I was relatively late - by the standards of laptop history - to the developments in the field of portable computers, when the first version of the PowerBook was introduced in the early nineties. Of course, at school we had Apple computers II, which we learned to work with, but my first “buy with my own money” Apple was a Power Macintosh G3 computer, which I purchased in 1998 more out of curiosity than necessity.
I didn't play the games that were popular back then - System Shock 2, Ultima IX, Planescape: Torment. At that time, I was graduating from university with a degree in creative writing, so I used the computer mainly as a typewriter. It had Macromedia's suite of web editing tools, some elements of the then-nascent web design in OS 9's purple look, and seemingly over-the-top programs like Sherlock (a search program that was the predecessor to Spotlight) and iTools (which later evolved into the .Mac, then Mobile Me and finally iCloud).
PowerBook 170. 1991 Source: deepapple.com.
In the early 2000s, when choosing between Apple and Windows machines, I impulsively bought the new PowerBook G4s in titanium, the model with a 12-inch display (again, more out of curiosity). By today's standards - compared to, say, MacBook Air The PowerBook G4 I'm using to write this article looks like a metallic behemoth. But in fact, this machine was not lacking in power: perhaps few people remember, but World of Warcraft was quietly running on it before the game developer Blizzard handed over the code base.
But let's move on to the line itself MacBook Pro.
2006: First MacBook Pro
MacBook Pro, 2006. Photo: lowendmac.com.
The history of the MacBook begins with the Macworld 2006 conference, held January 9-13, where Steve Jobs introduced Apple's first Intel-based laptop, called the MacBook Pro.
“It’s no secret that we tried to cram the PowerPC G5 into a PowerBook chassis, but we couldn’t because of the high power consumption,” Jobs said at the time, explaining that the design choice was based on calculating “performance per watt of power consumed.”
According to Apple's report, the G4's performance on this metric was 0.27, while the newer G5 performed worse at 0.23. For comparison, the then brand new Core Duo processor demonstrated 1.05 or 4.5 times the performance of the PowerPC G4.
“Core Duo was designed from the ground up for this,” Jobs said at the presentation. - And today we present new laptop based on this processor, which we call MacBook Pro. We chose this new name because we have practically solved the performance issue, and in addition, we want the Mac prefix to be in the name of our products.”
I immediately bought this laptop for myself. I don’t remember exactly how much I paid, but something like 2.5 thousand dollars. The 15-inch model weighed slightly less than the PowerBook G4 - about 2.5 kg, and was slightly thinner - 2.5 cm.
But this computer was equipped with Core Duo processors with frequencies from 1.83 GHz to 2.16 GHz, two memory slots up to 2 GB RAM, hard drive from 80 to 120 GB, LCD displays from 15.4 inches with a resolution of 1440 x 900 to 17 inches with a resolution of 1680 x 1050, ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 video card, optical DVD drive, built-in Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth, two USB ports (three on the 17-inch model), one Firewire port, an ExpressCard 3/4 slot (replacing the PC Card slot found on the PowerBook G4), and a dual-link DVI port.
It was also the first Apple laptop with a built-in iSight camera (previously you had to carry a separate camera) and an infrared sensor that allowed you to control the FrontRow media player remotely. In addition, for the first time, the laptop has a MagSafe power connector, which makes connecting the power cord quick and easy and prevents the laptop from falling if someone accidentally touches the cord with their foot.
These were early models that still had a ridiculous (as it seems now) strip of plastic sticking out between the monitor and the base. Disassembling and reassembling the laptop was a whole procedure. I had to replace the hard drive twice, and each time I had to sweat to get that piece of plastic back in place.
Since then, Apple has updated the MacBook Pro twice every year. In October 2006, a model with a new Core processor 2 Duo and large volume hard drive. In June 2007, models appeared equipped with a backlit LED display, an ATI 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 total memory up to 8 GB.
2008: Unibody MacBook Pro
It took Apple two years to develop the next major design change. During a "special presentation" on October 14, 2008 at the company's headquarters in Cupertino, Steve Jobs presented a significantly redesigned MacBook Pro in a thin case made by milling from a single piece of aluminum, equipped with a Multitouch trackpad.
