What is the difference between Macbook Air and Macbook Pro. Which MacBook should you buy now? Detailed comparison of features and prices Better macbook air or pro

We've been waiting five long years for an update to the MacBook Pro line. Finally, Apple has matured and introduced three new laptops at once: one without the Touch Bar and two with it. 13 inches and 15 inches, price: from 119,990 rubles to 349,590 rubles.

At the same time, the company stopped selling the MacBook Air with a screen diagonal of 11 inches. A logical question arose - which Apple laptop to pay attention to now?

Here you will find many comparison tables with prices and options for choosing a particular model. All of these models are available for order in the official Apple online store. Which one to choose, I believe, you can understand after comparing each model.

In the assortment of Apple today:

• 7 models
• 97 modifications

Note: if you tap on each table, it will open in a larger resolution and there you can see all the characteristics “under a magnifying glass”.

MacBook 2016

Verdict: The updated model of last year is perfect for typing and simple photo editing. This model is clearly not for games and intensive loads.

Macbook Air 2015 13''

Verdict: A frankly weak screen and a thickness that is now inferior to the entire line with the exception of last year's MacBook Pro. Buying a MacBook Air in 2016 is simply illogical. The only plus is the lowest price among all models, but it would be more logical to buy a MacBook.

MacBook Pro 2015 13''

Verdict: The 15-inch model is no longer available and Apple is exclusively offering the 13-inch version without discrete graphics. Choosing the Pro model, I recommend stopping at the version with 16 GB of RAM. The price tag here starts from 123,790 rubles for a model with a 128-gigabyte drive.

Macbook Pro 2015 15"

Verdict: An excellent productive laptop that has all the necessary ports, a gorgeous Retina screen and a powerful processor, the clock speed of which in the top configuration exceeds even the characteristics of new products. Curiously, models with a discrete graphics card were withdrawn from sale.

MacBook Pro 2016 13'' (without Touch Bar)

Verdict: The youngest model of the updated MacBook Pro, which is positioned as a more productive alternative to the MacBook Air. And he wins in everything: from the screen to the processor and memory. Please note that RAM is somewhat slower than Touch Bar models, but if you don't need a touch bar, then you can save from 30,000 rubles already on the basic version.

MacBook Pro 2016 13'' (with Touch Bar)

Verdict: Junior model with OLED Touch Bar. Integrated video card, Intel Iris Graphics 550: suitable for games, but don't expect miracles. The option with an average drive and 16 GB of RAM will save you from the torment of choosing a laptop for several years.

MacBook Pro 2016 15''(with Touch Bar)

Verdict: The flagship model is a laptop option for either the obsessive designer or the person who won't realize they've spent £349,000. The lion's share of the cost is taken away by the SSD drive: in the top configuration, its cost exceeds 100,000 rubles, but the feasibility of such an investment is still in question. The average model varies in the price range from 231 to 282 thousand rubles and depends on the size of the drive and processor power. All 2016 15-inch MacBook Pro models ship with 16GB of RAM.

Outcome

Without many words…

Author's humble opinion

I have a 2014 15-inch MacBook Pro with integrated Intel Iris Pro graphics and 16GB of RAM. I don’t see the point in buying a new Pro and I won’t do it. If the question of buying was open now, I would rather prefer the 15-inch MacBook Pro of 2015 in the top configuration with discrete graphics.

Why? First, we already understood the marketing ploy about a 130% performance increase in the new MacBook Pro:

Have you noticed how the MacBook line has grown over the past few years? Previously, you had to choose between the powerful Pro and the compact Air. Now there are five (!) laptops in the lineup and about a dozen modifications.

It is not easy even for fans to understand them, what to say about new users. I will try to ease the agony of choice and tell you which MacBook to choose in 2018.

Macbook Air

The MacBook Air is the most affordable yet controversial laptop in the lineup.

