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New MacBook Pro: ten facts. MacBook Air – Review of an Apple laptop that can handle most tasks

This is already the third year since we know the MacBook as it is. After initially being a "laptop without an ecosystem" and then a "laptop we're still getting used to", it now seems like the MacBook has finally found its niche. It has firmly established itself in the Apple laptop line, and has won the recognition of its customers.

But perhaps you are still waiting. You out there, outside of the enthusiastic fans, are still not convinced that the MacBook is a good buy.

Well I have good news: A fresh MacBook is an even better purchase than it was before, thanks to improved performance after upgrading the processor and graphics adapter. Here's what Apple offers new version MacBook: small and lightweight laptop, in which a very playful horse is hiding.

Kaby Lake, graphics, SSD in the new MacBook

The speed increase is mainly due to Kaby Lake, Intel's seventh generation processors. In the MacBook model for 94,990 rubles (which, for the most part, this review is focused on), you will find a dual-core Intel processor Core m3 1.2 GHz with function Turbo Boost up to 3.0 GHz, replacing dual-core processor Intel Core m3 Skylake, which was equipped with the MacBook released in 2016.

Apple also offers MacBook model for 116,990 rubles, where you have a dual-core Kaby Lake 1.3 GHz Intel Core i5 processor with the ability to overclock Turbo Boost up to 3.2 GHz. It replaces dual core Skylake processor Intel Core m5 1.2 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.7 GHz.

The MacBook video adapter also underwent an upgrade. It's just as integrated graphics chip(that is GPU is part of the main chip and uses part of the computer's main memory), specifically the Intel HD Graphics 615. It replaces the Intel HD Graphics 515 from the 2016 model.

And the crown of the list of high-speed upgrades is Apple’s statement that, thanks to improved hardware controllers, all monolithic SSD drives on all the company’s laptops have become 50% faster.

Benchmarks

To find out how much the speed performance of the 2017 MacBook has improved, we conducted a series of control tests and compared the results with similar ones - from previous models. We also included the new 13-inch 2.3GHz Core i5 in these tests MacBook Pro 2017 is a model that does not have a Touch Bar, like other Pro models.

Geekbench 64-bit Single-Core and Multi-Core CPU Test

The Geekbench 4 64-bit Single-Core benchmark measures a computer's performance on CPU-intensive tasks that require just one core to process, such as using a web browser, spreadsheets, text editor or mail program. According to this test, to no one's surprise, new MacBook with its Kaby Lake processor, the Intel Core m3 outperformed the 2016 and 2015 models. What was really surprising were the indicators of how much it bypassed.

The new model is 28% faster than the 2016 MacBook with its Intel Core m5. And the even older 2015 model with its Intel Core M 1.1GHz processor was completely trampled into dust by the 2017 model, beating it with an improvement of 63%.

As expected, the new 13-inch MacBook Pro was faster than the new MacBook, although only by 10%.

To understand how the processor copes with multi-core tasks, we used the Geekbench 64-bit Multi-Core test. And again we saw a significant increase in speed in the new Kaby Lake MacBook - compared to last year's MacBook new model 21% faster And the increase in speed compared to the 2015 MacBook processor is clearly something to brag about: a whopping 67%.

Cinebench OpenGL Test

We tested the GPU on the new MacBook using the Cinebench OpenGL benchmark. Here's a new MacBook, with it Intel chip HD Graphics 615 showed a 22% improvement over last year's MacBook equipped with Intel HD Graphics 515. The increase becomes truly dramatic when compared to the 2016 MacBook model with an integrated Intel HD Graphics 5300 chip: the increase reaches 181%. (No, that's not a typo.)

Almost the same in appearance

All the changes in the new laptop are hidden inside. On the outside, the MacBook remains the same as it was last year and the year before. The aluminum body is available in four colors: grey, silver, gold and rose gold. MacBook is the smallest and lightest Apple laptop, measuring 28.05 cm in length and 19.65 cm in width, 0.35-1.31 cm in thickness and weighing less than a kilogram.

12" Retina display 2304x1440 looks amazing, although I often found myself thinking it was a little smaller than I would have liked. I set the More Space mode - “more space” - which turned the screen resolution to 1440x900 rather than the default 1280x800. It turned out, however, that while I was enjoying extra space on the screen, periodically I could barely see some things on it. Still, I prefer the 13-inch screen like on the MacBook Pro. Also equipped with a 13-inch screen MacBook Air, but it's not Retina anymore, so the image quality isn't that good.