"A laptop that's beautiful inside and out," Jobs described it, adding that the all-metal chassis "saves half the parts" and that it's a "much more durable and rigid design."
Port connectors in new Pro shifted to the left side of the body, which freed up space on right side For optical disk, which was previously located in front of the base. The lid now has magnetic gaskets instead of mechanical latches, so that when closing there is a small gap that allows you to conveniently open the laptop.
The new Pros also feature widescreen glossy screens, large glossy trackpads (which recognize four types of touch), increased FSB bandwidth from 800 MHz to 1066 MHz, larger hard drive capacity with an SSD option, and select Nvidia GeForce 9000 series mobile graphics cards included in two different systems: One for low power daily use and one for more intensive 3D work. The weight of the laptop remains approximately the same as the first MacBook Pro - 2.5 kg. The parameters have changed slightly: they have become a couple of millimeters smaller in height and width.
It's worth considering that this presentation took place just eight months after Jobs declassified the MacBook Air, Apple's new ultra-thin laptop. So this was more of a concession, a way to fit the MacBook line into the new design aesthetic introduced with the Air.
The all-metal MacBook Pro was initially available in only one configuration - with a 15-inch display, although a few months later a model with a 17-inch display was introduced at WWDC 2009. On October 14, 2008, Apple also announced the start of sales of an aluminum laptop with a 13-inch display, but called it simply MacBook without the Pro prefix, thereby marking the product’s place as the youngest in the plastic MacBook family.
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
On June 6, 2005, at the Worldwide Developer Conference, Steve Jobs announced the imminent arrival of a 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 of the company Apple new MacBook Pro laptops.
First generation MacBook Pro
`
Release date: 2006
Main characteristics:
- CPU Intel Core Duo from 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 capacity random access memory. 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 network support Wi-Fi standard 802.11n.
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 the central processor), and an even larger amount of hard disk space. disk and RAM up to 8 GB.
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
Main characteristics:
- 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, it was presented new model MacBook Pro, key difference which 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, which 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 processors Core i5 and Core i7, GeForce video card GT 330M with 256 or 512 MB of memory, the amount of RAM has increased to 8 GB. Inertial scrolling was also added, thanks to which the use of scrolling began to evoke the user's memory iPhone interface and iPad.
In February 2011, a new model range was released that received Intel Core i5 and i7 Sandy Bridge processors, the latest technology Intel Thunderbolt and high definition FaceTime camera. Also in the new models it was possible to use discrete video cards from AMD: Radeon HD 6490M and Radeon HD 6750M.
Related articles:
Third generation MacBook Pro (Retina display)
Release date: year 2012
Main characteristics:
- 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 contrasty, 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 collaboration 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 features two Thunderbolt ports, a pair of USB 3.0 ports, an SDXC card slot, an 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.
- The 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.
Disadvantages include the lack 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 Ivy Bridge 2.8 GHz processors appeared ( 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 installed.
At the beginning / middle of 2017, the Apple laptop lineup is represented by six devices, and if the Cupertino team does not plan to reduce and replace individual products, it will soon become very difficult to navigate it. We will discuss below how this is most conveniently done in today’s realities.
All current Apple laptops in 2018
General information:
The lightest and smallest Apple laptop, the main features of which are 4 colors and the presence of only one USB-C port(which is used for charging, as well as for connecting peripheral devices using adapters (sold separately)). The laptop is popular among women.
CPU:
Option 1. Dual-core Intel Core m3 processor with a clock frequency of 1.1 GHz, Turbo acceleration Boost up to 2.2 GHz. Option 2. Dual-core Intel Core m5 processor clocked at 1.2 GHz, Turbo Boost up to 2.7 GHz.
Option 3. Dual-core Intel Core m7 processor clocked at 1.3 GHz, Turbo Boost up to 3.1 GHz.
Color: Silver, Gold, Space Grey, Rose Gold.
