• The right choice of MacBook from Apple. What is the difference between a MacBook and a laptop?

    In general terms, a laptop can be described as a portable computer with its own monitor and keyboard, capable of working for some time without external source nutrition. There are two main classifications of these devices, dividing them by screen size and performance. In this case, a separate category takes into account laptop computers produced by Apple. Let's figure out what a MacBook is and how a PC with an apple on the lid differs from laptops from other manufacturers.

    Absolutely all modern MacBook models are produced in an aluminum case made using Unibody technology. Until recently, color design was not done. All models had a natural color similar to silver. Since 2015, the buildings have been colored. The 12-inch model received the maximum colors.

    The “Pro” version, as a more “serious” version, is available in a traditional silver shade and color “ Gray space" The Air model has received only hardware updates in recent years and is the only one that has not acquired a colored body.

    Model range

    In 2018 in model range Apple laptops are represented by the following models:

    Screen diagonal 13.3 inches. Since the release of Air in 2008 for a long time positioned as the thinnest and lightweight laptop. It has a characteristic, easily recognizable body, beveled towards the trackpad. The thickness in this place is only 0.3 mm.

    Of all the MacBooks, it is the only one that does not have a Retina display with high image fidelity. The standard screen resolution is 1440x900 pixels. With a fully charged battery, it can work for 12 hours, eliminating the need for its owner to carry a power adapter.

    It has a high-definition screen with a diagonal of 12 inches and a standard resolution of 2304x1440 pixels. Equipped with a single universal USB Type C port, which is used for charging and connecting peripheral devices.

    The first of Apple's laptops to feature a fanless passive cooling system. It is smaller in size than the iPad Pro and is actually slightly smaller than a standard sheet of paper. The device weighs 920 grams, is equipped with an Intel processor and runs on a full-fledged, not mobile OS. A full battery charge lasts for 10 hours of active use.

    As the name suggests, this is the most advanced, professional model. Available with 13 and 15 inch screens. In older versions, instead of function keys The Touch Bar is installed. Depending on the application you are using, it displays buttons for quick access to its functions.

    The technical solution is very original and looks much better than Microsoft technology with “finger” control. Not all users like to work with a screen stained with fingerprints. The younger 13-inch model is equipped with a traditional set of physical buttons.

    All models come with a high-quality Retina display. For comparison, here are the numbers: the 15-inch model has a standard resolution of 2880x1800, and the high-definition television standard is 1920x1080. The professional series is additionally equipped with a discrete video card with its own memory up to 4 GB. When performing everyday tasks, the built-in Intel HD Graphics is used. Switching video modes occurs automatically when working with complex graphics.

    General characteristics

    All MacBooks use solid state drives SSD. The speed of reading/writing information on them exceeds the fastest HDD with a frequency of 7200 rpm by 12 times. In the minimum configuration, the drive size is 128, and in the maximum – 512 GB.

    All MacBooks come with 8GB as standard. RAM. The 15-inch “Pro” comes with 16 GB. A few years ago, Apple completely abandoned the Ethernet connector. Connect MacBook to wired network It is possible, but using a special adapter. The company relied on high mobility and using Wi-Fi. As a result, any Mac easily connects to wireless networks, including high-speed networks operating at 5 GHz.

    All versions are equipped with a camera built into the lid for video communication. In addition to laptops, Apple's product line includes Aimak all-in-one PCs, Mac mini and Mac Pro workstations. Decorating the top of the model tree is the all-in-one iMac Pro, the most powerful computer, developed in Cupertino.

    operating system

    Well-chosen hardware housed in an ideal case is complemented by an operating system that allows you to fully utilize its power. Like mobile devices Apple laptops run on their own OS developed by Apple. New version macOS is released annually and, in addition to the number, has its own code name. The last one is called High Sierra.

    Being UNIX-like macOS system is extremely stable. It is not capable of freezing or slowing down at the most necessary moment like Windows. In addition, macOS is virtually virus-free. Over the entire period, no more than a few thousand of them have been recorded, while in Windows their number has long exceeded 100,000.