And also a keyboard. Grrr, how I don’t love this keyboard, and it’s the same one that went on the MacBook Pro, there’s no getting away from it. It's a little too flat for my liking - I like keys that have a deeper press and more bounce. It seems that Apple decided to reproduce the printing method on on-screen keyboard iPad, as far as this is possible in principle, perhaps not yet completely getting rid of physical buttons. External keyboard The Apple Magic Keyboard, using the older scissor switches mechanism, is much more convenient for me.

The MacBook is quite small, which is great because you'll need room in your bag for adapters and hubs. This laptop still has only one left USB-C port, which makes connecting multiple peripheral devices somewhat problematic. Plus, this single port is also the power adapter slot, so it will definitely be busy while charging.

So it might be a good idea to spend some money on a good USB-C hub. Otherwise, be prepared to rely entirely on wireless connection for tasks such as moving files.
2017 12" MacBook sitting on top of a 13" MacBook Air

Let's sum it up

Like many Apple products, it takes a generation or two before a new product line gets into its groove. Thanks to the Kaby Lake processors, the new MacBook has a huge performance gain that undoubtedly increases its value significantly compared to when the MacBook first came to market. The current MacBook is something to brag about.

If you have last year's MacBook, you can probably get by without upgrading. But if your MacBook is already two years old, and you like (or at least are already accustomed to) its small size, it’s time to transfer it to other reliable hands or sell it. The speed gain over 2015 is incredible and definitely worth the cost.

Are you new and haven't tried MacBook before? Know that this laptop prioritizes portability over performance. However, the loss of productivity is not as great as it once was. Even with the additional adapters and USB-C hub that you'll have to buy, the MacBook won't take up much space in your bag or put too much of a strain on your shoulder. And you will get a laptop that is quite affordable for its price.

This review will focus on the MacBook versions presented at WWDC 2017. We learn what we focus on Latest updates these devices.

The period between June 5th and 9th was marked by the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (abbreviated WWDC). A lot of interesting things happened at this conference. First of all, it was presented new iPad Pro (10.5 and 12.9 inches). Also, the world saw the long-awaited 11th iOS version. However, improved versions of MacBooks have attracted a lot of attention. In particular, an improved 12-inch MacBook, 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro, as well as a 13-inch MacBook Air were presented. Let's find out what the updated devices will be able to please their fans.

12-inch MacBook Specifications



Anyone who was expecting something truly new will be slightly disappointed. In fact, this model is no different from previous versions, although important improvements are still present. But let's go in order.

  1. Delivery set, external design. This is the first point that will not surprise fans of Apple laptops. The device has retained its shape and dimensions. It is still a neat rectangle, measuring 281mm wide, 197mm deep and 13mm high. The device weighs 0.92 kg. Most likely, we can be happy about the preservation of these characteristics, because the 12-inch model in question was initially positioned as the standard of compactness. The updated Mac will also be delivered inside a neat white box, which will show the device in a closed state (an additional emphasis on its thinness). In addition to the gadget, the package contains the usual accompanying documentation, network adapter and cable under USB Type C. Unfortunately, there will be no adapter for other devices; it will have to be purchased additionally. The body of the device has retained a pleasant RoseGold shade. On the back cover of the display, of course, the user will see an elegant bitten apple. The device keys are black. This creates a rather nice contrast. Initially, this MacBook is positioned as a universal work machine, but color stereotypes are still popular, so the described model is more suitable for women.
  2. Screen. There were no changes here either. The device is equipped with a 12-inch screen, the basis of which is an IPS matrix. The maximum supported resolution is 2304x1440 pixels. There are still 226 dots concentrated on one inch. The picture quality and color rendition remained at the same level.
  3. Interface and wireless networks. For example of this device one can understand that Apple continues to dictate its terms of the “game” to users. The device supports HDMI, VGA, wired Internet, but there are no separate nests for them. There is only a port for USB Type-C. And if you want to use all the features of a Mac, you will have to buy a special adapter from third party manufacturers. But the combo output for microphone and headphones is in place, which is already pleasing. Also, the gadget supports popular types of wireless communications: Wi-Fi (such as 802.11a/g/n/ac) and, of course, version 4 of the Bluetooth network.
  4. Technical content. But here the engineers did a great job. The updated Mac will be equipped with an Intel Core i5 Kaby Lake processor. The initial operating frequency of the chip is 1.3 GHz, but with Turbo mode Boost it can be increased to 3.2 GHz. The video card has also improved. Now the integrated Intel HD Graphics 515 chip will be responsible for the graphics. The initial amount of RAM will be 8 GB (memory type LPDDR3), however, if desired, the owner can increase given value doubled. Improved performance will be facilitated by updated 256/512 GB SSDs.
  5. Autonomy. As for the battery, its exact capabilities are still unknown. However, the manufacturers claim that it will be better than the previous version of a similar device. From this we can conclude that its capacity will be greater than 5477 mAh (this is how much the battery of the older version of the 12-inch model had).

