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MacBook: functions, types, technical specifications, which model to choose? Difference between MacBook Pro and MacBook Air MacBook or Air which is better

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

Apple's main product lines

Before bringing 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 solving everyday work tasks. Are different high speed work, no 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 former.
Macbook Pro– a line of laptops with powerful, advanced hardware and Retina displays. Thanks to their parameters, these devices can replace desktop PCs. They can easily cope with work in such heavy programs as Autocad, 3D Max, Photoshop and others.

Comparative characteristics and product descriptions

Covering the question of how the MacBook Pro differs from the MacBook Air and just the MacBook, it’s worth taking a closer look at the main technical specifications device data. Both laptops are quite productive and handle standard tasks without much difficulty. The main feature that captivates most users is its elegant, stylish design. Both laptops have a solid aluminum body and open and close easily and silently. The Air line is represented by 11.6, 13.3-inch models, and the Pro series boasts diagonals of 13.3 and 15 inches. 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 monitor resolution. These parameters affect the overall image quality, the smoothness of fonts, and the naturalness of the displayed images. Thus, Mac Air is represented by a 13″ model (16:10) with a resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels and a standard density of 128 ppi. The second sample is equipped with a 12″ screen, a resolution of 2304 by 1440 with a density of 226 ppi. Similar indicators 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, display all shades correctly, brightly and realistically, and are distinguished by high detail.

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

The second important component when choosing a computer is the hardware characteristics. The performance, speed, and ability to cope with complex operations depend on the technical characteristics of the processor. Therefore, before buying 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 speed of action. The 12-inch model operates 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 absence of a fan to cool the processor, which ensures absolute silence during operation.

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

Graphic arts

Graphics options are not the best strong point American brand laptops. They are not suitable for experienced gamers who are used to enjoying rich, highly detailed 3D games. But laptops cope well with difficult multimedia content:

advanced version Mac Pro has great graphic capabilities compared to MacBook Air. This is due to the use of a fairly powerful AMD Radeon video card with two gigabytes of memory;
13-inch “Pro” modification without Touch functions The Bar is equipped with an Intel Iris Graphics 540, while the Touch Panel version is equipped with an Intel Iris Graphics 550. The latter is upgradable to a Radeon Pro 450 / 460 version.
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 total battery life is a mandatory parameter that is taken into account when choosing a laptop. In this regard portable devices Apple is showing good results. All brand products can operate in standby mode for up to thirty days. Let's look at the difference between a MacBook and a MacBook Air. , using the example of a comparative table of autonomy indicators.

Keyboard, trackpad

Apple brand electronics provide opportunities quick access to Mac system functions. Force Touch trackpad is equipped with MacBook and MacBook Pro. The keyboards of the Air and Pro laptops have standard scissor mechanisms. Used in MacBook a new version keyboard mechanism called “butterfly”. Here, each button is a solid element with an increased support area. Such keys are more stable, stable, have a lower height, and respond more accurately to touches and presses.

Ports and SSD storage

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, and perform many tasks without losing 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″ version MacBook Pro 2016 and above – 8 and 16 GB, 15″ – 16 gigabytes.

operating system

On all portable models Mac computers Mac OS Sierra installed. OS complete useful applications, designed for security and privacy. The developers tried to do everything to make the system as easy to use as possible. Here is already familiar to fans of the Siri brand, Finder tabs, and the iBooks application. Thanks to advanced features, integration with a smartphone, tablet or Apple Watch. Key Difference OSes from Apple - increased performance and period without recharging. Thanks to changes such as Timer Coalescing, App Nap, you can work longer and make the most efficient use of the internal processor.

Camera

This is one of the elements in Apple laptops that allows you to use FaceTime video calls and make video calls via Skype, which, according to objective estimates, requires serious improvement. The twelve-inch MacBook is equipped with a camera with a resolution of only 480 p, while other models use a 720 p camera. Latest MacBook Pro model – RUR 1,080. 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, and space silver. Brand brothers of the Air and Pro families in silver. Since 2016, the 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. To plug additional device You can connect to a 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 with a resolution of up to 3840 x 2160 pixels. More wide possibilities The MacBook Pro has the ability in this regard. You can connect 3840 x 2160 pixel displays to it (15″ models can work 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 is available with a 15″ diagonal;
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 when the diagonal sizes in standard matrices are the same.