The design has not changed for six years, but it still looks fresh. The brushed aluminum chassis is beautifully built and, by the way, is stronger than current MacBooks. We must try to damage or scratch it. The new MacBooks have become much softer, so they are overgrown with chips from scratch.

The MacBook Air weighs just over a kilogram, so you can carry it with you at least all day and work where it is convenient. Despite the compact size, autonomy is consistently enough for 10-12 hours. You can easily work with photos and texts, even edit simple videos.

The usual ports are in place. There is a pair of USB and an SD card slot, which is missing in the new Pros.

The last (but not least) argument in favor of the MacBook Air is the price. This is the most affordable Apple laptop and, in my opinion, the best option in the segment under 70 thousand rubles. Prices for new MacBooks start at 100 thousand, and not everyone can afford them.

However, if you decide that the MacBook Air is the perfect laptop, take your time.

The MacBook Air has an outdated display with a resolution of 1440 × 900 pixels in every sense. Eyes quickly get tired of it, the picture is faded and grainy. After the new Pro, you won’t look without tears.

The second drawback is the old keyboard and trackpad without Force Touch. Printing on the "butterfly" is more convenient and faster. You get used to the small travel of the keys, and you don’t want to go back.

I don't recommend getting a MacBook Air. It has a frankly bad screen, an old keyboard and not the thinnest and lightest case. New models bypass it in these parameters. The main advantage is the lowest price among all MacBooks. But you are obviously buying an outdated device. I am sure that after the summer presentation of the MacBook Air will be removed from sale and it will go down in history.

If you need a small laptop, pay attention to the following model.

macbook

macworld.com

Next in line is the MacBook. Just a MacBook.

If the MacBook Air is compact, then the MacBook is tiny. It weighs 900 grams, sometimes you check if you forgot to take it with you. Smaller than the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Such super-mobility makes it indispensable for business trips and traveling. You can comfortably work in a train, car - yes, anywhere.

The screen on the MacBook is excellent and second only to the Pro models. Diagonal - 12 inches, resolution - 2304 × 1440 pixels, thin frames around. The picture is bright and rich, watching movies and editing photos is a pleasure. It is curious that the baby has an impressive autonomy - an average of 8-9 hours. During the working day, you can forget about the outlet.

The MacBook is passively cooled. There are no coolers, so it works silently. Heats up slightly, only in the most resource-intensive applications.

The MacBook is the first Apple laptop to feature a butterfly keyboard. I got used to it quickly, I like the small key travel, and now it's inconvenient to work on another keyboard. It seems like the fingers are falling through.

thenextweb.com

When Apple introduced the first generation of the MacBook in 2015, many didn't take it seriously. Small, weak processor, only one USB-C port. "Dear typewriter" - that's what they called him. For me, it was the main computer that handled all the tasks. I often went on business trips, wrote posts on the road, processed photos.

Of course, he was inferior in speed to the MacBook Pro, but this is the case when size matters. In 2017, the third generation was introduced with two processors - the mobile m3 and the "adult" i5. The laptop noticeably increased in speed and learned to easily cope with heavy software.

I solved the problem of a single port by purchasing a 27-inch monitor with USB-C. On the road, the laptop remains small and convenient, and at home I work in front of a large screen. I connect the peripherals directly to the monitor, for this there is a pair of USB. In the process, the monitor also charges the MacBook. All this through a single USB-C port - here it is, the wireless future.

The only drawback of the MacBook is the high price. It costs like a MacBook Pro 13 without Touch Bar. If performance and number of ports are more important, pay attention to it.

If you need a mobile, nimble and beautiful laptop, the MacBook is the best choice.

MacBook Pro 13 without Touch Bar

The youngest model in the Apple line of professional laptops. He was introduced as the successor to the MacBook Air. It's smaller, more powerful, with a new keyboard and a stunning display. It differs from older models, in fact, by the number of ports and the lack of a Touch Bar.