    The point here is not only in the percentage of operating systems, but also in their architecture. You can infect a Mac with a virus only by manually installing it. The system is designed in such a way that it will ask for an administrator password to make any major changes.

    The basic software of MacBooks allows the user to immediately get started. IN standard equipment includes an office suite, an email client, and software for working with video and sound.

    Additional software available in the app store App Store. If desired, the user can allow installation from other sources by entering a password to remove security restrictions. The choice of software is very wide. Almost all the programs you've worked with before have a version for Mac or an equally functional equivalent.

    A user accustomed to the Windows interface will have to change their understanding of interacting with windows in macOS. Their controls are located not in the right, but in the upper left corner. The functionality of the buttons will also differ. The system supports multi-workspace mode. You can create several virtual desktops by placing applications on them in the desired order and switch between them as needed. To a similar Microsoft system only came to Windows 10.

    To top it off, instead of the usual taskbar, MacBooks use the Dock. Traditionally, it is located at the bottom of the screen. Any installed application is pinned there for quick access.

    The full capabilities of macOS are revealed when the user uses several Apple devices. Any application that has a mobile counterpart allows you to start working on the iPad and continue it on the MacBook using the “Continuity” function. By customizing the system for yourself, you can use your MacBook to answer phone calls or SMS without interrupting your current tasks. High Sierra supports copying data between devices using a Bluetooth channel for communication.

    Having selected a picture on your iPhone, you can immediately transfer it to your laptop and paste it into a presentation or text editor. Apple Watch in this combination they allow the owner not to enter an access password. The MacBook “recognizes” its owner by independently establishing a connection with the smart watch.

    Windows support

    Apple laptops work well with Windows OS. Built-in utility Boot Camp allows it to be installed by a second operating system. Switching between them is done by rebooting.

    Users who have to work with specific software may find this feature useful. Once you install Windows, you can choose at boot time which OS you want to use on your MacBook.

    The required set of drivers is downloaded from the Apple website and is fully adapted to the hardware configuration. The amount of RAM in any Mac is enough for comfortable work in the Windows environment. Not all regular laptops can boast presence of SSD and 8 GB of RAM.

    Partitioning the disk and installing it is done using the Boot Camp assistant in automatic mode. The user only needs to specify the size to be allocated and the distribution of the desired version of Windows.

    Keyboard and trackpad

    The Apple keyboard is slightly different from the standard one. There is no Win key; instead, there is a Command button with similar functionality. Alt, which is practically not used on Windows, plays the role of a modifier on Mac. By clicking on it, the user opens additional control parameters in almost any system menu.

    The top row of function keys is designed to control the backlight modes of the keyboard, display, multimedia capabilities laptop, windows and workspaces.

    The gesture control function allows you to completely abandon the use of a mouse using a trackpad. The latest modifications of “Force Touch” are able to recognize the force of pressing. The function is familiar to mobile users iOS versions and is a desktop analogue of 3D Touch.

    Flexible settings allow you to make control convenient, customizing it to the needs and habits of a specific user.

    Choice

    The MacBook is not a cheap device, so before purchasing it is worth correctly assessing the tasks that will be solved with its help. For work in resource-intensive applications that involve extensive graphic modeling, video or audio editing, the Pro model is well suited. Equipped with a significant amount of RAM and a discrete graphics card, this MacBook will easily cope with the task.

    The model is equipped with four USB-C ports. They differ from the standard one by a “mirror” connector that can be connected to either side. Peripherals such as printers or scanners are mostly equipped with old USB, so for direct connection you will need to use an additional adapter.

    The choice between Air and 12-inch Retina will be more difficult. Both laptops are compact and lightweight. Here you will also have to take into account work with peripheral devices. Air has two USB port 3 and one Thunderbolt. You can connect an SD card to it using the built-in connector. In addition, he has traditional system cooling and more fast processor Core i5 clocked at 1.8 GHz.

    The compact Retina in the maximum configuration is equipped with a similar CPU, but operates at a frequency of 1.3 GHz. Another criterion for choosing between them will be the quality of the display. Advice in this area will not help. The devices must be assessed visually by comparing their pictures.

