Review of Apple laptops - advantages and disadvantages

Laptops from the best manufacturer Apple cannot be classified as inexpensive. It is worth noting that not every model is justified by the price. But which one is better to buy from such a wide range, which is represented by the company? To make it easier for users to decide on the selection criteria, this article provides an overview of Apple laptops, the advantages and disadvantages of which are also considered.

Review of the best Apple laptops

In the first quarter of last year, the popularity of MacBook models revolved around six devices, but since the developers did not even think about reducing the lineup, it became very difficult to understand the lines. Below is a rating of quality devices, according to user reviews and expert opinions. It is worth noting that the review considers only the most important characteristics of each of the gadgets.

MacBook Air 13 Mid (2015)

Design

The shell of a reliable model is made of aluminum materials, which, of course, complements its weight and strength values. However, not everything is so beautiful, since it is quite simple to achieve a defect in the form of a dent on the corners of the case. For example, if the user on the run tries to get inside the subway car, the doors of which are closing, or hit the briefcase, where the laptop is located, against the door.

The shell does not always manage to escape from the formation of scratches. Having bought a device, you should be prepared for the fact that after two months of use, the owner will definitely add a couple of scratches to the appearance of the laptop. The first of the defects, most likely, are formed along the edges of the touchpad. The cause of these defects are metal parts on the watch strap or fitness bracelet.

Display

The display is significantly different from other laptops. Here he is a kind of calling card, according to which he is easily used as a standard.The viewing angles in it are somewhat similar to ordinary phones, but if we talk about the vertical position, then with the maximum forward tilt of the cover, a slight negative image is already formed.

The screen has a shiny surface, due to which you can safely be sure that no matter how much a person washed their hands, they are a little dirty anyway. On the other hand, the coating looks great in the sun, in combination with the activated auto sharpening mode.

Filling

The ultimate version of the 13th "mid" is equipped with a Core i5 chip from Intel, whose clock frequency is 1.6 GHz. From this it follows that this version of the MacBook is hardly suitable for active games. The reason for this statement is that Air is definitely not aimed at these targets.

Characteristics

Characteristics
CPU	2-core Core i5 from Intel, clocked at 1.6 GHz
RAM	4 GB, 1600 MHz
Graphic arts	Intel HD Graphics 6000 integrated type
Screen	13.3 inches, TFT, resolution: 1440x900px
HDD	128 GB SSD

Advantages and disadvantages

• Widescreen TFT display with backlight;
• The MacBook is based on an innovative generation chip from Intel;
• Supports Turbo Boost, which allows you to accelerate the chip up to 3.2 GHz;
• Memory limit 512 GB for SSD;
• There are USB and Thunderbolt connectors;
• Built-in SDXC card reader;
• Charging is done by MagSafe 2;
• 3.5mm audio jack.

• Despite the fact that the developers attributed the cost to the budget segment, users consider it high;
• The display matrix has a low resolution;
• Low-quality sound of "native" speakers.

The average price is 65,000 rubles.

MacBook Air 11 Mid

Design

The appearance of this model has not changed much when compared with its predecessors. It's still an ultra-thin MacBook, and it's made in a unibody aluminum case with a comfortable matte finish and signature honing to the front.

Display

The older model is equipped with a productive and brilliant matrix, the diagonal of which is 13 inches, and the resolution is 1440x900 px, the proportions are 16:10. Sharpness control coverage varies from 5 to 225 cd / m2 within 16 gradations.

In a practical 11.6-inch model, a different functional matrix was used, the resolution of which is 1366x768 px and the aspect ratio is 16:9. The coverage of sharpness turned out to be slightly wider and ranges from 5 to 250 cd / m2 within the same 16 gradations. Both options have auto-sharpening for the current light.

Filling

The model comes in two versions, which are based on an economical Intel Core i5-3317U chip with an integrated HD Graphics 4000 graphics card and 4 GB of RAM. The capacity of the SSD disk also depends on the modification and is 128 and 256 GB, respectively.