A pair of USB-C is enough to connect a monitor and accessories. But the lack of an SD card slot, a fingerprint scanner and a discrete graphics processor will be written down as a minus.

If the MacBook is a fashion thing, then the MacBook Pro 13 without Touch Bar is a practical option: it covers most of the tasks of the average user.

Is it worth overpaying about 20 thousand rubles for a model with? I think no.

MacBook Pro 13 with Touch Bar

The MacBook Pro 13 with Touch Bar might seem like the perfect laptop. Good hardware, a cool screen with extended color gamut, four Thunderbolt 3 ports, a fingerprint scanner and a Touch Bar.

But in 2017, Apple reduced the battery capacity from 5,800 to 4,300 mAh, which crossed out the advantages of a laptop. The battery lasts for a maximum of five hours, which is absurd for a working tool.

Is there any sense from the Touch Bar? Probably not. You can find an application, and you will find it, it was not in vain that you overpaid. But it does not make the workflow more convenient. Think of it as a nice addition, not a reason to buy a laptop.

I do not recommend buying a 2017 MacBook Pro 13 with Touch Bar. It is better to take the version without the Touch Bar or the 2016 model with a more capacious battery.

Macbook Pro 15

Versatile laptop for any task. Already in the basic configuration - a quad-core i7 with a frequency of 2.8 GHz, 16 GB of RAM, Radeon Pro 555 graphics with 2 GB of memory and Intel HD Graphics 630. Depending on the tasks, the graphics processor automatically switches. In the top version, there is a Radeon Pro 560 already with 4 GB, but you will have to pay about 30 thousand rubles.

Prices for the MacBook Pro 15 are terrible, but they choose it for specific tasks. This solution is not for everyone, but it is worth the money.

It has a stunning 15.4-inch 2,880 x 1,800-pixel display, a giant trackpad, and great sound. With such speakers, the need for additional acoustics is eliminated.

The battery, fortunately, has not changed compared to last year and holds an honest 6-7 hours.

The only downside is the lack of an SD card slot. Why he did not find a place in the Pro models remains a mystery to me.

Verdict

• macbook- a beautiful thin laptop for those who care about mobility. A great solution for working with text or editing photos on the go.
• MacBook Pro 13 without Touch Bar- for those who do not have enough performance of a regular MacBook and one port, but want to have a small and light laptop. A worthy replacement for the MacBook Air.
• Macbook Pro 15- a professional tool for which you have to pay a considerable amount. He will cope with any task, whether it is working with graphics or photography. At the same time, it remains a compact and thin laptop.

I definitely do not recommend buying a MacBook Air. And think twice about whether it's worth paying extra for a MacBook Pro 13 with Touch Bar.

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

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

Let's take a closer look at when it is worth stopping at one or another model, and at the end of the article, we will draw an additional comparison of them, according to technical characteristics.

Who needs a MacBook Air?

It's Apple's most affordable full-sized laptop outside of the 11-inch model, as it's too small for work. It weighs little, is quite nimble in operation, and can run an impressive battery life - up to 10-12 hours from a single charge!

So, you should choose a MacBook Air if:

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

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

When to Choose a MacBook Pro

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

Buying a MacBook Pro is worth it if:

• in addition to stylish design, the issue of performance is no less important to you;
• your work is related to photo processing, in this case, a retina screen will be a great solution;
• you have to solve more resource-intensive tasks that require performance comparable to a desktop PC;
• a larger number of available ports does not limit in terms of connecting peripherals;
• $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 ordinary monitors without tears of pity. For many, the choice between the 13-inch Air and Pro comes down to screen quality. And, believe me, even if we discard all other factors, the retina screen is worth the price difference that is asked for it.

Let's compare the technical specifications of the MacBook Air 13 with the base Pro model of the same diagonal:

So what to choose?