    In the App Store, a separate section is reserved for gaming applications. In it you can find all the popular games common on Windows. If you plan to use your MacBook for this type of entertainment, you should pay attention to the Pro series models. In gaming mode, the laptop will switch to the discrete graphics card. As a last resort, you can always install Windows as a second system and use it.

    In conclusion

    Permanent maximalism allows Apple to make its devices unique and easily recognizable in the world, setting the direction for the development of the industry. For example, the release of the lightweight Aira marked the beginning of the development of ultrabooks. Taking its design as a basis, other manufacturers have developed similar products.

    Thus, the company played the role of an engine, pushing the progress of laptops towards compactness and high autonomy. If you are interested in all the characteristics of the MacBook, you can study them on the official Apple website.

    Video instructions

    You can watch detailed reviews in the videos below. current versions MacBooks.

    Let's try to forget about the oversimplification present in this question and give an answer to it. So, which is better - a MacBook or a laptop?

    Appearance

    This point of comparison between the two heroes is the most obvious and the answer to it is the MacBook. He is the winner in this category because only Apple makes them according to its standards of beauty and ergonomics. Presenting new models every year, they are aware that they are an icon for fans of their recognizable elegant style. Apple's staff includes renowned designers, the best planners, forward-thinking marketers - everyone who is needed to create an attractive product - a MacBook. All this cannot be said about laptops. This is due to the fact that there are just under a hundred laptop manufacturers and almost all of them are so diverse and fickle that you can’t expect them to release anything that attracts attention. The only exceptions may be Japanese and Korean SONY giants and Samsung and the latest Chinese unique Lenovo.

    Tasks

    If in the category of appearance everything falls into place definitely and obviously, then in the category of functionality and tasks a clear advantage cannot be given to a laptop or MacBook. This is because the tasks are different. It's absolutely certain that if you graphic designer or work with video content, you need a Mac. If you work with audio, you again prefer a Mac. If you are a fan of social networks and other ways of spending time online, also a MacBook.

    This is the case because users of creative professions initially chose MacBooks due to their low technical skills. After all, on MacOS:

    • There is no need to install drivers manually;
    • the system is demolished and reinstalled, saving data in a couple of clicks;
    • Conflicts between hardware and software are rare.

    And only then multimedia software manufacturers, seeing that their clients mostly work on Mac computers, began to optimize programs primarily for their ecosystem. The circle is closed. Thus, among those tasks in which MacBooks have an advantage:

    • surfing the Internet;
    • work in graphic editors;
    • various media (music and cinema);
    • work in your own content ecosystem (Appstore, iTunes, etc.);
    • working with a large community of brand loyalists and uniformity of peripherals

    In contrast to Macs, the Windows operating system was originally more crude and chaotic. Remnants of this still exist today. This is expressed:

    • in periodic emergency stops of the system;
    • it is necessary to perform many system operations manually;
    • reinstalling the system is still dangerous, since you can accidentally lose data, despite all kinds of backups;
    • when purchasing a new device, for example, a more capacious hard drive for a laptop, you need to make sure that replacing it with this particular hard drive model will not cause hardware conflicts, etc.

    Plus, millions of viruses that have proliferated under Windows, thanks to the vulnerability of the system, force people of a more technical nature to use it. And that is why most programs related to measurements, design and processing of data sets are developed for Windows. Thus, to strengths Common laptops include:

    • working with heavy data sets in graphic and video editors;
    • work in professional calculation programs;
    • the ability to easily play the latest resource-intensive games;
    • work in rare and narrow areas software environments for specialists;
    • working with programs written a long time ago and which have no analogues on Mac.

    Software

    From the point of view of using software, when answering the question of which is better - a laptop or a MacBook, the advantage should rightly be given to the laptop. And first of all, for the diversity of software for the most common Windows operating system. And therefore in this category the question which laptop better than macbook, you can give an exact answer - almost any one with identical hardware level.

    And even if not all of this software is of high quality and proven, at least you will have the opportunity to install it on your laptop and test it at your own risk. Unlike a MacBook, where the list of programs is not nearly as extensive and the possibilities for using various system modifications and various emulators are much lower.

