At the end of 2015 / beginning of 2016, the lineup is represented by six devices, and if the Cupertino companies do not plan to reduce and replace individual products, it will soon become very difficult to navigate it. We will describe below how it is most convenient to do this in the realities of today.
Types of Apple laptops
macbook
Main characteristics:
12 inch Retina display (high resolution screen). The laptop is available in 3 colors: silver, gold and space gray. Apple's thinnest and lightest laptop. The trackpad is equipped with Force Touch technology (recognizes the force of pressing). The laptop lacks the usual USB ports (USB-C interface is used for recharging and data transfer). Your Macbook is equipped with a dual-core Intel Core M processor clocked at 1.1GHz, 1.2GHz, or 1.3GHz (Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz). The amount of RAM is 8 GB. Flash drive up to 512 GB
Main characteristics:
Available with 11" or 13" non-Retina display. Ports: two USB 3 and one Thunderbolt 2. Silver color. Macbook Air is equipped with a 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor or a 2.2GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz). The amount of RAM is 4 GB or 8 GB. Flash drive up to 512 GB.
Main characteristics:
Apple's most productive laptop. Available in three versions: 13-inch or 15-inch Retina display and 13-inch non-Retina display. Retina MacBooks are equipped with a trackpad with Force Touch technology (recognizes the force of pressing). Ports: two USB 3 and two Thunderbolt 2.
Macbook Pro 13" equipped with a dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with a clock speed of 2.5 GHz (Turbo Boost up to 3.1 GHz). The color is silver. The amount of RAM is 4 GB. Hard disk 5400 rpm with a capacity of 500 GB.
Macbook Pro with 13-inch Retina display Equipped with a 2.7GHz or 2.9GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor or a 3.1GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.4GHz). The color is silver. The amount of RAM is up to 16 GB. Flash drive up to 1 TB.
Macbook Pro with 15-inch Retina display Equipped with a 4-core Intel Core i7 processor clocked at 2.2GHz, 2.5GHz, or 2.8GHz (Turbo Boost up to 4.0GHz).
The color is silver. The amount of RAM is up to 16 GB. Flash drive up to 1 TB.
From the list proposed by Apple, you can immediately remove two models, 11" MacBook Air And 13" MacBook Pro, version without Retina display. The reasons are more than prosaic, both configurations have long since become obsolete morally, and in fact already physically. You involuntarily want to wonder why Apple has not yet withdrawn them from sale? The Pro series laptop is equipped with a frankly old type of processor, a primitive by today's standards mechanical hard drive with a rotation speed of 5400 rpm and a screen whose resolution rests on the ceiling of 1280 × 800 pixels. Quite a good configuration for a budget workstation, but the gadget seems to have to compete with more powerful machines, which this model is clearly not capable of.
With the 11-inch MacBook Air, everything is easier - it was initially deliberately kept in the shadow of a prestigious brother with a more spacious display. A kind of unequivocal offer for those who are short of money, but certainly want to own a branded laptop from an apple brand. Previously, before the mass introduction of Retina screens, this approach was more than justified, but after the release of the new 12-inch MacBook, and then the iPad Pro and 27-inch iMac with incredible performance displays, all this is a thing of the past. Apple has clearly set a course for the development of promising monitor families - old, budget laptops simply do not fit into the new paradigm.
Advantages and disadvantages of the MacBook model
The newest, most advanced and prettiest, lightest and thinnest member of the lineup. The 2015 MacBook is a silent, innovative and ambitious forerunner of the laptops of the near future. As you can see, just two sentences are enough to describe the strengths of this device, but studying the cons will take more time. For example, a specially designed battery, spread out in an ultra-thin case, provides the gadget with only 9 hours of battery life. Compare - similar in configuration and price. The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display and the 13-inch MacBook Air last 10 and 12 hours, respectively.
The Intel Core M processor used is designed with an emphasis on extremely low power consumption, which promises not so much low battery consumption as the absence of catastrophic heating. That's why we managed to abandon conditionally noisy fans in favor of passive cooling. The victim of this decision was a significant decrease in performance, which reaches only 60% of the actual performance of conventional, non-mobile 5th generation Intel Core processors.
Not yet a disaster, but coupled with the Intel HD 5300 graphics module, which has the status of one of the slowest integrated solutions of our time, is already a reason to think. The test results, as always, are contradictory enough to leave room for discussion and maneuver. And when comparing with products from other companies, you need to take into account the difference in the API of the Windows and OS X families - the former tend to use the DirectX package, the latter are adapted for OpenGL. And yet, the latest MacBook with a certain probability will yield to its brothers in everything that concerns the performance of truly serious tasks.