With the introduction of the 2012 MacBook Pro, Apple has made a giant technological leap compared to other laptop manufacturers. And if then it seemed like a laptop from the future, now it is an actual reality, which is the embodiment of an impressive balance of functionality, quality of materials and design. It noticeably outperforms 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 type matrix. With the release of the 12-inch MacBook in 2015, the future of this line remains uncertain. 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 knows perfectly well how to get a person hooked on their equipment, and shamelessly use it. Anyone who once fell in love with a MacBook and got used to working on it is unlikely to return to Windows. Despite the fact that the Microsoft system has been getting prettier from year to year, after OS X and macOS it still seems too complicated, slow and not aesthetically pleasing. There are different periods in life: sometimes we can afford a brand new MacBook in a top-end configuration, sometimes we can’t, but despite this, we don’t want to return to the Microsoft operating system.

When buying a new MacBook isn't an option, it's time to look into the used market and grab a used laptop for a sweet price. This is generally not difficult to do, but there are nuances that we will talk about today.

⇡ Why buy a used MacBook at all?

First, it's cheaper. New MacBook Pro models in Russia cost from 110 thousand rubles for the younger 13-inch model to 233 thousand rubles for the older 15-inch model, and this is without additional upgrades such as choosing an Intel Core i9 processor, increasing the amount of RAM or built-in SSD capacity. Obviously, not everyone can afford such expenses, while a used MacBook Pro in excellent condition can be bought for 60 rubles - and it will serve you well for several more years.

Secondly, many are not ready to put up with the features of the new MacBook Pro, which are called the most unfortunate in Apple's history. The new MacBooks, MacBook Airs, and MacBook Pros have a lot of flaws that Apple hasn't been able to—or maybe didn't want to—fix in three years. The most obvious and most discussed of these is the keyboard. While the short travel of the keys could be used to, the double actuations and quick failure of the buttons as a result of dust intrusion drove users into a frenzy. And although there are enough reviews on the Web in the spirit of “well, I don’t know, everything works for me,” there really is a problem, and Apple really does not know how to deal with it. The keyboard with the butterfly mechanism has already been modified three times - but this did not completely eliminate the problems. So many people prefer the more reliable and time-tested MacBook Pros of previous generations: thicker, but with a normal keyboard and a large selection of connectors.

Thirdly, although this follows from the previous paragraph, Apple laptops of previous generations allow you to fix minor breakdowns without any problems. You can replace the keyboard, trackpad, battery, SSD, I/O board and so on. But the maintainability of the new generation MacBook Pro is much worse - the guys from iFixit rated it 1 point out of 10. And this could be put up with if the price of devices for the end user was reduced, but no - the MacBook Pro is only getting more expensive.

What MacBook Models Should You Look At First?

Any MacBook model, including the oldest ones, definitely deserves attention as a piece for a collection or simply as an example of beautiful design. But if we consider a laptop as a tool for work or a universal computer for every day, then the oldest models disappear - the performance of many of them is no longer enough, their set of interfaces is outdated, and besides, they are not supported by new versions of OS X and macOS. This narrows the selection a bit - and makes it easier to choose. Of course, the full list of models is on the Apple website. Here, for example, you will find all MacBook Pros, - MacBook Airs, and here - just MacBooks.

⇡ Second generation MacBook Pro

Models of 2008-2012 in thick unibody cases were produced with three screen sizes - 13, 15 and 17 inches - and were, in general, good for everyone. They came out in thicker cases compared to the Retina generation and were equipped with built-in optical drives. Today, hardly anyone needs such a drive, but its presence opens up certain upgrade opportunities. For example, you can replace it with a capacious hard drive, and change the main hard drive to an SSD and get a noticeable increase in speed and in the amount of available storage space.

However, this generation is no longer young, so of these MacBook Pros, only the late 2011 15- and 17-inch models deserve attention. For those who want to buy a 17-inch Apple laptop, this is generally the only option. Older models on Core 2 Duo processors can no longer be considered today.