In general, if 8 GB of RAM is available in both versions, then ordering a 512 GB hard drive and an Intel Core i7-3667 chip for games and better performance is really only for the “older” version. From an integrated battery with a capacity of 50 Wh, autonomy is about 7 hours, provided Wi-Fi is activated and surfing the net. It is worth noting that this is an excellent value for such a practical and lightweight device.

Characteristics

Characteristics
CPU	Core i5-3317U from Intel with a clock speed of 1.7 GHz
RAM (Standard/Limit)	4096/8192
Graphic arts	HD Graphics 4000 from Intel
Screen	1366х768 px
HDD	1268/256 GB SSD

Advantages and disadvantages

• Branded and ultra-thin appearance;
• Robust and solidly built aluminum unibody;
• Innovative Ivy Bridge hardware from Intel;
• Excellent performance indicators;
• Nimble Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 connectors.

• Relatively high price;
• At extreme settings, the case heats up, and the cooling system makes noise;
• There is no card reader.

The average price is 50,000 rubles.

MacBook Air 11 Early

Design

The improved EARLY, whose diagonal is 11 inches, is similar in appearance to the model described above. Even if you look for a difference with the MBA debutant released in 2008, it is absolutely insignificant.

Build reliability is still at a decent level, like its predecessors. The metal shell is quite sturdy, although it does dent if the laptop is dropped. The case has chic strength parameters, even despite the lightness (1.06 kg). This is due to the integrity of the shell itself and its electronic filling.

Display

There is no retina in this model. It is worth noting that it is the Air series that is considered to be the last of the relevant ones today, which have not yet been converted to Retina displays with improved clarity. The gadget is equipped with a similar APP9CF3 type TN matrix as the 2012 gadgets. The resolution is 1366x768 px. Among the company's display suppliers, by tradition, the first places are occupied by LG / Philips and Samsung.

A significant advantage of the display is that even despite its shiny protective glass, the number of extra glare is reduced to the smallest values.

Filling

A high-quality Core i5-5250U chip from Intel can reach, in a short time, about 2.7 GHz, and the declared frequency of its two cores is 1.6 GHz. The integrated HD Graphics 6000 graphics card, which has 48 shader processors, guarantees an almost instantaneous response not only for watching movies, but also for most "heavy" games. Nimbleness reaches almost 8000 "parrots" in the 3DMark`06 test, which is an excellent value when compared with average video graphics processors from NVidia and AMD.

Characteristics

Characteristics
CPU	2-core Core i5-5250U from Intel
RAM	4 GB
Graphic arts	800 MB HD Graphics 6000 from Intel @ 800 MHz
Screen	diagonal - 11 inches, aspect ratio - 16:9, resolution 1366x768 px, type - TN
HDD	128 GB SSD

Advantages and disadvantages

• Lightweight;
• Easy to use;
• Nimble;
• Appearance;
• Practicality.

• Few USB ports.

The average price is 56,000 rubles.

MacBook Air 13 Early

Design

The appearance of the device is exactly the same as that of the other models of the Air line. The fact is that Apple decided not to do anything with the design of this series, and this tradition has been preserved for about 6-7 years. The whole difference with its predecessors lies only in the filling.

The shell is still referred to as ultra-thin, and the thickness is still unevenly distributed. The case is made of aluminum and is able to bend, so you should be very careful not to hit the laptop.

Display

Most users expected that this model will have a Retina screen, but this did not happen. As a result, we got an excellent MacBook only with a low-quality matrix.It is worth noting that it not only stands out for its poor resolution, which is 1440x900 px, but also for its very thick bezels around the display. In addition, the latter has obvious difficulties with color reproduction and contrast, but everything is in order with the viewing angle.

Filling

The specifics of the Air series macbooks include the fact that the device is carefully soldered, so it is not possible to open it. Official centers are able to disassemble the gadget, but it is strongly not recommended to do it yourself, because there is a risk of losing the warranty.

The device operates on a fifth-generation dual-core chip (4300) from Intel, clocked at 2.3 GHz. Installed 8 GB of LPDDR3 memory and an integrated HD Graphics 4200 video processor from the same Intel. In addition, the MacBook is equipped with a fairly fast 512 GB SSD drive.