8 GB.
SSD drive: 256 GB or 512 GB.
GPU: Intel HD Graphics 515.
Ports: One USB-C connector (including for charging) and a 3.5 mm headphone output.
Weight: 0.92 kg.
Price: from 102,990 rubles to 134,490 rubles depending on the configuration.
MacBook Air
General information:
The cheapest Apple laptop. Since 2016, only a 13-inch version with a “non-Retina” display has been produced. MacBook Air has the most best time battery life among all current Apple laptops.
The lid of the MacBook Air has a “glowing apple”, unlike all new Apple laptops.
CPU:
Option 1. 1.6 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor (Turbo Boost up to 2.7 GHz). Option 2. 2.2 GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.2 GHz).
Color: Silver.
Amount of RAM: 8 GB.
SSD drive: 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB.
GPU: Intel HD Graphics 6000.
Ports: 1 Thunderbolt 2, 2 USB 2, 1 SDXC card slot, MagSafe 2 charging and 3.5mm headphone jack.
Weight: 1.35 kg.
Price: from 76,990 rubles to 115,490 rubles depending on the configuration.
MacBook Pro
General information:
Apple's most powerful laptop. The choice of professionals (programmers, designers, photographers, editors, etc.) The laptop is available in four models: two with a 13-inch, one with a 15-inch Retina display, released in 2016, and one 13-inch model, released in 2015.
Laptops released in 2016 feature improved wide trackpads and a new butterfly keyboard. The main innovations of the MacBook Pro 2016 are the touchpad Touch Bar(instead of the function keys F1-F12) and a Touch ID fingerprint scanner. All of the above innovations are not available in other Apple laptops.
At the same time, the cheapest version of the 2016 MacBook Pro did not receive either a Touch Bar or Touch ID.
The 2015 Macbook Pro with a 13-inch Retina display is the only current firmware that has a “glowing apple” lid.
Additionally, the new MacBook Pros lack USB and HDMI ports.
What you need to know when buying a MacBook Pro 2016:
Macbook Pro with 13-inch Retina display (2015)
CPU:
Option 1. 2.7 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.1 GHz). Option 2 Option 3. Dual-core Intel Core i7 processor clocked at 3.1 GHz (Turbo Boost up to 3.4 GHz).
Color: Silver.
Amount of RAM: 8 GB.
SSD drive: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB.
GPU: Intel Iris Graphics 6100.
Ports: 2 Thunderbolt 2 ports, 2 USB 2 ports, 1 HDMI port, SDXC card slot, MagSafe 2 charging and 3.5mm headphone jack.
Weight: 1.5 kg.
Price: from 102,990 rubles to 193,990 rubles depending on the configuration.
Macbook Pro 13" Retina Display without Touch Bar and Touch ID (2016)
CPU:
Option 1. 2.0 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.1 GHz).
Option 2. 2.4 GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.4 GHz).
Color:
Amount of RAM: 8 GB or 16 GB.
SSD drive: 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB.
GPU: Intel Iris Graphics 540.
Ports: 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports (each port can be used for charging) and 3.5mm headphone output.
Weight: 1.37 kg.
Price: from 116,990 rubles to 193,990 rubles depending on the configuration.
Macbook Pro with 13-inch Retina display (2016)
CPU:
Option 1. 2.9 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.3 GHz).
Option 2. 3.1 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.5 GHz).
Option 3. 3.3 GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.6 GHz).
Color:"Space gray" or silver.
Amount of RAM: 8 GB or 16 GB.
SSD drive: 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB.
GPU: Intel Iris Graphics 550.
Ports:Four Thunderbolt 3 ports (each port can be used for charging) and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Touch Bar and Touch ID.
Weight: 1.37 kg.
Price: from 137,990 rubles to 214,990 rubles depending on the configuration.
Macbook Pro with 15-inch Retina display (2016)
CPU:
Option 1. 2.6 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boot acceleration up to 3.5 GHz).
Option 2. 2.7 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.6 GHz).