If you want a stylish, ergonomic laptop with decent performance, consider the M7-based MacBook. For sophisticated, full-fledged work with multimedia content, the MacBook Pro is the optimal solution. It is also suitable for those who are looking for a powerful, reliable, productive laptop for rendering large static scenes or videos. Apple Pro series laptops are the best alternative to a desktop PC, suitable for almost all users. The only negative is that it is not the most convenient format for travel.

Connoisseurs of long battery life, compactness, lightness and convenience are better off choosing the 13-inch MacBook Air. Deciding which Macbook Air is better , It is important to determine for what purpose it is being purchased. Characteristic feature"Air" line is that they only install SSD drives, and in the "Pro" line model they also hard disks. Air laptops differ more affordable price and smaller storage capacity. This line is an ideal solution for travelers and those who need an affordable laptop.

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

Instead of making life easier for the user, as Steve Jobs once advocated, Apple seems to be doing the opposite. Take, for example, the MacBook line - there are now three varieties of it (ultra-thin 12-inch, thin Air and powerful Pro), so it is quite difficult for a potential buyer to figure out which laptop to choose. If you are not well versed in the Apple product line or cannot make a choice, we will try to help you with this.

First, let's define the characteristics of Apple laptops:

MacBook is a 12-inch ultra-thin laptop (thickness varies from 0.35 cm to 1.31 cm), weight 0.92 kg.
MacBook Air is a 13-inch thin laptop (thickness from 0.3 cm to 1.7 cm), weight 1.35 kg.
MacBook Pro (in this case we will talk about two versions of laptops at once) - powerful productive laptop with a screen diagonal of 13 and 15 inches, a thickness of 1.49 cm and a weight of 1.37 kg.

Display

This is perhaps one of the most important points to pay attention to when choosing a model. The point is that the latter Apple laptops equipped with excellent Retina displays, providing high-quality images with rich in colors. The new MacBook screens are much better than most Windows competitors.

Simple arithmetic applies here - than bigger screen, the larger the work area, but the more you will have to carry, and weight can be critical.

The MacBook has a 12-inch diagonal screen with a resolution of 2304 x 1440 (16:10) and a density of 226 ppi. This is exactly what a Retina display is, you really won’t be able to see the pixels with the naked eye, and the picture quality will pleasantly surprise you.

The MacBook Air is available only as a model with a 13-inch display (the 11-inch model has been discontinued) with a resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels (16:10) and a density of 128 ppi. This is a standard pixel density, and from a normal distance the “grain” of the screen is noticeable.

MacBook Pro comes in 13-inch with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels (16:10) and a density of 227 ppi, or 15-inch with a resolution of 2880 x 1800 (16:10) and a density of 220 ppi. Both screens are also Retina.

If we talk about the MacBook Pro 2016, they have a wider color gamut, so the colors look even brighter and more realistic. Other modifications use standard sRGB screens and display fewer colors than reality. MacBook Pro latest generation provide a wider P3 color gamut - the color space becomes 25% wider, and with big amount Image colors look brighter, more realistic and allow you to see even more details. If you take a photo taken on an iPhone and compare it to the exact same photo in HDR, you'll see what we're talking about.

If you want a high-quality picture and don't need a large work area, feel free to choose a MacBook.
For full graphics work, any MacBook Pro is better suited.
If color accuracy is a fundamental issue for you, then we recommend looking towards the MacBook Pro 2016.

External monitors

MacBooks are often used as a portable computer, to which external monitors can be connected if necessary. For example, at home or at work. And here too there are some nuances.

The MacBook can be connected to the monitor via USB-C or via HDMI (if an adapter is available). Here it should be immediately noted that at the same time you will not be able to charge the laptop, since it only has one connector. You can connect a monitor with a resolution of up to 3840 x 2160 pixels (30 Hz), or up to 4096 x 2160 pixels (24 Hz).

MacBook Air only works with Thunderbolt monitors with a resolution of up to 3840x2160 pixels.

The capabilities of the MacBook Pro are much wider: a monitor with a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels is connected using Thunderbolt (you can have two at once), but if you bought a top-end package (with AMD Radeon R9 M370X), you can connect a monitor of 5120x2880 pixels (60 Hz). "Proshka" also works with displays with resolutions of 1920x1080 (60 Hz), 3840x2160 (30 Hz) and 4096x2160 (24 Hz).

The 13-inch MacBook Pro 2016 supports connecting one monitor with a resolution of 5120x2880 (5K), but the 15-inch works with two such screens at once. Therefore, if you plan to use two external monitors, you should choose the MacBook Pro.