Characteristics

Characteristics
CPU	2-core fifth generation (4300) from Intel, clocked at 2.3 GHz
RAM	8 GB type LPDDR3
Graphic arts	1 GB integrated HD Graphics 4200 from Intel and 2 GB discrete GeForce 920M from Nvidia
Screen	Screen dimensions 13.3 inches, resolution - 1440x900 px (HD), aspect ratio - 16:9
HDD	512 GB SSD

Advantages and disadvantages

• Excellent duration of work;
• Reliability and build quality;

• Large frames;
• Price.

The average price is 55,000 rubles.

"MacBook Pro 13 with Retina Display Early"

Design

By design, this MacBook is no different from previous models in this series. The device can really be identified only thanks to the marking from below.Working with the touchpad it is difficult to understand how it differs from an ordinary mechanical device, but there are differences, and significant ones. First, the touchpad shell sinks into the body from all angles in a balanced way, making it easy to press anywhere. Secondly, clicks are made softer when compared with predecessor devices.

If you look closely, you can see that the touchpad shell, although it moves in the process of clicks, but a tiny distance. Interestingly, if the click with a finger is replaced by pressing with some hard object, the pressure is not carried out. In simple terms, the touchpad actually represents finger pressure electronically and generates mechanical feedback in an incredible way.

Display

Recently, on MacBooks with a Retina display, the diagonal of which is 13 inches, it has become simply unrealistic to designate the model and manufacturer of the matrix using the “Terminal”. The only identifier of its kind is the line "Model" in the parameters of the display color mode.

This display has a stunning sharpness close to 388 cd/m2 and a contrast ratio of approximately 1000:1. The color range and white balance location are well calibrated by the built-in mode, resulting in a color temperature of almost a stunning 6500K.

Filling

Most 13-inch ultra-thin laptops and similar devices are equipped with Intel's U-series chips, which are rated at 15 watts. They are energy efficient, but not quite productive. It is worth noting that Intel processors with a power of 47 watts are much more powerful, but they also “eat” much more energy.

Apple uses conciliatory chips with a power of 28 watts.It is worth noting that they guarantee an excellent harmony of energy efficiency with performance. In addition to the "apple" organization, almost no one buys them, but not so long ago a similar chip was introduced in one of the elite ultra-thin ZenBook devices from Asus. In this model, buyers are given the opportunity to choose one of three modifications:

1. i5-5257U;
2. i5-5287U;
3. i7-5557U.

Characteristics

Characteristics
CPU	2-core fifth generation (4300) from Intel, clocked at 2.6 GHz (there are other modifications)
RAM	12 GB DDR3
Graphic arts	1 GB integrated HD Graphics 4600 from Intel and 2 GB discrete GeForce 920M from Nvidia
Screen	Size 13.3 inches, resolution - 2560x1600 px (Full HD), aspect ratio - 16:9
HDD	1 TB HDD

Advantages and disadvantages

• Reliability of assembly and materials;
• Ability to control the backlight of the keyboard and display;
• Excellent duration of work;
• Good value for money.

• 4K video format plays with slowdowns.

The average price is from 100,000 to 139,000 depending on the modification.

"MacBook Pro 13 with Retina Display Touch Bar Late"

Design

The more expensive 13-inch gadget is almost no different from its predecessor in terms of shell and appearance. Touch Bar and 4 USB type C connectors instead of two - everything that externally distinguishes it from others in this series.

The reliability of the shell and assembly, the alignment of the hinges and the ergonomics are simply inimitable. The MacBook is guaranteed to last for many years, of course, if you take care of it properly.

Display

The screen of the novelty, the diagonal of which is 13.3 inches, does not differ at all from the equipped model without the presence of the Touch Bar. Both devices are made according to IPS technology and have a resolution of 2560x1600 px, which means 227 ppi on this diagonal. Compared to OS Windows, macOS has no difficulty in rescaling programs. There are several modes that make it possible to make the interface larger or smaller without changing the resolution and, accordingly, the accuracy.