Option 3. 2.9 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boot boost up to 3.8 GHz).
Color:"Space gray" or silver.
Amount of RAM: 16 GB.
SSD drive: 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB or 2 TB.
GPU (3 options): Radeon Pro 450 with 2 GB memory, Radeon Pro 455 with 2 GB memory, or Radeon Pro 460 with 4 GB memory.
Ports:Four Thunderbolt 3 ports (each port can be used for charging) and 3.5mm headphone jack.
Touch Bar and Touch ID.
Weight: 1.83 kg.
Price: from 179,990 rubles to 312,990 rubles depending on the configuration.
At the end of 2015 / beginning of 2016, the model range is represented by six devices, and if the Cupertino team does not plan to reduce and replace individual products, it will soon become quite difficult to navigate it. We will discuss below how this is most conveniently done in today’s realities.
Types of Apple laptops
MacBook
Main characteristics:
12-inch Retina display (screen with high resolution). The laptop is available in 3 colors: silver, gold and gray space. Apple's thinnest and lightest laptop. The trackpad is equipped with Force Touch technology (recognizes pressure). The laptop does not have the usual USB ports (the USB-C interface is used for charging and data transfer). The Macbook is equipped with a dual-core Intel Core M processor clocked at 1.1 GHz, 1.2 GHz, or 1.3 GHz (Turbo Boost up to 2.9 GHz). The amount of RAM is 8 GB. Flash storage up to 512 GB
Main characteristics:
Available with an 11- or 13-inch “non-Retina” display. Ports: two USB 3 and one Thunderbolt 2. Silver color. Macbook Air is equipped with a 1.6 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor or a 2.2 GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.2 GHz). The amount of RAM is 4 GB or 8 GB. Flash storage up to 512 GB.
Main characteristics:
Apple's most powerful laptop. Available in three versions: with a 13- or 15-inch Retina display and a 13-inch “non-Retina” display. Retina MacBooks are equipped with a trackpad with Force Touch technology (recognizes pressure). Ports: two USB 3 and two Thunderbolt 2.
Macbook Pro 13" Equipped with a dual-core Intel Core i5 processor clocked at 2.5 GHz (Turbo Boost up to 3.1 GHz). Silver color. The amount of RAM is 4 GB. HDD 5400 rpm with a capacity of 500 GB.
Macbook Pro with 13-inch Retina display Features a 2.7 GHz or 2.9 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, or a 3.1 GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.4 GHz). Silver color. 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 2.2 GHz, 2.5 GHz or 2.8 GHz (Turbo Boost up to 4.0 GHz).
Silver color. The amount of RAM is up to 16 GB. Flash drive up to 1 TB.
You can immediately remove two models from the list proposed by Apple, 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, physically. One can’t help but wonder why Apple hasn’t removed them from sale yet? The “Pro” series laptop is equipped with a frankly old type of processor, a mechanical hard drive with a rotation speed of 5400 rpm, primitive by today’s standards, 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 strong cars, something this particular model is clearly no longer capable of.
With the 11-inch MacBook Air, everything is simpler - it was initially deliberately kept in the shadow of its prestigious brother with a more spacious display. This is a clear offer for those who are short on funds, but definitely want to own a branded laptop from the Apple brand. Previously, before the mass introduction of Retina screens, such an approach was more than justified, but after the release of the new 12-inch MacBook, and then iPad Pro and the 27-inch iMac with incredible displays are all a thing of the past. Apple has clearly set a course for the development of families of promising monitors - old, budget laptops simply do not fit into the new paradigm.
Advantages and disadvantages of the MacBook model
The newest, most advanced and prettiest, the lightest and thinnest representative of the model range. The 2015 MacBook is a quiet, innovative and ambitious forerunner of the laptops of the near future. As you can see, only two sentences are enough to describe strengths of this device, but learning the downsides 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. Let's 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 conventionally 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 processors of the 5th Intel generation Core.