Camera

Perhaps one of the few elements in Apple laptops that requires serious improvement. The company allows you to use FaceTime video calls not only on the iPhone, but also on the MacBook, and video calls in general do not lose their relevance.

The 12-inch MacBook has a 480p camera, which is, to put it mildly, rather weak. The remaining models use a camera that shoots in 720p resolution. Even in the latest MacBook Pro – 1080p front cameras Apple laptops are not supported. Actually, the choice here is simple - if you want high-quality video shooting, buy additional camera with USB connection.

CPU

The processor is the second important point that you should pay attention to when choosing a MacBook. Hardware affects performance, and we need to understand for what tasks we are buying a laptop.

MacBook is considered the weakest laptop in terms of performance. The 12-inch model is based on Intel Core M chips with Skylake architecture, which are significantly weaker than Core i5 or i7. On the plus side, this processor doesn't require a fan, and the smallest MacBook is completely silent. Apple offers configurations with M3, M5 or M7 chips - they differ in performance, but not much.

The MacBook Air uses an outdated chip with Broadwell architecture, but it is a proven Intel Core i5 or i7, depending on the configuration. This laptop is more powerful than the previous one, although it is worth remembering about weak displays.

The MacBook Pro runs on Skylake (13-inch), the 15-inch version runs on Broadwell. Both laptops, depending on the diagonal, are equipped Core processor i5 (2.7 GHz and 2.8 GHz) or Core i7 (3.1 GHz and 2.8 GHz).

MacBook Pro 2016 runs on Skylake with almost identical parameters: 13 inches – Core i5 (2.0 GHz), Core i7 (2.4 GHz); 15 inches – Core i7 (2.6 GHz, 2.7 GHz, 2.9 GHz); Version with Touch Bar – Core i5 (2.9 GHz, 3.1 GHz), Core i7 (3.3 GHz)

If you want a thin and beautiful laptop but with decent performance, choose the M7-based MacBook.
If you need portable machine, nose better performance– MacBook Air.
If you need a powerful laptop for everyday use, the MacBook Pro is your choice.
If you need a top-end laptop for complex tasks like video rendering, you'll have to fork out for a 15-inch MacBook Pro 2016 and forget about upgrading for three years.

Graphic arts

Apple laptops don't have super-powerful graphics, and you're unlikely to be able to fully play video games on a MacBook. Again, a lot depends on the configuration - the GPU power may not be enough to comfortably play games rich in 3D graphics, but Apple laptops can handle complex multimedia content quite well.

The MacBook uses the simplest Intel HD Graphics 515, which is enough to work on one Retina screen. The MacBook Air runs on HD Graphics 6000 - better than the MacBook, but still capable of running complex processes this may not be enough.

The 2015 MacBook Pro is equipped with an Intel HD Graphics 6100 chip, which is slightly more powerful integrated graphics than the MacBook Air. The top version provides a fairly powerful AMD video card Radeon R9 M370X with 2 GB GDDR5 memory.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro 2016 received Intel Iris Graphics 540 (model without Touch Bar) and Intel Iris Graphics 550 (with Touch Bar) with the ability to upgrade to Radeon Pro 450 / 460. The 15-inch has Intel HD Graphics 530 and discrete graphics Radeon Pro 455 / 460.

The choice here is obvious - to work with multimedia content, you should take a closer look at the MacBook Pro 2015 or MacBook Pro 2016.

Autonomy

Everyone understands how important laptop battery life is. Whether you are flying on a plane, riding a train or bus, or even just sitting with a laptop in the park, these “last” 15-20 minutes are usually not enough to finish an important report, finish a presentation, or watch an interesting video. Wherever we need a working computer, and there are no sockets nearby, an additional plus to the laptop’s autonomy will not be out of place.

Fortunately, the MacBook has no problems with this - all models work without recharging for a very long time.

MacBook: 10 hours of browsing, 11 hours of video playback, 30 days of standby time.
MacBook Air: 12 hours web browsing, 12 hours video playback, 30 days standby time.
MacBook Pro 13 inches: 10 hours of browsing, 12 hours of video playback, 30 days of standby time.
MacBook Pro 15 inches: 9 hours of browsing, 9 hours of video playback, 30 days of standby time.
MacBook Pro 2016: 10 hours of browsing, 10 hours of video playback, 30 days of standby time.

