is slightly more dense than the previous model, but still the distance between the buttons is enough not to press two keys at once. If we talk about the clicks themselves, then the buttons have a small, but very confident and clear move. The touch sound is almost inaudible, which is certainly a plus.

The touchpad is much larger than the Air version, making it virtually a mouse replacement. There is a huge support for gestures and combinations of taps to perform certain functions. Also in this touchpad technology Force Touch is implemented, which, in fact, is a rejection of conventional buttons. Instead, there are special sensors that measure the force of pressing and perform appropriate actions. It is very convenient and to some extent even better than a classic mouse.

Notebook Specifications

It's time to move on to the characteristics The processor here is from Intel, the i5 7360U model with two cores and four threads. The clock frequency is 2.3 GHz, and in the auto overclocking mode - 3.6 GHz. There is a cache of the 3rd level, its size is 4 MB.

The RAM in the laptop is 8 GB, not expandable. It operates at a frequency of 2133 MHz, which is an excellent indicator.

Integrated video card - Intel Iris Plus 640, without its own dedicated memory.

Macbook hard drive is 256 GB solid state. Alas, it is not possible to install another one, so the only option is to replace the drive with a more capacious one.

The OS is the proprietary Mac OS Sierra, which has many useful and interesting features, as well as smart optimization.

Summarizing the technical part, it is worth noting this: the system works very quickly, without any delays and slowdowns. The performance level of the laptop is good - it is suitable not only for home use, but also as a device for video editing, photo editing and even 3D graphics. In conclusion, a few words about autonomy. The battery of the MacBook Pro 13 has a capacity of 6580 mAh, which allows the laptop to work on a full charge for just over 10 hours. Given the characteristics and capabilities of the model, this indicator can be considered very good.

Laptop Reviews

Laptop reviews show that the MacBook Pro 13 model turned out to be very successful, interesting and with excellent characteristics, but it is not without flaws. So, users note the lack of conventional USB ports, only 2 USB-C ports, easily soiled screen coverage, strong heating during prolonged use (an additional cooling pad is needed), the lack of an HDMI port, not very successful charging technology and a high price. Otherwise, there are no complaints.

Apple MacBook Pro 15 (MPTU2)

Well, the last one for today is the MacBook Pro 15 laptop. Another representative of the Pro line that deserves attention. There's a bigger screen, even better performance and features, an incredible screen quality, and more. More details below.

Notebook package and its appearance

There is no point in writing about the packaging, since it is the same as above, so you can immediately proceed to the configuration. Inside the package, in addition to the MacBook Pro 15 itself, there is a network cable with a power supply, a plug, a user manual and a warranty card.

On the appearance and design, you can also not stop too much, since this is almost the same laptop as the previous one, only slightly larger. The body is also metal, everything is assembled perfectly, the only thing is that the color is different - it is lighter.

As for the elements and their location, then almost everything is unchanged. On the right side are 2 USB-C (Thunderbolt 3) and a 3.5mm headphone jack. On the left side are 2 more USB-C (Thunderbolt 3) and that's it. There is no floppy drive, card reader or anything else, as before.

Retina-screen has a diagonal of 15.4 inches with a resolution of 2880 x 1800 pixels and a pixel density of 220 ppi. IPS matrix type. There are no complaints about the quality of the display. The matrix is ​​set up and calibrated very accurately. Colors are reproduced correctly, contrast, saturation and brightness are at a very high level. The display will definitely appeal to those who work with photos or vector graphics. Unfortunately, the screen has a minus - a glossy finish. Probably Apple will never give it up. Anyway.

There is no point in talking too much about the keyboard and touchpad, since they are actually the same as the previous model. The layout and layout are identical, the buttons have a short but clear stroke, which is accompanied by a click. The keyboard is comfortable to work with and those who type a lot will definitely appreciate it.

As for the touchpad, it is a little more than in the Pro 13 laptop, but it is made using the same Force Touch technology, with all its chips, comfort and convenience.

The only thing else in this model is a touchbar, a strip above the topmost row of keyboard buttons. By itself, this touchbar is a small touch panel, on which, depending on the situation, various controls appear. For example, when watching movies on the touchbar, a time bar is displayed, with which you can rewind. Useful thing.

MacBook Pro 15 Specifications

The device is powered by a quad-core Intel Core i7 7700HQ processor. In addition to 4 cores, there are also 8 threads, which will be a huge plus in applications for 3D graphics or the same video editing. The clock frequency of the CPU is 2.8 GHz, and in auto overclocking mode it is 3.8 GHz. The cache size of the second level has been increased to 1 MB, and the cache of the third level has a volume of 6 MB.

The MacBook Pro 15 has a whopping 16GB of RAM. There is, as always, no room for expansion. The RAM operates at a frequency of 2133 MHz.

The video card, finally, is discrete - AMD Radeon Pro 555 with 2 GB of memory on board. However, a discrete "vidyuha" is also here - this is the Intel HD 630, without its own memory.

The drive is traditionally installed solid-state, but only 256 GB, and without the ability to add another drive. Expectations from a laptop of a higher class are somewhat different. I would like, of course, that the SSD was at least 500 GB, but alas, it is, it is.

The operating system of the model is the same as above - Mac OS Sierra. Everything works quickly, smoothly, without brakes and freezes.

In general, with regard to performance in general, the laptop is simply excellent. It can be safely used to work in heavy applications, especially where multitasking is required.

If we talk about battery life, then everything is also not bad here. The battery has a capacity of 6320 mAh, which allows it to work from a full charge of 5-6 hours.