    Separately, in terms of software, let’s say that when choosing which laptop is better than a MacBook, you will definitely answer - any laptop, because almost all software for MacBooks is not just paid - it’s expensive! But, if saving is not your priority, this argument is not for you.

    Safety and comfort

    When it comes to comfortable work, the MacBook is definitely the winner! No one will argue with the fact that Apple is rightfully proud of the absolute balance and reliability of the system. MacBooks last for many years without breaking down. This is statistics. Plus there are no viruses for the Mac operating environment. And many more intangible advantages will make you wonder if there is any laptop better than a MacBook?

    Thus, the score is approximately equal and, probably, we managed to impartially cover this difficult issue, and the final choice, as always, is yours.

    In June, Apple introduced an improved line of laptops, including an updated MacBook Air. The latter received a minimal update in the form of a new processor – Intel Core i5 with a clock frequency of 1.8 GHz. According to rumors, this update will become .

    The MacBook Air is considered one of the best value-for-money laptops on the market. In Russia, the model fell into the category of bestsellers among 13-inch models. If Apple really abandons the series, it will be a real tragedy for Mac fans.


    Columnist Pavel Gorodnitsky is confident that the MacBook Air remains best laptop on the market in the segment up to 70,000 rubles. In his opinion, there are 7 reasons why you should hurry up and buy an Apple “air” laptop:

    1. In three years of use, I have never updated the OS, cleaned the memory, taken the MacBook for service, or installed special programs to optimize operation - in short, I have not done anything to speed up the computer. It already worked extremely quickly - I never experienced any freezes, glitches or other nasty things that often pop up in Windows laptops. The MacBook Air is fantastically optimized - I rebooted it no more than ten times during my entire time. And then only in those moments when it was simply too lazy to manually close applications.

    2. The MacBook Air feels like it charges from zero to 100 percent in about an hour. This saved me a couple of times: I plugged in the laptop almost before leaving for the plane, and then watched a movie or worked without thinking about the battery at all.

    3. Claimed 12 hours battery life- a beautiful fiction, but the MacBook Air definitely gives eight to nine hours. This is enough to go on a two-day business trip and never take the charger out of your bag. In addition, the MacBook Air practically does not discharge if it is closed - in this mode, about 5% is consumed per day. And one last fact about the battery: over 34 months, its actual capacity decreased by only 25% and remained very decent.

    4. MacBook Air, unlike new MacBooks, has USB ports. You can buy a laptop and use it right away, rather than worry about bulky and expensive adapters.

    5. MacBook Air is hyper-compact. I felt it when I stuffed the 13-inch model into the vertical shoulder bag. The laptop fit almost completely (except that the zipper was not fastened) and did not cause the slightest discomfort. 1.35 kilograms was almost not felt - it seemed to me that I was carrying a large-format book or a plump stack of paper in my bag, and not a full-fledged computer.

    6. There are ultrabooks that are focused exclusively on working in the browser and watching movies. At first I thought that the MacBook Air was the same, but when I needed to edit a video, the laptop only got a little hotter than usual. The same situation is with Photoshop: a slight increase in temperature, but no brakes. It is really enough for all tasks.

    7. Perhaps the most important point. New MacBook Pro(2016) the apple on the lid does not light up. The 12-inch MacBook does the same. Accordingly, the MacBook Air is now the only current Apple laptop with the famous illuminated logo.

    The main problem is that, while sending the MacBook Air to the grave, Apple CEO Tim Cook does not offer any reasonable alternative. He simply takes and abandons the universal and truly people's computer, leaving only gadgets from a different price category. The same 12-inch MacBook costs 75–80 thousand, and a modern MacBook Pro will cost 100,000 for the younger version.


    First, Apple got people hooked on its OS through a budget laptop, and now macOS fans are faced with a difficult choice: they will either have to shell out money for top-end MacBooks, or return to Windows with their tail between their legs.

    This story is all about Apple from the Tim Cook era. Unfortunately, the company's goal now is not to please users, but to monetize their devotion as effectively as possible.

    Apple produces and sells its own laptops called MacBooks. This technique It features outstanding performance parameters, a sophisticated interface, and a high-tech design.