If battery life is a key factor for you, the 13-inch MacBook Air is worth a look.

RAM

The more RAM in a laptop, the more applications you can run simultaneously without reducing performance, process photos or videos.

The MacBook only offers one option: 8GB 1866MHz LPDDR3 memory

The 13-inch MacBook Air also only comes with 8GB of RAM.

MacBook Pro 2015: 8 or 16 GB 1866 MHz LPDDR3 RAM for the 13-inch version. The 15-inch MacBook Pro 2015 has 16 GB of 1600 MHz DDR3L memory.

MacBook Pro 2016: 8 GB 1866 MHz LPDDR3 RAM for the model without Touch Bar, upgradeable to 16 GB. 13-inch MacBook Pro 2016 with touch panel The Bar is equipped with 8 or 16 GB of 2133 MHz LPDDR3 memory. The 15-inch model is offered with 16 GB of 2133 MHz LPDDR3 memory.

If you care RAM, choose MacBook Pro.

SSD drive

MacBook: 256GB PCIe SSD, upgradeable to 512GB.

MacBook Air: 128 GB, expandable to 256 GB or 512 GB.

MacBook Pro 2015: 13-inch – 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB; 15-inch – 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB.

MacBook Pro 2016: 13-inch – 256 GB, 1 TB; 15-inch – 256 GB, 512 GB, 2 TB.

Ports

MacBook: one USB-C, 3.5mm audio jack.

MacBook Air: two USB port, one Thunderbolt 2 port, an SD memory card slot, and a 3.5 mm audio jack.

MacBook Pro 2015: two USB ports, two Thunderbolt ports, an HDMI port, an SD slot, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

MacBook Pro 2016: two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports for the version without Touch Bar, four Thunderbolt 3 ports for the version with Touch Bar, while on the 13-inch model two of them do not work at full capacity.

Force Touch trackpad and keyboard

Force Touch technology allows you to press with force. To do this, you need to press down on the trackpad and then apply additional force. In this way you can activate additional features many Mac programs and system features. The Force Touch trackpad is available on MacBook and MacBook Pro.

Laptop keyboards are different - the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro 2015 are equipped with conventional keyboards with a mechanism called “scissors”, which has one significant drawback - the keys are slightly loose around the edges. If you press such a key closer to the edge, it may hit the bottom before the mechanism registers the press.

Applies to MacBook and MacBook Pro 2016 new keyboard, which uses a butterfly mechanism. It is a solid element made of more rigid materials with a larger support area. Thanks to this, the keys are more stable, respond more accurately to pressing and at the same time take up less space in height.

Colors

MacBooks are available in different color options. MacBook Air and MacBook Pro 2015 are available in silver, the MacBook is available in four shades (silver, gold, space gray, rose gold), the MacBook Pro 2016 is available in two colors (silver, space gray).

conclusions

The MacBook is perfect for managers and travelers who need the thinnest and lightest laptop with modern technologies for comfortable work.

The MacBook Air will be the choice for those who need the most affordable laptop from Apple - the device still has almost all the necessary ports, but the model itself is quite outdated.

MacBook Pro 2015 is a good and high-quality laptop with all ports, it is suitable as an alternative desktop computer almost any user. Although it is not very convenient for travel.

Well, if you need the most advanced and productive laptop, choose the MacBook Pro 2016 (but remember that the “apple” no longer lights up there, if this is important to you).

The question of choosing a MacBook if you are making such a purchase for the first time is always difficult. It seems that everything is simple - here’s Air, and here’s Pro in two diagonals, 13 and 15 inches. And if you firmly decide that you need a firmware, then deciding on the diagonal will still be easier than choosing between the “air” Air and a model from the Pro line, with a 13-inch diagonal.

Despite some similarities in terms of technical characteristics of the basic models, you need to understand that these are two completely different product lines. If the MacBook Air is intended for those who put mobility at the forefront of everything, and are not ready to overpay, agreeing to some compromises, then the MacBook Pro 13 is for those who care about performance. Even if you have to gain weight and pay an extra few hundred dollars.

Let's take a closer look at in what cases it is worth choosing one or another model, and at the end of the article, we will provide an additional comparison of them based on technical characteristics.

Who needs a MacBook Air?

This is Apple's most affordable full-size laptop, unless you count the 11-inch model, which is too small for work. It weighs little, is quite fast in operation, and can run on battery power for an impressive amount of time - up to 10-12 hours on a single charge!