The price of a 12-inch MacBook in Russia will be $1,300.

Description of MacBook Pro 13 inches



This technical product also will not surprise its future owner, but Apple engineers have thought through certain improvements for it too.

  1. Design. In short, everything remained as it was. Technical elements are housed inside a silver case made of aluminum. The dimensions of the model are 325x227x24 mm. An Apple laptop weighs a little more than 2 kilograms. The location of the popular logo is unchanged - back cover screen. The device is controlled through the keyboard (it is black), as well as through the gray touchpad. Moreover, the Touch Bar (special Touchpad). However, there are options without it.
  2. Display. The image is displayed on a 13.3-inch diagonal LCD screen. The limit resolution is 1280x800 pixels. The display aspect ratio is 16:10.
  3. Performance. This MacBook was enhanced with an Intel Core i5 chip. Its starting frequency is 3.1 GHz. In addition, it is possible to overclock the cores to 3.5 GHz (you must agree, this is quite a high figure for laptops from Apple). As for the other technical components, they also remained almost unchanged. The Mac runs on 4 gigabytes of RAM, and information storage is provided by a pair of 250 GB solid-state drives. However, the user can get a more powerful machine (for example, with 8 gigabytes of RAM). The exact characteristics of the device will need to be clarified at the time of order.
  4. Autonomy. This figure was only slightly improved. If the previous version could work for 7 hours without recharging, then this one will last about 8.

The price of a 13-inch MacBook Pro in Russia depends on the availability of the Touch Bar. So, models without it will cost $1,300 (like the 12-inch analogue described above). If you want to have a Mac equipped with this pointing device, you will have to pay $1,800.

Improved 13-inch MacBook Air



Another product from Apple that has undergone minor changes, although they will please the potential owner.

  1. Designer execution- familiar to those who had previous versions of this MacBook model. The body is made of aluminum, which guarantees good strength. The dimensions of the product are 325x227x17 mm. The described device weighs only 1.35 kg. The model still looks stylish thanks to its pleasant light gray color. Command input is provided by a keyboard consisting of 79 elements. Like previous MacBooks described in this review, this model is primarily intended for work (hence the rigor of the design).
  2. Screen. High picture clarity is guaranteed by a 13.3-inch TFT liquid crystal display. The maximum resolution of the monitor is 1440x900 pixels. The screen is characterized by optimal contrast and good color rendition.
  3. Performance. Engineers equipped the updated MacBook Air with an Intel Core i5 chip. The nominal operating frequency of its cores is 1800 MHz. In addition, it is possible to increase performance up to 2900 MHz by overclocking. When purchasing this model, you can also order an assembly option containing an Intel Core i7 chip operating at a nominal frequency of 2.2 GHz. Improvements have also been made to the video card. Thus, previous versions of MacBook Air were equipped with an integrated Intel card HD Graphics 5000. No, the board in the updated version remains integrated, only now the HD Graphics 6000 processor is responsible for the graphics (the upgrade is minor, but pleasant). RAM completely doubled. Previously, the limit of these MacBooks was 4 GB. New Air will already have 8 GB of RAM on board. In addition, it is possible to increase the volume physical memory. The user can order a laptop that has solid state drive for 128, 256 or 512 GB.
  4. Interfaces and networks. As for compact laptop, there are quite a lot of ports here. In particular, there are a pair of USB 3.0 ports, one Thunderbolt 2 socket, a MagSafe 2 power connector, and an SDXC card slot. Of course, there is also a headphone jack. In respect of wireless networks everything is standard: available Wi-Fi support and Bluetooth.
  5. Autonomy. Regarding duration battery life, then here, too, we still have to rely on the capabilities of the previous version of the MacBook Air. The predecessor had a 45 W unit, which guaranteed 7 hours of off-grid operation. The updated version implies a slight improvement in autonomy. It can be assumed that the MacBook Air will be able to function without external power supply about 8 o'clock.