Thus, we are looking at the MacBook Pro 17 Late 2011 (MacBookPro8,3, part number MD311xx/A) and the MacBook Pro 15 Late 2011 (MacBookPro8,2, part numbers MD322xx/A and MD318xx/A). These models are especially respected by film photographers due to the presence of the FireWire 800 port, which is necessary for working with older film scanners. Well, as for hardware, then, depending on the configuration, you will get quad-core Intel Core i7 processors with a frequency of 2.2 or 2.4 GHz, 4 or 8 GB of RAM, and a 500 or 750 GB hard drive. Memory modules can be easily replaced on your own, so there is no point in chasing the most sophisticated configuration from the very beginning, especially since there are quite a few such laptops on sale.

Yes, today it is perhaps the most affordable version of the MacBook Pro. So, the 15-inch model of 2011 in the secondary market costs from 16 to 27 thousand rubles, depending on the condition. Paying more for it is only in exceptional cases (maximum possible configuration, perfect condition). Well, a 17-inch MacBook Pro of 2011 will cost you 25-40 thousand rubles, judging by current offers at flea markets, but you probably shouldn't pay more than 30 thousand rubles for such a laptop. This would be impractical.

⇡ 3rd generation MacBook Pro with Retina display

These are some of the most successful Apple computers ever. There was no longer a 17-inch model - Apple left only diagonals of 13 and 15 inches. The third generation was produced from mid-2012 to the end of 2015. Now I would not advise taking the Mid 2012 and Early 2013 models - it doesn’t matter if they are 13 or 15 inches, but the MacBook Pro Late 2013 and Mid 2014 on Intel Haswell processors are an excellent choice.

First of all, we look at the following MacBook Pro 15 Retina: MacBookPro11,2, article ME293xx/A, and MacBookPro11,3, article ME294xx/A. It's just the end of 2013 and we're only looking at 15-inch models here. In the mid-2014 model range, we are interested in the MacBook Pro 13 Retina - MacBookPro11.1, article numbers MGX72xx/A, MGX82xx/A, MGX92xx/A, as well as the MacBook Pro 15 Retina - MacBookPro11.2 and MacBookPro11.3, article numbers MGXC2xx/A and MGXA2xx/A. From the latest update - Early 2015 and Mid 2015 - you can take absolutely any model. And as usual, the more sophisticated configuration, the better.

Keep in mind that you can no longer increase the amount of RAM on your own, as is the case with the second-generation MacBook Pro, but the available 16 GB should be enough for a long time. But you can still replace the SSD, so if you have a good deal, you should take a computer with a smaller amount of drive, and then install a more capacious one yourself or at a service center. The procedure is simple, fast and inexpensive. Returning to specific models, we write the following. For MacBook Pro 13 Retina Early 2015 (MacBookPro12,1) these are MF839xx/A, MF840xx/A, MF841xx/A, MF843xx/A, and for MacBook Pro 15 Mid 2015 (MacBookPro11,4 and MacBookPro11,5) these are MJLQ2xx/ A and MJLT2xx/A, MJLU2xx/A respectively.

The main thing that separates the 2014 MacBook Pro from the 2015 MacBook Pro is the ForceTouch-enabled trackpad. In the off state, it is not pressed in any way, and when it is on, it is “pressed” anywhere: there is no physical pressing, but the finger feels tactile feedback. On the 2014 models, the trackpad is pressed only at the bottom (both on and off), and here we have a physical click.

It's important to be aware of some issues with the second generation MacBook Pro. So, for example, the 2014 and 2015 MacBook Pro Retina samples peel off the anti-glare coating on the screen over time. Apple offered a free repair of this defect in authorized service centers, but with time limits. For example, for my MacBook Pro Mid 2014, bought in 2015, this program has already ended, and I had to fix this defect at my own expense. Fortunately, the procedure is simple and inexpensive. But the MacBook Pro Mid 2015 is at risk of swelling (or even exploding) of the battery due to overheating - we recently. Be sure to check with the seller if the battery has been replaced by Apple or an authorized service center, and if not, then feel free to ask for a discount, since you will have to replace the battery anyway.