So, you should choose MacBook Air if:

you have a limited budget, but you, by all means, want to become the owner of an Apple laptop;
practically all of your work consists of tasks of a more office nature; you do not work with resource-intensive tasks such as video or photo processing;
You spend a lot of time traveling, so not only portability is important to you, but also high autonomy.

This is an excellent choice for a student, a journalist, or just a person who needs a laptop for surfing the Internet, office tasks, and using low-resource applications.

When to choose a MacBook Pro

We can say that the MacBook Pro 13 is even better in some ways than its 15-inch brother. After all, with smaller dimensions and weight, you still get the same magnificent retina screen, high performance and a full-size keyboard. And if the screen diagonal is not a critical point for you, you will get real pleasure from using it, at a fairly moderate price for a device of this class.

You should buy a MacBook Pro if:

In addition to stylish design, the issue of performance is no less important for you;
your work involves photo processing, in which case a retina screen will be an excellent solution;
you will have to solve more resource-intensive tasks that require performance comparable to a desktop PC;
the greater number of available ports does not limit the connection of peripherals;
A $200 difference is not a serious argument for you.

When you upgrade to a laptop with a high-definition screen, you will no longer be able to look at regular monitors without crying. For many, choosing between the 13-inch Air and Pro comes down to a question of screen quality. And, believe me, even if we ignore all other factors, the retina screen is worth the difference in price that they ask for it.

Let's compare technical MacBook specifications Air 13, with basic model Pro of a similar diagonal:

So what should you choose?

With the introduction of the 2012 MacBook Pro, Apple made a giant technological leap, compared to other laptop manufacturers. And if then it seemed like a laptop from the future, now it is a current reality, which embodies an impressive balance of functionality, quality materials and design. It's noticeably superior to the Air in most features, and the price difference is only $200.

At the same time, the MacBook Air has changed little since 2010 and is equipped with the same outdated TN+Film matrix. After the release of the 12-inch MacBook in 2015, the future of this line remains unclear. And the only argument in favor of choosing this particular model is that the low price makes it the most affordable option for those who want to become the owner of one of the Apple computers for the first time.

Apple products are rightfully considered to be of the highest quality and in demand in modern world. The thin and compact in appearance, but powerful in their parameters, laptops produced by this company have become especially famous. 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 good macbook, taking into account both your needs and budget capabilities.

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

So, what laptop models 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 sale. Initially, there was also an 11-inch model 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 on business active image life. If you don’t like to sit within four walls and prefer to work on a laptop in a cafe, outdoors, in the country, etc., this lightweight and compact model will suit you best.

The laptop is equipped with a dual-core Core i5 1.6 GHz processor and has 8 GB of RAM. All MacBook Air models come with an integrated HD Graphics 6000 card. The manufacturer promises 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, this capacity reaches 128 GB. At the same time, the $1,199 model has a 256 GB 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 use this laptop on an Ethernet network, you will 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 capable of performing everyday routine tasks, sending and receiving email, providing full Internet access, and working with office applications. It can be used to edit short videos and 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 while on the road or moving from place to place. And also this best option working laptop for freelancer. The MacBook Air is Apple's least expensive laptop, which makes it also attractively priced.

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 intended for people who prefer mobility to all other tasks, including various additional features and productivity. 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 features a dual-core Intel processor Core M is 1.1 GHz and has 256 GB of storage space. The more expensive $1,599 model has the same processor but is clocked at 1.2GHz and has 512GB of storage. Both models have 8 GB of RAM and a built-in Intel HD Graphics 515 card.

This laptop is also equipped with a Retina display, which means it has ultra-high resolution and is able to show clearer images than the MacBook Air, which has a standard display. The standard resolution of a modern Retina display on a MacBook is 2304x1440.

Like previous model, the laptop is equipped 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 use an earlier USB version, you'll need a special USB-C to USB adapter, which costs about $19. And you will also need an adapter to connect to Ethernet ($29 at Apple's 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. In this way, the laptop can also perform all the necessary daily tasks. This model is suitable for those users who do not need to frequently connect external devices, since carrying a whole bunch of adapters with you is not very convenient. At the same time, the laptop is thin, light and perfect for people who are easy-going.

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 a computer, it becomes impossible to see individual pixels.

The laptop is designed for demanding users who pay special attention to performance. On this moment The Pro model is Apple's first most powerful laptop.