It’s not a disaster yet, but coupled with the Intel HD 5300 graphics module, which has the status of one of the slowest integrated solutions of our time, it’s 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 family of operating systems - the former tend to use the DirectX package, the latter are adapted for OpenGL. But still latest macbook with a certain probability he will yield to his brothers in everything that concerns the implementation of truly serious tasks.
There is a catch with the operation of the only USB-C port, although it is the most advanced. Two-way, high-speed, universal and at the same time almost useless in the absence of an adapter - interaction with peripheral devices in the case of the MacBook, contrary to the assurances of marketers, it forces users to be inventive. This is such discomfort at your own expense.
Macbook Specifications and Price (click to enlarge)
Fair criticism of the MacBook Pro 15 inches
We have before us the most productive member of the Mac family of mobile computers – that’s a fact. If other models compete with each other to one degree or another, having overlapping characteristics in a number of parameters, then the 15-inch “professional” laptop clearly looks down on these disputes. If you need to acquire a powerful and transportable workstation made by Apple, the choice would seem obvious. However, there is one “but”.
Being well designed overall, the 15-inch MacBook Pro is equipped with the 4th, not even the fifth, generation of Intel Core processors. Meanwhile, last September it became known for certain about the upcoming transfer of promising products from the apple company to the use of Skylake chips. And most likely, the top-end laptop will undergo a large-scale redesign, during which everything old, including the AMD Radeon R9 M370X GPU, will be replaced with new and advanced ones.
This will naturally entail a colossal mobile device a general increase in performance and, possibly, new records in specific tests. So is there any point in spending a considerable amount of money if the model becomes obsolete within a matter of months? If you need a good laptop with your favorite logo here and now, then yes, it does. And vice versa - such funds can be used in a more interesting way.
Macbook Pro specs and price (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 MacBook has been on the market for six months already without any prefixes in the name, which is much lighter. And the representatives of the Pro family have lost so much weight that only the 15-inch model is noticeably different from its Air counterparts. As for the MacBook Pro 13 inches, the difference of 0.5 kg in weight is noticeable only while you are 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.
Macbook Air specifications and price (click to enlarge)
Additional weight means the presence of a significantly more solid filling, for example, the difference in the processor clock frequency of 1.1 GHz in favor of the MacBook Pro, and the model of the built-in graphics module is a notch higher, but also higher. It has twice the volume and 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 systems wireless communication"pro-laptop" can boast the presence of an advanced touchpad with support for Force Touch technology. In fact, its “air brother” is inferior to its colleague in everything, demonstrating only a longer continuous operation time. And not by much, 12 hours of active surfing the Internet using wireless connection versus 10 hours for the MacBook Pro, although the performance is the same when working with video.
From subject-specific comparisons to a general assessment, the 13-inch MacBook Air is the finale, the final point in the existence of the “Air” subfamily. Having squeezed everything possible out of the concept, Apple did not consider it advisable to prolong the agony. Laptop not received neither the already ubiquitous Retina display, nor the innovative touch input system using “force gestures”. In almost complete contrast, the 13-inch MacBook Pro looks like a strong mid-ranger, the company's main sales target in this region. price category, for which she 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 a financial gap is not part of your plans, then it makes sense to buy a 13-inch MacBook Air.
In all other respects, the current MacBook Pro 13 with Retina display is: best laptop made by Apple, based on the ratio of performance/innovation/ease of use.
Based on materials from yablyk
20 years ago, Apple introduced the world to its first portable computer (it’s quite difficult to call it a laptop due to its impressive size) Macintosh Portable. Edition Ars Technica took an excursion into the past and once again recalled the most memorable laptops released in Cupertino. Memorable both in the good sense of the word and not so much.
September marked 20 years since the creation of the first portable Macintosh computer, proudly called the Macintosh Portable. To be fair, it should be noted that it was in fact portable, but its size was far from miniature. The first portable Mac weighed about 7.26 kg, and its dimensions were approximately 10 cm x 38 cm x 37 cm. Quite primitive by today's standards, the 9.8-inch screen with a resolution of 640 * 480 was very expensive and quite rare for that time thanks to the active matrix, because then most similar machines had passive matrices. Unfortunately, the screen did not have a backlight, so the active matrix did not bring much joy to users.