    Often this is the main reason why consumers pay attention to these devices.

    What is it

    MacBook is one of the representatives of the family of portable PCs from Apple.. A distinctive feature of this device is its relatively high cost. The cheapest laptop of this type was introduced on December 20, 2008. The last release took place in March 2015; at the moment, the modification presented in San Francisco is the most expensive.

    The laptops in question differ not only in their aesthetic appearance, but also in their performance parameters. The hardware is one step ahead of analogues from other manufacturers. Also, high operating speed is available due to the conservatism of the operating system - using software from third-party manufacturers is extremely difficult.

    History of appearance

    Back in 1989, Apple released the first portable portable PC. It was called Macintosh Portable. You can rightfully call it a prototype of modern laptops from the manufacturer in question.

    The device had the following operating parameters:

    • CPU frequency: 16 MHz;
    • amount of RAM: 1 MB;
    • Hard disk size: 40 MB.

    This MacBook prototype, which cost as much as $6,500, was not very popular. Since its price was quite high, and its performance parameters, even for that time, were far from the best. The next step towards the production of high-tech laptops was PowerBook. The series sold under this name is more successful.

    The most popular were:

    • PowerBook 170;
    • PowerBookDuo 250;
    • Aluminum PowerBook G4.

    There are also quite a large number of various intermediate models. They all had their own advantages and disadvantages. But in fact they remained ordinary gadgets. Everything changed with the transition to architecture from Intel. The real revolution was the ultra-compact laptop with the Air prefix - released in January 2008. Its weight was 1.3 kg, thickness - 1.9 cm.

    Modern models

    IN present moment The most popular models are:


    All of the modifications listed above exist with different screen diagonals (11.6 and 13.3 inches). The most significant difference between them is the size and type of hard drive. It can be 64, 128 and 256 GB (SSD or regular).

    The most recent modification is Pro version. It can be equipped with both 13 and 15 inch Retina screen. Also, a version of the MacBook equipped with a 12-inch screen was recently presented. Its peculiarity is its thickness (only 13.1 mm), as well as its weight (0.9 kg).

    Why is it loved and why was it invented?

    The technique under consideration has a large number of advantages and practically no disadvantages. This is what makes it so widespread among users in a variety of countries, not just the USA.

    Laptops of this type are in great demand for the following reasons:

    • compact dimensions;
    • light weight;
    • comfortable and functional keyboard;
    • display;
    • durable aluminum housing;
    • interesting design.

    Photo: Apple MacBook with display in logo

    The first thing that catches your eye when looking at devices of this type is their compact size. That is why you can take it with you even on long journeys without any difficulty. And not experience any inconvenience. Low weight also contributes to comfortable transportation. The keyboard is ergonomic, the location of the keys makes it possible to use it with maximum convenience.

    The display has a large number advantages:

    • it is coated with a special anti-reflective coating;
    • it does not leave fingerprints;
    • The viewing angle is very large.

    The durable aluminum case not only makes the design stylish, but also reliably protects the insides of the PC from possible mechanical and other damage.

    A MacBook can be used to solve a variety of tasks.

    Its hardware allows you to implement various purposes:

    • process video files and images;
    • work with text documents;
    • surf the Internet.

    If desired, the MacBook can be used for games.

    Video: MacBook Review

    What is the difference between a MacBook and a laptop?

    There are serious differences between MacBooks and similar devices from other manufacturers.

    They are as follows:

    • brand;
    • design features;
    • exclusive operating system;
    • price.

    Apple's assembly line has extremely stringent product controls. The result is its very high quality. The likelihood of any defects and defects is almost completely excluded. Apple products are also difficult to counterfeit.

    The design of devices of this type is very unique. This is precisely one of the most important features that distinguishes them from other similar devices. The company strives for minimalism. All unnecessary details that negatively affect ergonomics and aesthetics are simply absent.

    On Apple technology it uses its own, exclusive operating system – Mac OS X. This is the reason that the number of programs from third-party developers that can run on the hardware in question is small.