There is a whole line of modifications of this laptop.

$1,499 model. Screen 13 inches, dual core processor Core i5 2 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB disk capacity, 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 touch panel - a new product from Apple, which each user can customize for himself by placing the functions he needs.
The next model is priced at $1,999. 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 the amount of disk space; this model has 512 GB. A touchpad is also present.
$2,399 model. This laptop has a larger screen - 15 inches, and a different processor - dual-core Core i7 at 2.6 GHz. The amount of RAM is 16 GB, disk space is 256 GB. There is an integrated Intel HD Graphics 530 card, as well as discrete video card Radeon Pro 450 2 GB. A touch panel is also available.
The $2,799 model is identical to the previous one, except for the following parameters: 2.7 GHz processor frequency, 512 GB disk capacity, discrete Radeon video card Pro

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 perform vary depending on the device you are using. software. Note that the first model in the $1,499 MacBook Pro line doesn't have a Touch Bar, just regular function buttons.

Generally MacBook laptops Pro are the most powerful ever released Apple company. 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 comparison results. In performance testing, the MacBook Pro performs significantly more impressively—it's 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 shows only a slight performance advantage. While working, 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 the best option. This model comes with a Retina display for excellent viewing. The performance of this laptop is also at a good level. 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 provide a serious advantage, but the price varies significantly.

ADVICE. If you need maximum performance, then the choice is obvious; Apple's most powerful laptop is the MacBook Pro for $2,799. If regular computer work only involves accessing the Internet and working in a word processor, then a MacBook Air will be enough for you. Well, if you are not chasing the most modern models, a used MacBook will also suit you.

New or used?

Experience shows that Apple computers have a very long service life due to their good quality. Processor performance has not increased much in recent years. The main changes that are introduced in the new models mainly concern the battery life and various innovative elements such as the touchpad. Therefore, the demand for used equipment from this company does not weaken.

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

To avoid making a mistake when purchasing, you can follow these steps to help you choose a good, functional used MacBook.

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

Instead of making life easier for the user, as Steve Jobs once advocated, Apple seems to be doing the opposite. Take, for example, the MacBook line - now there are three varieties of it (ultra-thin 12-inch, thin Air and powerful Pro), so it is quite difficult for a potential buyer to figure out which laptop to choose. If you are not well versed in the Apple product line or cannot make a choice, we will try to help you with this.

First, let's define the characteristics of Apple laptops:

MacBook is a 12-inch ultra-thin laptop (thickness varies from 0.35 cm to 1.31 cm), weight 0.92 kg.
MacBook Air is a 13-inch thin laptop (thickness from 0.3 cm to 1.7 cm), weight 1.35 kg.
MacBook Pro (in this case we will talk about two versions of laptops) is a powerful, productive laptop with a screen diagonal of 13 and 15 inches, a thickness of 1.49 cm and a weight of 1.37 kg.

Display

This is perhaps one of the most important points to pay attention to when choosing a model. The fact is that the latest Apple laptops are equipped with excellent Retina displays, providing high-quality images with rich colors. The new MacBook screens are much better than most Windows competitors.

Simple arithmetic applies here - the larger the screen, the larger the work area, but also the more you have to carry, and weight can be critical.

If we talk about the MacBook Pro 2016, they have a wider color gamut, so the colors look even brighter and more realistic. Other modifications use standard sRGB screens and display fewer colors than reality. The latest generation MacBook Pros offer a wider P3 color gamut—the color space is 25% wider, and with more colors, images look brighter, more realistic, and allow you to see even more detail. If you take a photo taken on an iPhone and compare it to the exact same photo in HDR, you'll see what we're talking about.

If you want a high-quality picture and don't need a large work area, feel free to choose a MacBook.
For full graphics work, any MacBook Pro is better suited.
If color accuracy is a fundamental issue for you, then we recommend looking towards the MacBook Pro 2016.

External monitors

MacBooks are often used as a portable computer, to which external monitors can be connected if necessary. For example, at home or at work. And here too there are some nuances.

MacBook Air only works with Thunderbolt monitors with a resolution of up to 3840x2160 pixels.

Camera

The 12-inch MacBook has a 480p camera, which is, to put it mildly, rather weak. The remaining models use a camera that shoots in 720p resolution. Even the newest MacBook Pro does not support 1080p front cameras on Apple laptops. Actually, the choice here is simple - if you want high-quality video shooting, buy an additional camera with a USB connection.