There is a snag with the operation of the most advanced, but the only USB-C port. Double-sided, high-speed, versatile, and at the same time almost useless in the absence of an adapter - interaction with peripherals in the case of the MacBook, contrary to the assurances of marketers, forces users to be inventive. Here is such discomfort at your own expense.
Macbook specs and price (click to enlarge)
Fair criticism of the 15-inch MacBook Pro
Before us is the most productive representative of the family of mobile Mac computers - this is a fact. If other models to some extent compete with each other, having characteristics that intersect in a number of parameters, then the 15-inch "professional" laptop clearly looks down on these disputes. If you need to get a powerful and transportable Apple workstation, the choice would seem obvious. However, there is one "but".
Well built overall, the 15-inch MacBook Pro is powered by 4th, not even 5th generation Intel Core processors. Meanwhile, last September it became known for certain about the upcoming transfer of promising products of the apple company to the use of Skylake chips. And for sure, the top-end laptop is waiting for a massive redesign, during which everything old, including the AMD Radeon R9 M370X GPU, will be replaced with a new and advanced one.
This will naturally lead to a colossal overall performance increase for a mobile device and, it is possible, new records in specific tests. So does it make sense to spend a considerable amount of money if the model becomes obsolete within a few months? If a solid laptop with your favorite logo is needed here and now, then yes, it does. And vice versa - such funds can be disposed of in a more interesting way.
Specifications and price of Macbook Pro (click to enlarge)
Final duel - MacBook Air 13 vs. MacBook Pro 13
The deep meaning of the term "Air" - "airy, weightless", has been thoroughly discredited by the achievements of Cupertino engineers in recent years. Because the market has been on the market for half a year since the MacBook came out without any prefixes in the name, which is much easier. And the representatives of the Pro family are so “thinner” that only the 15-inch model is noticeably different from the Air brothers. As for the 13-inch MacBook Pro, the difference of 0.5 kg of weight is noticeable only while holding it in your hands. But inside a bag or suitcase, a laptop is the same burden as a 13-inch MacBook Air - their dimensions are almost identical.
Specifications and price of Macbook Air (click to enlarge)
The extra weight means there's a lot more solid stuff going on, like a 1.1GHz difference in CPU clock speed in favor of the MacBook Pro, and an integrated graphics model up a notch, but also higher. It has twice the amount of RAM, 8 GB versus 4 GB for the MacBook Air, and permanent memory - up to 0.5 TB in the top configuration. With an identical set of external connectors and wireless communication systems, the "pro-laptop" boasts with an advanced touchpad with Force Touch technology support. In fact, his “air counterpart” is inferior to his colleague in everything, demonstrating only a longer time of uninterrupted work. And that's not much, 12 hours of active surfing the Internet using a wireless connection versus 10 hours for the MacBook Pro, although when working with video the figures are the same.
From subject comparisons to summaries, the 13-inch MacBook Air is the final, final point in the existence of the "Air" subfamily. Having squeezed everything possible out of the concept, Apple did not consider it appropriate to prolong the agony. A laptop not received neither the already widespread Retina display, nor the innovative touch input system using “power gestures”. As an almost complete opposite, the 13-inch MacBook Pro looks like a solid mid-ranger, the company's main selling point in this price category, for which it has far-reaching plans. This means, at a minimum, that the model will remain relevant and competitive for another year or two, justifying the investment in the purchase.
The last nuance is that the price difference between the finalists of the impromptu competition exceeds 50,000 rubles, judging by the official price tags of the domestic Apple Store. And this greatly simplifies the choice, because if the financial gap is not included in your plans, then it makes sense to buy the 13-inch MacBook Air.
In all other respects, the current MacBook Pro 13 with Retina display is best apple laptop, based on the ratio of performance / innovation / ease of use.
According to yablyk
After the presentation of the new MacBook Air, we sat in the studio and wondered how to choose an Apple laptop now? Indeed, there are now three almost identical models on sale: “just” MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro 13″.
Until recently, the choice was, I must say, easier. If the budget was minimal, but an Apple laptop was required, the person ordered a MacBook Air. The old generation model is mercilessly criticized on the Internet, but in the meantime it sells well. Simply because it is the cheapest of Apple laptops. Okay, no questions.