    Most recent models, as well as earlier ones, typically cost four-digit dollar amounts. There are many disputes regarding the price of equipment from this manufacturer. Since when comparing a MacBook with a similar device from another manufacturer, the result is not always in favor of Apple.

    How to choose

    Before purchasing an Apple computer, you need to decide why you need such equipment. And only with this in mind make your choice. Since various modifications have all sorts of features. Each of which makes it easier to complete a particular task.

    Gadget design

    The design of most models is the same, which is why this factor usually has minimal influence on the choice. But the most important difference in appearance concerns the thickness.

    It depends on the display used in the design:


    Otherwise there is no design global differences does not have. Except for the order and location of all sorts of input/output ports. This moment purely individual when choosing a certain model the buyer should be guided by practical considerations and his own taste.

    Graphics subsystem

    The technique in question is rarely used for games. However, the graphics subsystem is important when choosing.

    Today there are models available for sale equipped with the following video cards:


    The modification with the Air prefix is ​​equipped with a weaker video card. Despite its low performance, it is quite capable of handling video processing, as well as working in various environments that require a powerful graphics accelerator. But don't expect too much from HD Graphics. This modification is suitable for those who work on the Internet or text editors.

    Computers with the Pro console are equipped with a more powerful graphics subsystem. Therefore, if the buyer is a professional photographer engaged in video editing or other similar activities, he should choose a device equipped with GeForce GT 750M 2 GB. This video card has sufficient performance to support professional programs.

    Photo: NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M video card

    SSD hard drive

    Today's commercially available devices are equipped with solid-state hard drives. SSD type. Their capacity can vary over a fairly wide range.

    It all depends on the modification of the laptop computer, as well as the version:

    • Air:
    1. 128 GB;
    2. 256 GB;
    3. 512 GB;
    • Pro:
    1. 256 GB;
    2. 512 GB;
    3. 1 TB.

    You should choose the size of the hard drive that your computer will be equipped with based on the tasks for which it will be used. If the gadget is necessary for working on the Internet (processing email, surfing) and text editor, as well as for other similar purposes, then the modification of Air will be quite sufficient.

    If you need to store a large amount of information (video and audio files, disk images), then it’s better to choose the Pro model with hard drive size of at least 512 GB.

    Price and equipment

    The most popular modifications today are:


    The modification labeled Pro has the following technical parameters:

    • CPU: i5 2600 MHz;
    • RAM: 8192 MB;
    • SSD: 128 GB;
    • screen diagonal: 13.3";
    • weight: 1.57 kg;
    • Battery life: 9 hours.

    Air comes with the following components:

    • CPU: i5 1400 MHz;
    • RAM: 4000 MB;
    • SSD: 128 GB;
    • screen diagonal – 11.6“;
    • weight: 1.08 kg;
    • Battery life: 9 hours.

    Video: Apple Pro Retina presentation

    Benefits of MacBook

    The most important advantages of the gadget in question are:

    All parts fit together as tightly as possible, which minimizes the likelihood of dust or anything like that getting inside. Small overall dimensions and low weight make transportation as comfortable as possible. Thanks to special batteries The battery life, even with intensive use, is usually at least 9 hours.

    Photo: MacBook Pro Retina 13″ equipment

    The technique under consideration has a very large number of advantages and practically no disadvantages. What makes it extremely popular and popular among a wide variety of categories of users: businessmen, students, schoolchildren and others. The disadvantages include the high cost - but it is quite justified in some cases, since the quality of the devices in question is extremely high.

    What have we come to in 10 years?

    2016 has arrived, and a whole 10 years have passed since the release of the first professional laptops from Apple! Let's remember together how it all began and where we have come to today.

    It’s better not to remember how they became more expensive in terms of rubles. Especially when you can buy any in installments without additional payment. You can't imagine the best way update your working Mac. Moreover, they have always been considered the ultimate laptop for busy people.

    How it all started

    June 6, 2005 at the Worldwide Developer Conference Steve Jobs announced an imminent attack new era in the Apple world - the transition from PowerPC processors to Intel.