Well, here, perhaps, I will say a few words about why you should not take the latest generation MacBook Pro (starting from 2016). In addition to all the shortcomings of the keyboard with the "butterfly" mechanism, they had problems with the screen cable - if you open and close the lid many times, the cable frayed, which affected the operation of the screen backlight, and then led to a complete shutdown of the display. However, in the latest generation models (2019), this moment has been corrected, and the keyboard has received protective membranes (this is already its third generation), but it is better to buy such a laptop new. If you do it in Russia, then you will also have a two-year warranty. So if any other problems suddenly appear, Apple will fix them for free for a little longer. With the service, the company is traditionally doing well, the failed part is replaced with a new one, the service standards are the highest.

About prices: 13-inch MacBook Pro 2013 should cost about 30 thousand rubles, but for top-end configurations they ask for 40-45 thousand rubles. The 2014 models will cost a little more, although the difference in price is small. 15-inch MacBook Pro 2014 today cost from 45 to 55 thousand rubles, and 2015 - up to 65 thousand rubles. Be sure to check the price range in different cities: it may turn out to be more profitable to go to a neighboring city and buy a laptop there. Well, the maximum price among the entire sample is possible only in exceptional cases (ideal appearance, new or almost new battery, top-end configuration, and so on).

⇡MacBook Air

The MacBook Air is now in its third global update. As with the MacBook Pro, first generation devices can be dismissed altogether. In the case of Air, they were produced from 2008 to 2010. We are interested in second generation devices, namely Mid 2012 and newer models. MacBook Air 11 Mid 2012 is the model code MacBookAir5,1 and part numbers MD223xx/A, MD224xx/A, MacBook Air 13 Mid 2012 is MacBookAir5,2 and part numbers MD231xx/A, MD232xx/A. The most obvious external difference from the 2011 models, which are produced in the same cases, will be the MagSafe 2 connector - it is narrower than the original one.

The picture shows a MacBook Pro, but don't be fooled: on the MacBook Air, these connectors look exactly the same - the new one is noticeably narrower and longer.

One of the biggest weaknesses of early MacBook Airs was their short battery life, but since the 2013 and 2014 updates, they've almost matched that of the MacBook Pro. Plus, there is support for AirDrop, Continuity and other Apple software chips. So, the oldest models that can be considered for purchase will be the MacBook Air Mid 2013 and Early 2014.

MacBook Air 11 Mid 2013 is MacBookAir6,1 and part numbers MD711xx/A, MD712xx/A. Well, the 13-inch model of the middle of 2013 is the MacBookAir6,2 and the articles MD760xx/A, MD761xx/A. Early 2014 MacBook Air 11 and 13-inch models retain the same model codes, MacBookAir6.1 and MacBookAir6.2, respectively. But the articles are different - MD711xx / B, MD712xx / B for the 11-inch MacBook Air and MD760xx / B, MD761xx / B for the 13-inch.

A 2015 or 2017 MacBook Air is definitely the better choice. In 2015, Apple updated both the 11- and 13-inch models, looking at the MacBookAir7.1 (this is the 11-inch version) with part numbers MJVM2xx/A and MJVP2xx/A and the MacBookAir7.2 (this is the 13-inch version) with part numbers MJVE2xx /A, MJVG2xx/A, MMGF2xx/A, MMGG2xx/A.

The most sudden and most modest update of the MacBook Air was the 13-inch model of 2017 with the same code - MacBookAir7,2 - and the article numbers MQD32xx/A, MQD42xx/A, MQD52xx/A. You can also take it with confidence.

Keep in mind that the MacBook Air didn't come with Retina displays other than the latest generation, which came out in 2018, and they didn't get ForceTouch-enabled trackpads either. These attributes are common to new generations of MacBook Pro, the 2018 and 2019 MacBook Air, and the 12-inch MacBook that was released between 2015 and 2017.