The next level is the Apple MacBook. A laptop with a 12-inch screen and thin bezels has made a lot of noise, a favorite of glossy magazines and fashionistas. It is not only beautiful, but also compact: a very convenient option for business trips.
Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2016): my impressions after 2 weeks with a laptop
Alexander Pobyvanets
December 6, 2016Now the new MacBook Air is on sale, and the question immediately arises: “How is it better than the MacBook Pro?”
I will talk exclusively about those versions that are presented on the Russian Apple website. We have fewer options for sale than in the US: there are no custom builds, only ready-made versions. Therefore, if you need something "such", then look at the American site.
I want the lightest!
Of course, this MacBook is the thinnest and lightest of all Apple laptops. It was last updated in the summer of 2017, since then there have been no significant changes, except that now the Rose Gold color will not be on sale. The model in this color was removed after the recent autumn presentation, so now it is a rarity.
The 12-inch MacBook weighs just 920 grams, while the 13.3-inch Air and Pro weigh 1.25 and 1.37 kg respectively.
Where is the best screen?
At first glance, the Air and Pro 13″ screens are the same, but the specifications on the Apple website indicate that the Pro has a brightness of 500 nits, while the Air has only 300. The resolution and diagonals are identical: 2560 × 1600 pixels and 13 .3 inches respectively. The MacBook has a diagonal of 12 inches, a resolution of 2304 × 1440 and a brightness of 300 nits.
Therefore, in terms of image quality, the Air should be the same as the Pro. But Pro with a more impressive margin of brightness - in certain situations this is important: for example, when you have to urgently finish documents outside in the summer under the sun.
What's with the connectors?
Worst of all is the MacBook 12, which has a single USB Type-C. We connected the charging - that's all, the connectors are over.
In this regard, the MacBook 13 and MacBook Air look more interesting: both with a pair of Thunderbolt 3 and support for USB Type-C. Two connectors are better than one, although life without adapters will seem harsh and difficult.
Who works longer?
I took the data from the Apple website, which says that charging the MacBook lasts for 10 hours, just like the MacBook Pro. The MacBook Air runs the longest - they promise up to 12 hours.
Who needs a new Apple MacBook Air?
Alexander Pobyvanets
October 30, 2018Which is the most powerful?
Judging by the experience of using different Apple laptops, they all cope with routine tasks normally: dozens of open tabs in the browser, working with mail, documents, presentations and tablets. The MacBook 12 will do just fine with this. If desired, you can even mount videos on it, although this is already beyond its capabilities - a small laptop was not created for such purposes.
The base version of the MacBook received a 7th generation dual-core Intel Core m3 processor with a frequency of 1.2 GHz. If you need more power, look at the older version: there is already an Intel Core i5 with a frequency of 1.3 GHz.
The new MacBook Air is powered by the latest dual-core Intel Core i5-8210Y with a frequency of 1.6 GHz, made using the 14-nm process technology. In terms of performance, it is comparable to the base Apple MacBook Pro 13 ″, which costs only 5 thousand rubles more, and there is an Intel Core i5-7360U with a frequency of 2.3 GHz. But the processor is not the latest eighth, but the seventh generation.
I took the performance data from the Geekbench test.
Single Core Performance
- 1.6 GHz 2018 MacBook Air - 4248
- 2017 MacBook Air - 3335
- 1.4 GHz 2017 MacBook - 3925
- 1.3 GHz 2017 MacBook - 3630
- 1.2 GHz 2017 MacBook - 3527
- 2.3 GHz 2018 MacBook Pro - 4504
- 2.3 GHz 2017 MacBook Pro - 4314
Multi Core Performance
- 1.6 GHz 2018 MacBook Air - 7828
- 2017 MacBook Air - 6119
- 1.4 GHz 2017 MacBook - 7567
- 1.3 GHz 2017 MacBook - 6974
- 1.2 GHz 2017 MacBook - 6654
- 2.3 GHz 2018 MacBook Pro - 16464
- 2.3 GHz 2017 MacBook Pro - 9071
As you can see, the difference is in favor of the Pro, but even the MacBook looks decent against the background of the Air.
Where is more memory?
By default, all three laptops get 8 GB of RAM, there are no other options. Even for a fee.
In terms of built-in memory, the MacBook is in the lead: we immediately get 256 GB for data storage. Whereas Air and Pro only have 128 GB.
Want to upgrade your memory up to 256 GB? Please, the price of the issue is 16,000 rubles. Need even more? The volume of Air for the Russian market is limited to the 256 GB version, although in America you can supply at least 1.5 TB. So the choice is small: the Russians are offered only the MacBook Pro 13 ″ and “just” a 512 GB MacBook.