    Steve Jobs announced two main disadvantages of the PowerPC: the processor heats up too much during operation and the banal failure to fulfill promises. Heating was a very serious disadvantage for laptops, the cooling of which requires additional energy, and the processors themselves were not at all economical (performance per 1 Watt was too low). At the same time, the company was in no hurry to provide new processor models for Apple, and the long-awaited release of the PowerBook G5 was postponed indefinitely.

    It is impossible to say unambiguously whether the transition to Intel occurred only for these two reasons or whether there are other aspects. Perhaps Apple has decided to cooperate with what it considers a more promising company in the future. Or maybe the company wanted users to be able to install... Windows on its products?

    But it was precisely this moment that became the starting point for the creation by Apple new MacBook Pro laptops.

    First generation MacBook Pro

    `

    Release date: 2006
    Key Features:

    • Intel Core Duo processor 1.83 GHz to 2.16 GHz
    • Hard drive from 80 to 120 GB
    • LCD display from 15” (1440 x 900) to 17” (1680 x 1050)
    • ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics card
    • Two memory slots up to 2 GB RAM

    The very first MacBook Pro was presented as a laptop for professional users by Steve Jobs at the Macworld Conference & Expo in January 2006.

    The renaming of the laptop name from PowerBook to MacBook Pro occurred, as you might guess, for two reasons: firstly, Apple decided to abandon all associations with the PowerPC processor, and secondly, to add the word Mac to the name.

    The MacBook Pro turned out to be similar, but not at all identical to the PowerBook G4. Externally, it became a little larger (by a centimeter in length and 3 mm in width) and a little thinner (by three millimeters). It also has a lot of new features:

    • The graphics and display brightness were significantly improved due to the ATI Mobility Radeon X1600, which had 128 or 256 MB of video memory and ran on GDDR3 SDRAM.
    • A built-in iSight camera has appeared, located above the display.
    • An infrared sensor has appeared for working with the Front Row multimedia player via the remote control remote control, which came with the kit.
    • The MagSafe power connector has been replaced. The company paid special attention to it, demonstrating that if someone accidentally touches the power cable, it will be safely disconnected from the laptop, and will not drag it along with it in an unknown direction. This is achieved thanks to a special magnet and a very shallow connector.
    • The adapter has become more powerful (85 W instead of the previous 65), and the battery is more energy-intensive (60 W/hour instead of 50).
    • According to tests from Apple, the performance of the MacBook Pro compared to the PowerBook G4 has increased by 4 times.
    • The backlit keyboard, large trackpad and almost silent operation of the computer received special praise from future users.

    Despite this, several disadvantages were noted in the new product: the FireWire 800 port and the PCMCIA slot were completely removed (a smaller ExpressCard/34 appeared instead), and the SuperDrive turned out to be significantly weaker than the one installed in the PowerBook G4.

    In October 2006, in addition to the new Intel Core 2 Duo processors, the entire MacBook Pro line received double the amount of RAM. Capacity hard drives was also increased.

    In June 2007, models appeared equipped with a backlit LED display, an Nvidia Geforce 8600M GT video card and support Wi-Fi networks 802.11n standard.

    And between mid-2007 and early 2008, models appeared with an improved Core 2 Duo processor with a frequency of up to 2.5 GHz, an FSB bus with a frequency of 667 MHz to 800 MHz (which increased the speed of communication between memory and central processor), even larger hard drive capacity and up to 8 GB of RAM.

    These were just the first MacBook Pro models, their display was surrounded by a wide plastic frame, which is now difficult to even imagine on Apple products. The next significant step was a complete redesign of the chassis, which brought us to the second generation of MacBook Pro laptops.

    Second generation MacBook Pro (Unibody)

    Release date: 2008
    Key Features:

    • Intel Core 2 Duo processor 2.26 GHz to 2.53 GHz
    • Hard drive from 160 to 320 GB
    • LCD display from 15” (1440 x 900) to 17” (1920 x 1200) with LED backlight
    • Video card NVIDIA GeForce 9400M and NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
    • RAM 2 GB, expandable up to 4 GB

    On October 14, 2008, during a press conference held at Apple headquarters, a new MacBook Pro model was presented, the key difference from previous versions became use of new Unibody cases.