The first Mac Portable, released in September 1989, sold for $6,500, and it's not surprising that this model never became a top seller. Her technical capabilities were quite modest even for their time: 16MHz, 68000CPU, 1MB RAM and 40MB hard drive memory. In February 1991, the model was updated, providing it with a backlit screen, but in October of the same year Apple company discontinued development of the Mac Portable with the release of its first PowerBook 100.
This is how the history of Apple laptops began.
PowerBook 170
Introduced in October 1991, the PowerBook 100 included several innovative solutions that are now used everywhere in laptops of all models and types. In particular, its keyboard was moved towards the screen, and the cursor control (mouse) was located in the front center, and took the shape of a ball. Also this model had a standard set of ports for Macs, including ADB, SCSI and a serial port.
The PowerBook 170 was one of the first three PowerBook models to hit the scene in October 1991. It differed from its brothers - the PowerBook 100 and 140 - in its black-and-white display with an active matrix, as well as a 68030 processor at 25MHz. Of course, all this computing power also came at a higher cost: the 170 model sold for $4,600, $2,100 more than the PowerBook 100 with its 16MHz 68000 processor.
The PowerBook 170 weighed about 3.1 kilograms, a full 4 kilograms less than its Mac Portable predecessor, and was also much smaller in size: 5.7cm x 28.57cm x 23.62cm. It lasted only a year on the market until it was replaced by the PowerBook 180, but it was thanks to it that a real revolution in laptop design took place.
PowerBook Duo 250
Over the past 20 years, Apple has repeatedly tried to create the perfect ultra compact laptop. The first attempt was the PowerBook Duo - a thinner and lighter laptop, with limited upgrade options and a complete lack of disk drives. The first model in this series was the PowerBook Duo 210, released in October 1992. A year later, the PowerBook Duo 250 appeared, with a black-and-white active matrix display and considerable computing power for such a (relatively) compact model.
The Duo had a 68030 processor at 33MHz, 4MB RAM and a 200MB hard drive. His only connection with outside world there was a serial port to which you could connect a modem or printer. If you wanted to connect it to a monitor, an external SCSI drive, or a floppy disk, you were offered to additionally buy a Duo Dock, equipped with all the necessary ports, as well as a NuBus bus. The Dock cost $500, in addition to the original $2,600 for the Duo 250, but allowed you to turn your compact laptop into almost a full-fledged desktop station.
PowerBook 540c
The years following the untimely death of the Macintosh Portable were marked by the release of the PowerBook 100 line. All laptops in this series were heavy gray "suitcases" with a ball mouse and a 68030 processor. Then, in May 19994, Apple released the "Blackbird" - PowerBook series 500, the undisputed leader of which was the PowerBook 540c.
The PowerBook 540c boasted a 33MHz 68LC040 processor (this processor was first used in this model), 4 MB of RAM (which could be “upgraded” to 12 MB) and a 320MB hard drive. The 9.5-inch color display with an active matrix became a real sensation of that time. The 540c, 520, 520c, and 540 models debuted a touchpad and built-in Ethernet. The PowerBook 540c could be upgraded to a PowerPC CPU using additional card. Other benefits included the ability to hold two NiMH batteries that provided 5 hours of runtime, a built-in modem, and memory card support via an optional docking station.
Perhaps the best thing about the PowerBook 540c was that it was truly fast compared to other laptops of the early 90s. The PowerBook 540c appeared at the dawn of the Power Macintosh era, but its modern counterpart, the Power Mac 6100/60, is hardly perceived now as a speed demon with its 60MHz PPC 601 processor. The PowerBook 540c became the last top-end Apple laptop, as the company introduced the PowerBook line into the PowerPC architecture a couple of years later.
PowerBook G3 250MHz (Wallstreet)
Although Apple introduced its first PowerPC-based laptop in 1995 (better known as the PowerBook 5300), the truly noteworthy Wallstreet PowerBook G3 didn't arrive until May 1998. Wallstreet was not the first laptop to use the G3 processor (PowerPC 750), that honor went to the Kanga, released in November 1997, but it was the first laptop specifically designed to run the G3.