Why buy Air when there is Pro?
The new MacBook Air is a good laptop, but there is one "but". Why is it needed when a MacBook Pro 13″ is being sold nearby?
Let's say the MacBook Air is cheaper. But the difference in price is not very big: only 5 thousand rubles in his favor, compared to a hundred thousand for a laptop, the amount is not so big. What other advantages are on the side of Air? Does it weigh a little less? The difference is also not very huge.
Air works longer? Yes, dry characteristics look a little more interesting on paper, it should live 2 hours more, but it’s not a fact that this will be noticeable in practice.
The Air has Touch ID, which the base 13″ MacBook Pro doesn't have. But if you pay extra, you get a MacBook Pro 13″ with a Touch Bar and a fingerprint scanner. And the Touch ID function itself is not so significant as to worry about its absence in a laptop.
It turns out that the MacBook Air is comparable to the MacBook Pro, it was not possible to notice a significant difference between them, studying the characteristics. At least for me. And if you ask me why now buy Air instead of Pro, then I can’t find arguments in its favor.
Fair, not too high or too low. There should be prices on the Service website. Necessarily! without "asterisks", clear and detailed, where it is technically possible - the most accurate, final.
If spare parts are available, up to 85% percent of complex repairs can be completed in 1-2 days. Modular repairs take much less time. The site indicates the approximate duration of any repair.
Warranty and Liability
A warranty should be given for any repair. Everything is described on the site and in the documents. A guarantee is self-confidence and respect for you. A 3-6 month warranty is good and enough. It is needed to check the quality and hidden defects that cannot be detected immediately. You see honest and realistic terms (not 3 years), you can be sure that you will be helped.
Half the success in Apple repair is the quality and reliability of spare parts, so a good service works directly with suppliers, there are always several reliable channels and a warehouse with proven spare parts for current models so that you do not have to waste extra time.
Free diagnostics
This is very important and has already become a rule of good form for the service center. Diagnosis is the most difficult and important part of the repair, but you should not pay a dime for it, even if you do not repair the device after it.
Service repair and delivery
A good service values your time, so it offers free shipping. And for the same reason, repairs are carried out only in the workshop of the service center: it can be done correctly and according to technology only at a prepared place.
Convenient schedule
If the Service works for you, and not for itself, then it is always open! absolutely. The schedule should be convenient in order to be in time before and after work. Good service works on weekends and holidays. We are waiting for you and working on your devices every day: 9:00 - 21:00
The reputation of professionals consists of several points
Age and experience of the company
Reliable and experienced service is known for a long time.
If a company has been on the market for many years, and it has managed to establish itself as an expert, they turn to it, write about it, recommend it. We know what we are talking about, since 98% of incoming devices in the SC are restored.
We are trusted and passed on complex cases to other service centers.
How many masters in the directions
If you are always waiting for several engineers for each type of equipment, you can be sure:
1. there will be no queue (or it will be minimal) - your device will be taken care of immediately.
2. You give Macbook repair to an expert specifically in the field of Mac repairs. He knows all the secrets of these devices
technical literacy
If you ask a question, the specialist must answer it as accurately as possible.
To give you an idea of what you need.
Will try to solve the problem. In most cases, from the description, you can understand what happened and how to fix the problem.
Fair, not too high or too low. There should be prices on the Service website. Necessarily! without "asterisks", clear and detailed, where it is technically possible - the most accurate, final.
If spare parts are available, up to 85% percent of complex repairs can be completed in 1-2 days. Modular repairs take much less time. The site indicates the approximate duration of any repair.
Warranty and Liability
A warranty should be given for any repair. Everything is described on the site and in the documents. A guarantee is self-confidence and respect for you. A 3-6 month warranty is good and enough. It is needed to check the quality and hidden defects that cannot be detected immediately. You see honest and realistic terms (not 3 years), you can be sure that you will be helped.
Half the success in Apple repair is the quality and reliability of spare parts, so a good service works directly with suppliers, there are always several reliable channels and a warehouse with proven spare parts for current models so that you do not have to waste extra time.
Free diagnostics
This is very important and has already become a rule of good form for the service center. Diagnosis is the most difficult and important part of the repair, but you should not pay a dime for it, even if you do not repair the device after it.
Service repair and delivery
A good service values your time, so it offers free shipping. And for the same reason, repairs are carried out only in the workshop of the service center: it can be done correctly and according to technology only at a prepared place.