CPU

The processor is the second important point that you should pay attention to when choosing a MacBook. Hardware affects performance, and we need to understand what tasks we are buying a laptop for.

The MacBook Pro runs on Skylake (13-inch), the 15-inch version runs on Broadwell. Both laptops, depending on the diagonal, are equipped with a Core i5 (2.7 GHz and 2.8 GHz) or Core i7 (3.1 GHz and 2.8 GHz) processor.

If you want a thin and beautiful laptop but with decent performance, choose the M7-based MacBook.
If you want a portable machine, but with better performance, the MacBook Air.
If you need a powerful laptop for everyday use, the MacBook Pro is your choice.
If you need a top-end laptop for complex tasks like video rendering, you'll have to fork out for a 15-inch MacBook Pro 2016 and forget about upgrading for three years.

Graphic arts

The MacBook uses the simplest Intel HD Graphics 515, which is enough to work on one Retina screen. The MacBook Air runs on HD Graphics 6000, which is better than the MacBook, but still may not be enough to handle complex processes.

The choice here is obvious - to work with multimedia content, you should take a closer look at the MacBook Pro 2015 or MacBook Pro 2016.

Autonomy

Fortunately, the MacBook has no problems with this - all models work without recharging for a very long time.

MacBook: 10 hours of browsing, 11 hours of video playback, 30 days of standby time.
MacBook Air: 12 hours web browsing, 12 hours video playback, 30 days standby time.
MacBook Pro 13 inches: 10 hours of browsing, 12 hours of video playback, 30 days of standby time.
MacBook Pro 15 inches: 9 hours of browsing, 9 hours of video playback, 30 days of standby time.
MacBook Pro 2016: 10 hours of browsing, 10 hours of video playback, 30 days of standby time.

If battery life is a key factor for you, the 13-inch MacBook Air is worth a look.

RAM

The more RAM in a laptop, the more applications you can run simultaneously without reducing performance, process photos or videos.

The MacBook only offers one option: 8GB 1866MHz LPDDR3 memory

The 13-inch MacBook Air also only comes with 8GB of RAM.

MacBook Pro 2015: 8 or 16 GB 1866 MHz LPDDR3 RAM for the 13-inch version. The 15-inch MacBook Pro 2015 has 16 GB of 1600 MHz DDR3L memory.

MacBook Pro 2016: 8 GB 1866 MHz LPDDR3 RAM for the model without Touch Bar, upgradeable to 16 GB. The 2016 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar comes with 8GB or 16GB of 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory. The 15-inch model is offered with 16 GB of 2133 MHz LPDDR3 memory.

If RAM is important to you, choose the MacBook Pro.

SSD drive

MacBook: 256GB PCIe SSD, upgradeable to 512GB.

MacBook Air: 128 GB, expandable to 256 GB or 512 GB.

MacBook Pro 2015: 13-inch – 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB; 15-inch – 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB.

MacBook Pro 2016: 13-inch – 256 GB, 1 TB; 15-inch – 256 GB, 512 GB, 2 TB.

Ports

MacBook: one USB-C, 3.5mm audio jack.

MacBook Air: two USB ports, one Thunderbolt 2 port, SD card slot, and 3.5mm audio jack.

MacBook Pro 2015: two USB ports, two Thunderbolt ports, an HDMI port, an SD slot, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

Force Touch trackpad and keyboard

Force Touch technology allows you to press with force. To do this, you need to press down on the trackpad and then apply additional force. This way you can enable additional features for many Mac programs and system features. The Force Touch trackpad is available on MacBook and MacBook Pro.

The 2016 MacBook and MacBook Pro feature a new keyboard that uses a butterfly mechanism. It is a solid element made of more rigid materials with a larger support area. Thanks to this, the keys are more stable, respond more accurately to pressing and at the same time take up less space in height.

Colors

conclusions

The MacBook is perfect for managers and travelers who need the thinnest and lightest laptop possible with modern technologies for comfortable work.

The MacBook Air will be the choice for those who need the most affordable laptop from Apple - the device still has almost all the necessary ports, but the model itself is quite outdated.

MacBook Pro 2015 is a good and high-quality laptop with all ports; it is suitable as an alternative to a desktop computer for almost any user. Although it is not very convenient for travel.

Well, if you need the most advanced and productive laptop, choose the MacBook Pro 2016 (but remember that the “apple” no longer lights up there, if this is important to you).

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