Now for the pricing: The 2012 11-inch MacBook Air is one of Apple's most affordable laptops right now. It can be bought at a price of about 20 thousand rubles, and if you're lucky, you can get a decent copy even for 17-18 thousand rubles. For the 2013 model, you will have to pay 3-5 thousand rubles more. The 13-inch MacBook Air of 2012 costs an average of 20-30 thousand rubles - I think that until the end of 2019 you can focus on the figure of 25 thousand rubles. For the MacBook Air 13 2015, you will have to pay 30-40 thousand rubles, and a model with a similar diagonal of 2017 will cost about 45 thousand rubles.

⇡ Macbook

Back in the days of the second-generation MacBook Pro (thick unibody, optical drive, non-Retina screen), Apple released the classic MacBook in a white plastic case. So, today you should not take any of these laptops, they are all hopelessly outdated. The new history of the MacBook began in 2015 - many thought that in this way Apple wants to say goodbye to the MacBook Air line, but this did not happen. All in all, a 12-inch aluminum MacBook can now be found at quite tempting prices, and it's a good option for a student typewriter. Small, light, stylish and long enough (especially given the size) battery life.

Best viewed on Early 2016 MacBooks, part numbers MLH72xx/A, MLH82xx/A, MLHA2xx/A, MLHC2xx/A, MLHE2xx/A, MLHF2xx/A, MMGL2xx/A, MMGM2xx/A, and MacBook Mid 2017, part numbers MNYF2XX/ A, MNYG2XX/A, MNYH2XX/A, MNYJ2XX/A, MNYK2XX/A, MNYL2XX/A, MNYM2XX/A, MNYN2XX/A. The weakest point of any of these MacBooks is the butterfly keyboard: it can fail with minimal dust. The 2017 models have a second-generation keyboard that's a little more reliable, but still pretty unfortunate. Keep this in mind and don't count on the same durability as the older MacBook Air or third-generation MacBook Pro with Retina display.

Oddly enough, the MacBook Early 2016 is not very common on the secondary market - the model is still quite new. Estimated price - 50 thousand rubles. As you can see, for the money you can buy more sophisticated MacBook Pros, so only look at a 12-inch MacBook if size is the most important factor. As for the 2017 model, there are also very few of them on sale, and for those that are, they ask an average of 55 thousand rubles.

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 as many as three varieties (ultra-slim 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 - 12-inch ultra-thin laptop (thickness varies from 0.35 cm to 1.31 cm), weight 0.92 kg.
• MacBook Air - 13-inch thin laptop (0.3 cm to 1.7 cm thick), weight 1.35 kg.
• MacBook Pro (in this case we will talk about two versions of laptops at once) 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 that you need to pay attention to when choosing a model. The fact is that the latest Apple laptops are equipped with excellent Retina displays that provide a high-quality picture with rich colors. The image on the screens of the new MacBooks is much better than most Windows competitors.

Simple arithmetic applies here - the larger the screen, the larger the work area will be, but the more you will have to wear, and weight can be crucial.

The MacBook is equipped with a 12-inch 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 cannot see the pixels with the naked eye, and the picture quality will pleasantly surprise you.

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

The MacBook Pro comes in 13-inch 2560 x 1600 (16:10) 227 ppi or 15-inch 2880 x 1800 (16:10) 220 ppi. Both screens also belong to the Retina category.

If we talk about the MacBook Pro 2016, they received a wider color gamut, so the colors look even brighter and more realistic. Other modifications use standard screens with sRGB color space and display fewer colors compared to reality. The latest generation of 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 details. If you take a photo taken on an iPhone and compare it to the exact same one but in HDR, you'll see what I'm talking about.

• If you want a high-quality picture, and at the same time do not need a large working area, feel free to choose a MacBook.
• For full-fledged work with graphics, any MacBook Pro is better.
• If color accuracy is a key point for you, then we recommend looking towards the MacBook Pro 2016.