Convenient schedule
If the Service works for you, and not for itself, then it is always open! absolutely. The schedule should be convenient in order to be in time before and after work. Good service works on weekends and holidays. We are waiting for you and working on your devices every day: 9:00 - 21:00
The reputation of professionals consists of several points
Age and experience of the company
Reliable and experienced service is known for a long time.
If a company has been on the market for many years, and it has managed to establish itself as an expert, they turn to it, write about it, recommend it. We know what we are talking about, since 98% of incoming devices in the SC are restored.
We are trusted and passed on complex cases to other service centers.
How many masters in the directions
If you are always waiting for several engineers for each type of equipment, you can be sure:
1. there will be no queue (or it will be minimal) - your device will be taken care of immediately.
2. You give Macbook repair to an expert specifically in the field of Mac repairs. He knows all the secrets of these devices
technical literacy
If you ask a question, the specialist must answer it as accurately as possible.
To give you an idea of what you need.
Will try to solve the problem. In most cases, from the description, you can understand what happened and how to fix the problem.
Don't discount the Air line. It is still portable, convenient and in demand. And today we are in for a fight. The base trims of the new 12-inch MacBook and 11-inch MacBook Air enter the ring. Let's compare them in all respects and determine the winner.
Dimensions
The new MacBook is currently the easiest Apple laptop. It is 160 grams lighter than the 11-inch MacBook Air and weighs 920 grams.
And he's half an inch thinner.
In terms of other dimensions, they are almost identical.
Account opens 12-inch MacBook. 1:0
Design
Both are beautiful in their own way. Here it is entirely up to you. The new MacBook looks modern, the MacBook Air looks more classic.
Some people are happy with the glowing apple on the MacBook Air, others are more attracted to the logo on the new MacBook, implemented in the style of the iPhone 6 and iPad Air.
Every man to his own taste. Draw. 2:1
trackpad
We have already talked about Force Touch technology in the new MacBooks. There is no physical click on the new trackpad, but it seems to the person that it is. Magic. Or Taptic Engine technology, whichever suits you.
The trackpad is larger. In addition, now you can click on it anywhere. MacBook Air cannot boast of all this. 
This round is definitely for the 12-inch model. 3:1
Keyboard
The new MacBook features a full-size keyboard that spans the entire width of the laptop. It has an absolute key mechanism, it is much thinner and has more accurate backlighting.
Printing on it is a pleasure, but it takes a little getting used to. 4:1
Screen
The display is perhaps the main and most significant advantage of the new MacBook. Firstly, in a case identical to the 11-inch Air, they fit a 12-inch screen, abandoning large and useless frames. Secondly, this retina. Thirdly, it is significantly more contrast And juicier than the screen of a MacBook Air.
If on the new MacBook the picture is displayed like this: 
Then on a MacBook Air it will look something like this: 
The difference is enormous and must be seen live.
Knockout, 5:1 .
Air, limping, continues the fight.
Performance
The processors of both models are dual-core and not particularly powerful:
– Intel Core i5 1.6 GHz
– Intel Core M 1.1 GHz
According to synthetic tests in GeekBench 3, the new MacBook inferior 11-inch Air by 27%. 
Only now it has passive cooling, which eliminates the need for fans and provides complete silence like on iPhone and iPad.
And the new MacBook has twice as much RAM as the MacBook Air: 8GB against modest 4GB. This means more tabs in the browser, more open programs, more opportunities to work with resource-intensive applications.
Draw. 6:2
Connectors
Here is a simpler list:
The USB-C in the new MacBook is from the future, and for now, it's more trouble than it's worth. Many of us are not yet ready to give up standard connectors, Air from this point of view looks much more attractive. 6:3
Sound
The new MacBook takes the 11-inch Air to shreds in terms of volume and sound quality. It can even compete with my 15-inch MacBook Pro Retina. Apple engineers have placed the speakers above the keyboard, which is a better position than somewhere below the MacBook Air's display.
For clarity, let's go back to the comparison image:
12 inch Macbook. Definitely. 7:3
Camera
The MacBook Air's FaceTime camera is sharper. She shoots in resolution 720p, while the 12-inch MacBook is only capable of pathetic 480p. The result is a smeared and poor-quality image. The screen turned out to be too thin to accommodate a normal module in it.
(top - MacBook Air, bottom - 12-inch MacBook)
While the girls will take selfies and record videos on the old Air, the new MacBook will remain silently jealous.