Wallstreet was built on a processor that was designed specifically for Apple laptops, with various configurations to suit any budget. The model with a 233MHz processor, 32MB RAM and a 12.1-inch color display sold for $2,299 (without disk drive, modem and L2 cache); a model with a 292 MHz processor with 64MB of memory and a 14.1-inch display was offered for “only” $5,599. The most successful model in terms of price-quality ratio was the model with a 250MHz processor with a 13.3-inch display supporting a resolution of 1024x768 and offered for $3899.
It's worth noting that this was the very first Apple laptop that could boot into Mac OS X.
PowerBook G3 (Pismo)
The Pismo was the culmination of the G3 generation of notebook designs. Although it looked similar to Wallstreet, the inside was completely different. Pismo marked the beginning of a new era by becoming the first model without SCSI support. Instead, it was equipped with two FireWire and two USB ports. It was also the first PowerBook to support 802.11b using an alternative AirPort card.
Released in February 2000, the Pismo boasted a 100MHz processor, significantly outperforming its predecessor with just a 66MHz processor (Lombard with bronze keyboard). Also, Pismo was equipped with an ATI Rage Mobility 128 graphics card and a 14.1-inch display with a resolution of 1024x768. The $3,499 500MHz model might seem expensive, but when compared to the mid-1998 Wallstreet 292MHz $5,600 model, the Pismo was reasonably priced.
Having abandoned the SCSI port, Apple introduced another feature that is still actively used by users of Macs equipped with a Firewire port: Firewire Target Disk Mode. While AirPort support was an option, the Pismo was the first laptop to be able to stay connected to the rest of the world while within range of an 802.11b wireless port.
Aluminum PowerBook G4
It is still a controversial question which MacBook was better - the Titanium PowerBook or the Aluminum PowerBook. While the Titanium PowerBook made a splash in January 2001 with its slim profile and sleek design, we're still rooting for the aluminum PowerBook G4, with its backlit keyboard and three size options, which first debuted in San Francisco in January 2003.
Apple initially released two AlBook sizes: 12 inches and 17 inches. In September 2003, the 15-inch model finally replaced the 15-inch TiBook. The 12-inch model was a bit reminiscent of the PowerBook Duo in its compact size, but at $1,799 it was quite a powerful machine with an 867MHz processor. Instead of a PC Card slot, a mini-VGA connector appeared, DVD drive and a full complement of Ethernet, USB and Firewire ports.
The 17-inch AlBook has become a real alternative to desktop PCs with a 1.0GHz PowerPC 7455 processor and a 167MHz system bus. The 1440x900 display resolution was certainly not ideal, but it was still big step an improvement over the TiBooks 1280x854 display. Also, this model was only 1 inch thick.
AlBook became the latest laptop in the PowerBook series. Apple shipped the last PowerBook G4 in April 2006, due to the transition to Intel's x86 architecture. However, the model's design survived almost until October 2008 in the form of the MacBook Pro.
Intel era
MacBook Air
Until the release of the MacBook Air, Apple's Intel laptops could be described as more evolutionary than revolutionary. At first glance, the MacBook Pro was almost the same as the Aluminum PowerBook, only with Intel hardware, while the white and black MacBooks were a logical continuation of the white iBook series with two USB ports.
However, everything changed with the advent of the MacBook Air. Introduced in January 2008, it was Apple's first serious attempt at an ultra-compact laptop since the PowerBook 2400c of the mid-nineties. This time the attempt was a success - the MacBook Air body does not exceed 1.93 cm in thickness and weighs only 1.36 kg.
Of course, certain sacrifices had to be made to achieve such compactness. MacBook Air doesn't have optical drive, Firewire and Ethernet ports - only one USB port, a headphone input and a microVDI port (miniDisplay Port for the second generation). Plus, some complaints were caused by battery life, weak video card...