The price of a 13-inch MacBook Air in Russia will start at $1,000 (the exact cost depends on the technical content of the purchased model).

Characteristics of the updated 15-inch MacBook Pro



This model can be considered one of the leaders in terms of increasing productivity. Let's take a closer look at all the characteristics of the updated device.

  1. Appearance. Based on the above information, it is easy to guess that the external design remains the same. The model is 364 mm wide, 249 mm deep and 24 mm thick. The weight of the device is the largest among all the described models. It is almost 2.5 kg. External part aluminum body It has silver color. The surface surrounding the keyboard (including the touchpad) has a similar shade. But the keyboard itself and the frames around the display are black. The control module contains 79 buttons. The alphabetic and numeric symbols on the keyboard are made white; This contrast ensures good visibility of all characters.
  2. Screen- liquid crystal. Its diagonal length is 15.4 inches. Resolution is supported at 1440x900 pixels. The monitor has optimal picture clarity and color rendition.
  3. Performance. In short, the improvements affected everything. First of all, the Kaby Lake processor was installed. The initial operating frequency of its cores is 2900 MHz. If you run Turbo Boost mode, performance will increase by another 1000 MHz. previous version This MacBook had only 512 MB of integrated video memory. Now the 15-inch Pro can be equipped with a discrete Radeon Pro 555 or 560 card. The amount of video memory has increased to 4 GB. Memory type - GDDR5. The RAM values ​​have doubled (now they can reach 8 gigabytes). The drives have undergone the least improvements. As standard, there will be a 500 GB SSD on board, although its operating speed will increase, which will have a positive effect on the performance of the entire system.
  4. Autonomy. Accurate information There’s no word on the battery yet, but it won’t differ much from the battery that was equipped with the previous version of the Mac being described. The updated device is definitely guaranteed to have 7 hours of battery life, although most likely this indicator will increase.

The price of a 15-inch MacBook Pro in Russia will be $2,400. The cost may be higher; everything depends on the exact technical configuration.

Operating system of updated MacBooks



We will talk about this point separately, since it applies to all of the above-mentioned devices. The new macOS received whole line nice additions, including the following:

  1. A new one has been activated file system entitled High Sierra. This addition replaces the HFS system, which is three decades old. Thanks to High Sierra, improved general work macOS. In particular, files are now opened faster, and their downloading and uploading to the network has also become faster.
  2. The brand name has been updated Apple browser Safari. Now its speed exceeds that of its main competitor - Google Chrome. This is an extremely important achievement for Apple as a company that positions itself as one of the leaders in the global IT industry.
  3. Intelligent Tracking Prevention technology has appeared. It relates directly to Safari browser, however, it is worth considering separately. The reason for this honor is that this technology does not allow tracking search queries user, guaranteeing 100% privacy. Moreover, Intelligent Tracking Prevention has become a full-fledged substitute AdBlock extensions, since it will protect the Mac owner from annoying online advertising.
  4. The improvements also affected standard application called "Photo". From now on it will be posted there the simplest photo editor, which will allow even an extremely inexperienced user to correct images without any problems. Moreover, the photo sorting algorithm has also become more convenient and understandable.
  5. The last pleasant moment can be called a real step into the future, because macOS received support for a VR helmet HTC Vive. In other words, Apple started mastering full-fledged virtual reality.

Now we have finished the review of the updated Apple MacBook, presented at the 2017 WWDC conference. Based on the information received, we can conclude that American engineers have taken the path of seriously improving productivity, leaving other aspects aside. This step can be considered justified. Of course, some people will be disappointed old design updated models, but we love such gadgets not so much for appearance how much for them functionality. Subject to update operating system and hardware, the already extensive capabilities of Apple laptops have increased even more, so the replenishment client base Apple would be a logical outcome.

The line of MacBook Air laptops is regularly updated, this time the 11- and 13-inch models received fifth-generation Intel processors (Broadwell), an Intel HD Graphics 6000 graphics chip and a Thunderbolt 2 port.