Filling

This model was not only equipped with additional USB connectors, but also with power. Usually, Apple laptops with dimensions of 13 inches are equipped with chips from Intel, whose power is 28 watts. The fact is that they are considered to be a kind of compromise between powerful and “gluttonous” 45 watts (the latter are used in models 15 of the Pro line), with economical, but unproductive 15 watts (they are equipped with the Air series).

But in devices that do not have a Touch Bar, there are 15-watt chips. A more expensive model avoided this fate. In a similar shell, both the Touch Bar and an additional cooler, which is necessary for a 28-watt chip, fit in a "fantastic" way. In addition, it was equipped with a faster RAM type LPDDR3-2133 instead of LPDDR3-1866. It is absolutely clear that the company is trying to discourage users from a less "perfect" model, at the same time forming a "mirage" of the range.

Characteristics

Characteristics
CPU	4-core fifth generation (4570S) from Intel, clocked at 2.9 GHz
RAM	8 GB type LPDDR3
Graphic arts	1 GB integrated HD Graphics 4600 from Intel and 4 GB discrete GeForce GTX 950M from Nvidia
Screen	Dimensions 13.3 inches, resolution - 2560x1600 (Full HD), aspect ratio - 16:9
HDD	512 GB HDD

Advantages and disadvantages

• Gorgeous PSU;
• The Touch Pad works great and fast.

• Not detected.

The average price is 102,000 rubles.

"MacBook Pro 15 with Retina Display Late"

Design

Almost nothing has changed in the design of the “Late” model. In the upper part, traditionally, the corporate logo of the company in the form of an apple, but there is still nothing on the front side. The socket slots are the same: on the left side are MagSafe 2, two Thunderbolt slots, USB 3.0, and a headset jack. On the right side is an HDMI port, a card reader and 1 more USB 3.0. They didn't add anything, but they didn't cut it either.

Display

The situation is about the same with the screen. I would very much like to say that it was improved in some way, but this did not happen. There is still a 16:9 matrix with a diagonal of 15.4 inches. The resolution is 2880x1800 px. The final point saturation is 220 ppi, and there is simply no point in making it even more.

The sharpness is still not exactly too high, but not fantastically small either. According to Spyder 4 testing, it is approximately 280 cd/m2. In a room, this parameter is more than enough, but for the most comfortable activities, for example, in a car, it would be good to increase it by 20%. The screen, as before, is brilliant, but with an auxiliary anti-glare surface, which reduces the degree of glare from external light sources.

Filling

It is worth noting that all new items are equipped with Core i4-i5 chips from Intel, among advanced users such processors are called Haswell. In addition, only modifications of the fourth and fifth generations come across in 15 models.This model was equipped with a Core i7 (4750HQ) clocked at 2 GHz. At the same time, in Turbo mode, it can accelerate up to 3.2 GHz. The cached memory of the second level of the processor is 256 KB per 1 core, and the third level is 6 MB. The maximum power consumption of this chip is 47 watts.

It is noteworthy that the standard chip frequency of the predecessor of the previous generation was noticeably higher and amounted to 2.3 GHz, and the maximum frequency was almost the same 3.3 GHz. In addition, the TDP was less, within 45 W, however, a power controller was built into the Haswell chips, which wants to “eat” tightly.

Characteristics

Characteristics
CPU	2.7 GHz Dual Core Innovative Generation (5500U) from Intel
RAM	16GB DDR3
Graphic arts	1 GB integrated HD Graphics 5500 from Intel and 2 GB discrete GeForce 940M from Nvidia
Screen	Dimensions 15.4 inches, resolution - 2880x1800 (Full HD), aspect ratio - 16:9
HDD	512 GB HD

Advantages and disadvantages

• New color schemes clearly refresh the emotions;
• Gorgeous sound in the "native" speakers;
• The color and sharpness of the display is just incredible.

• From time to time it is inconvenient to use the Esc touch key.

The average price is 80,000 rubles.

Results

This is the end of the next review and at the same time the rating of quality MacBooks from Apple. The brand makes very reliable devices, which is why it has fantastically huge sales every year and many fans around the planet.