External monitors

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

The MacBook can be connected to the monitor via USB-C, or via HDMI (with an adapter). Here it should be noted right away that at the same time you will not be able to charge the laptop, since it has only 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 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 (two are possible at once), but if you bought a top-end package (with AMD Radeon R9 M370X), then you can connect a monitor 5120x2880 pixels (60 Hz). "Proshka" also works with displays with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 (60 Hz), 3840 × 2160 (30 Hz) and 4096 × 2160 (24 Hz).

The 13-inch MacBook Pro 2016 supports 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 a MacBook Pro.

Camera

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

The 12-inch MacBook has a 480p camera, which is rather weak to say the least. The rest of the models use a camera that shoots in 720p resolution. Even in the latest MacBook Pro - 1080p, the front cameras of Apple laptops do not support. Actually, the choice here is simple - if you want high-quality video recording, 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 buy a laptop for.

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 the Core i5 or i7. On the other hand, this processor does not need a fan, and the smallest MacBook is absolutely silent. Apple offers configurations with M3, M5 or M7 chips - they differ in performance, but not much.

The MacBook Air uses an outdated Broadwell architecture chip, but it's 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 with a Core i5 (2.7 GHz and 2.8 GHz) or Core i7 (3.1 GHz and 2.8 GHz) processor.

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

• If you're looking for a laptop that's thin and beautiful, but with decent performance, look no further than the M7-based MacBook.
• If you want a portable machine but with better performance, the MacBook Air is the one to go for.
• If you need a powerful laptop for everyday use, the MacBook Pro is your choice.
• If you need a top-of-the-line laptop for complex tasks like video rendering, you'll have to shell out for a 15-inch MacBook Pro 2016 and forget about a three-year upgrade.

Graphic arts

Apple laptops do not have super-powerful graphics, and it is unlikely that you will 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 graphics 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 might not be enough to handle complex processes.

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

The 2016 13-inch MacBook Pro features Intel Iris Graphics 540 (non-Touch Bar model) and Intel Iris Graphics 550 (with Touch Bar), upgradable to Radeon Pro 450/460. 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 look at the MacBook Pro 2015 or MacBook Pro 2016.

autonomy

Everyone understands how important laptop battery life is. You are flying in an airplane, riding a train or bus, or even just sitting with a laptop in the park - usually these “last” 15-20 minutes are not enough to finish an important report, finish a presentation, watch an interesting video. Wherever we need a working computer, and there are no outlets nearby, an additional plus for the laptop's autonomy will not be superfluous.

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

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

If battery life is key to 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 performance degradation, process photos or videos.

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

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

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

2016 MacBook Pro: 8GB 1866MHz LPDDR3 RAM non-Touch Bar model, upgradable to 16GB. The 2016 13" 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 you care about RAM, choose a MacBook Pro.

SSD

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

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

MacBook Pro 2015: 13-inch - 128GB, 256GB, 512GB; 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, an SD memory card slot, and a 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.

2016 MacBook Pro: Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports for the non-Touch Bar version, four Thunderbolt 3 ports for the Touch Bar version, with two of them underperforming on the 13-inch model.

Force Touch trackpad and keyboard

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

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

The 2016 MacBook and MacBook Pro feature a new keyboard that uses a butterfly mechanism. It is a one-piece element made of stiffer materials, with a larger footprint. 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 offered in a variety of colors. MacBook Air and MacBook Pro 2015 are available in silver, MacBook is available in four colors (silver, gold, space gray, rose gold), MacBook Pro 2016 is available in two colors (silver, space gray).

conclusions

The MacBook is perfect for business executives and travelers looking for the thinnest, lightest laptop with the latest technology for a comfortable work experience.

The MacBook Air will be the choice for those who want the most affordable laptop from Apple - the device 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 the 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 "bull's eye" no longer shines there, if this is important for you).