Apple tried to solve most of these problems by releasing updated version MacBook Air this June, adding a new graphics card from Nvidia, increasing battery capacity and slightly increasing processor speed. The new MacBook Air is perhaps the most advanced Apple laptop in years, if not in Apple's entire history.
MacBook Pro (Unibody)
Apple took quite a long time to redesign the MacBook Pro line after switching to Intel processors. When new design was finally unveiled in October 2008, it was clear that it was worth the wait. And when the 13-inch version of the MacBook Pro was introduced in Cupertino in June 2009, it became perhaps the most attractive model among Apple laptops ever released. MacBook Pro is made from a single piece of aluminum, giving it a tougher feel than its MacBook Pro and AlBooks predecessors.
2006, which marked the end of the PowerBook line, was also the last year for the 12-inch Pro series laptops. Now users who wanted to purchase a laptop with a display smaller than 15 inches could only switch to a MacBook. Apple corrected this unfortunate fact with the release of the Unibody MacBook Pro series, available in sizes 13, 15 and 17 inches. Also, those who do not like glossy screens have the opportunity to order a matte screen.
The following innovations were also introduced in June: the case latch was replaced with a magnetic one, with touchpad The button disappeared, and it itself began to function as a button, and a slot for an SD card was added. Unibody MacBooks have received the most criticism for their non-removable batteries. However, those who were very annoyed by the loose lid at the bottom of the case did not really object to such an innovation. In addition, as it turned out, the battery can still be removed if you really don’t want to pay the Apple service for it).
A couple of losers
However, not everything was sunshine and beauty in the land of Apple laptops. There were also frankly disastrous models that forced their owners to put on a hair shirt and sprinkle ashes on their heads.
PowerBook 5300
The first laptop with a PowerPC processor is probably not even worth remembering. The PowerBook 5300 was released in August 1995 in 4 configurations, three of which were equipped with 100MHz Power PC 603e processors; and one has a 117MHz processor. Models with 100MHz processors were offered with B&W passive matrix displays, color passive matrix displays, and color active matrix displays. The 5300ce/117 model, which cost $6,500 (3 times the price of the 5300/100), also had an active matrix display.
It would seem that with PowerPC processors and expansion cards that could be changed without turning off the computer, Apple's transition to PPC architecture should have been quite successful. Unfortunately, some not entirely successful design decisions led to the fact that this series only became successful with the advent of the PowerBook 1400 15 months later.
Expansion cards are cool, of course, but only until you realize that they are so healthy that you can fit in them CD-ROM drive. Plus, the 5300 wasn't all that fast. In fact, the lack of L2 cache and the paucity of software written specifically for the PowerPC meant that in some cases the PowerBook 5300 was even slower than the PowerBook 540. Apple also had to recall the first batch of PowerBook 5300 after overheating on two occasions. batteries caused a fire. The batteries that replaced them were less fire hazardous, but were inferior to the first ones in terms of battery life.
iBook G3 (dual-USB)
Apple's original clamshell iBooks, due to their shape, handles, and bright colors, were perceived more as hobby toys than full-fledged computers. In May 2001, their creators presented the world with a new version of the iBook - completely white, with two USB ports. Also new version Graphics processing speed has been improved, the processor has become faster, VGA output has appeared and other new features make it a worthy member of the Apple family, at least at first glance.
Although the iBook had a 500MHz processor, its weak point was the system bus with a frequency of only 66MHz, due to which the iBook was even slower than the 500MHz Pismo. With Mac OS 9.1 installed on the iBook by default, its performance was even more or less tolerable, but users who installed Mac OS X really suffered from system bus slowness.
However, the biggest problem with the iBook was the motherboards failing, which had obvious video problems. At first the screen began to behave somewhat strangely, shortly after which motherboard ordered to live long. A whole group of disappointed users sued Apple, which resulted in an extension of the deadline warranty service up to three years. Unfortunately, even after updating the iBook line, the version with the G4 processor developed the same problem, which, by the way, was never recognized as under warranty.
Loading...