    The essence of this technology comes down to the gradual “turning” of the laptop body from a single piece of aluminum, and not to the connection of pre-created parts. This allowed the new laptops to be made smaller and more durable.

    In addition to the new body, the MacBook Pro has also changed in its technical equipment:

    • The new line received a choice of two video cards: Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT with 256 or 512 MB of dedicated memory and GeForce 9400M with 256 MB of shared system memory.
    • Increased throughput FSB buses from 800 MHz to 1066 MHz.
    • Increased hard drive capacity with solid-state drive option.
    • The optical drive is no longer placed in front, but on the side of the case.
    • The keyboard has completely changed, and is now black with bright backlighting.
    • The trackpad has become larger, providing additional space for scrolling and using multi-touch gestures.
    • Magnetic gaskets have appeared on the lid instead of mechanical latches, so that when closing there is a small gap that allows you to conveniently open the laptop.
    • This is not to say that performance has increased slightly, be it the performance of the processor or video card.
    • The battery became removable, and access to the hard drive also appeared.

    The 17-inch Unibody version of the MacBook Pro was introduced in January 2009 at the MacWorld conference by Phil Schiller. This model differed from its 15-inch brother in a matte display version and a non-removable lithium-polymer battery.

    In June 2009, it was announced that all models will be equipped with a non-removable lithium polymer battery that allows up to seven hours of battery life.

    In April 2010, when the line received another update, the models received Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors, GeForce video card GT 330M with 256 or 512 MB of memory, the amount of RAM has increased to 8 GB. Inertial scrolling has also been added, making scrolling more evocative user interface iPhone and iPad.

    In February 2011, a new model range was released that received Intel Core i5 and i7 processors Sandy Bridge, the latest technology Intel Thunderbolt and FaceTime camera high resolution. Also, the new models could use discrete video cards from AMD: Radeon HD 6490M and Radeon HD 6750M.

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    Third generation MacBook Pro (Retina display)

    Release date: 2012
    Key Features:

    • Intel Core i5 and i7 processor 2.4 GHz to 2.6 GHz
    • Hard drive from 256 GB to 1 TB
    • Retina display from 13” (2560 x 1600) to 15” (2880 x 1800)
    • Video card built-in Intel HD Graphics 4000 and discrete NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M 1GB
    • RAM 4, 8 and 16 GB

    The generation of MacBook Pro laptops with Retina display was introduced on June 11, 2012 at WWDC. Apple positioned this laptop as a completely new line of MacBook Pro laptops.

    It might seem that the most significant difference from the previous generation is the Retina display. Of course, this innovation was an important step, because the quality of the picture has increased significantly, the image has become more contrasting, and there is much less glare. However, these are not all the features of the new generation:

    • The size and weight of laptops have changed - they have become thinner and lighter. In addition, a MacBook Pro model appeared with a 13-inch display.
    • Increased productivity and speed.
    • An important change was the joint work of the integrated GPU processor Ivy Bridge(Intel HD Graphics 4000) and discrete video card in the form of GeForce GT 650M.
    • The battery life has also increased.
    • The new model has two Thunderbolt ports, a pair of USB 3.0 ports, an SDXC card slot, HDMI port and a new MagSafe 2 connector.
    • The built-in camera has been upgraded to 720p.
    • The hard drive has been replaced with a full-fledged SSD drive.
    • A big plus was the increase in RAM.
    • The keyboard has changed a little, which has now become more protected from crumbs getting into it, which is why pressing the buttons has become more dense.

    Among the shortcomings, we can note the lack of an optical drive, which now may not be so important for users, and an Ethernet connector. Also, holes for ventilation appeared in the case in the bottom panel, which upset those who like to use the laptop while holding it on their laps.

    In 2013, the MacBook Pro underwent changes again - models with Intel processors Ivy Bridge 2.8 GHz ( Turbo Boost 3.8 GHz) and Intel Haswell 2.6 GHz (Turbo Boost 3.8 GHz). Also updated in the fall of 2013 GPU– now fully equipped models have Intel Iris Pro Graphics and NVidia GeForce GT 750M 2GB.

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