Laptop Apple MacBook Air 13 2016 – Reviews TehnObzor

The storage in the new MacBook Air has become much faster, and battery life is longer. But some elements have not been updated, so the ultrabook leaves mixed impressions.


Apple MacBook Air design

The appearance of the MacBook Air has not changed for 5 years. And in vain, the classic design would not be harmed by thinner frames and a general reduction in area.

Dell XPS 13 considered too wide, 13-inch MacBook Pro Retina Takes up a lot of space on your lap, but they feel compact compared to the new Air.

The one-piece aluminum construction holds the screen firmly and does not flex when pressed. The housing can be cleaned with a regular damp cloth. The coating is easily scratched, so you should think about buying a cover in advance.


MacBook Air specifications

The 13-inch MacBook Air has better hardware than the 11-inch model, thanks largely to faster flash storage than its predecessor. Our laptop version had:

  • Processor: Dual-core Intel Core i5 with clock frequency 1.6 GHz (Turbo Boost up to 2.7 GHz) with 3 MB shared L3 cache
  • Graphic arts: Intel Graphics HD 6000
  • RAM: 8 GB, 1600 MHz DDR3
  • Screen: 13.3-inch, widescreen screen with LED backlight(1440 x 900)
  • Storage: 256GB PCIe-based flash storage (expandable up to 512GB)
  • Optical drive: no
  • Ports: two USB 3.0 (up to 5 Gbps); Thunderbolt 2 port (up to 20 Gbps); MagSafe 2 power port; SDXC card slot
  • Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi; IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible; wireless technology Bluetooth 4.0
  • Camera: 720p FaceTime HD camera
  • Weight: 1.35 kg
  • Size: 32.5 x 22.7 x 1.7 cm


Two ultrabook configurations:

First, for $999 (57,000 rubles): with Core processor i5 with a frequency of 1.6 GHz (up to 2.7 GHz in Turbo Boost mode), 128 GB of storage and 4 GB of RAM.

And the second option, which we tested, for $1,199 (68,300 rubles): a processor with a frequency of 1.6 GHz (up to 2.7 GHz in Turbo Boost), 4 GB of RAM and 256 GB of flash storage. You can increase the RAM to 8 GB for an additional $124 (7,000 rubles).

Ports and updates

One of the advantages of the MacBook Air over the 12-inch MacBook is large quantity connectors. On the left side there is a MagSafe 2 power connector, a USB 3.0 port and a headphone jack. Right: Thunderbolt 2, a second USB 3.0 port and a full-size SD card slot.

The 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro has twice as many Thunderbolt ports as the Air, and adds an HDMI port.

The operating system is OS X Yosemite (version 10.10) with a new colorful style - a welcome change from the cool gray tones of Mavericks.


The upgrade to X 10.11 El Capitan will be available for free and will bring a number of performance improvements, as well as features such as Split View(split screen) and Spaces Bar (additional desktops).

Software

The MacBook Air comes pre-installed with Apple's iWork and iLife suite of applications, which include Movie, Garageband, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Safari, Mail, Messages and FaceTime. In addition to them there is Calendar, Contacts, App Store, iTunes, iBooks, Maps, Photo Booth and Time Machine.


MacBook performance

The processor of the modern 13-inch MacBook Air is built on the 14-nm Broadwell architecture, while its previous model worked on the 22-nm Haswell process technology. The upgrade made it possible to extend battery life - now the battery can last more than 13 hours when watching Full HD video via Wi-Fi.

In benchmark Geekbench 3, the Ultrabook Air scored 2,873 in the single-core test and 5,768 in the multi-core test - the latter figure is 9% more than the previous MacBook Air, but 20% less than the MacBook Pro Retina.


In Cinebench R15 OpenGL, the new MacBook Air achieved 24.91 fps. Blackmagic Disk Speed ​​Test determined the average write speed to be 612.4 MB/s, read speed to be 1302.4 MB/s.

The new Air allows you to comfortably play at low and medium settings with reduced resolution. For example, in Skyrim the frame rate was 50 fps. Needed for games good headphones, since the existing speakers, despite all Apple’s efforts, do not produce decent sound.

The design of the MacBook Air has not changed over the years, but in the case of the keyboard, this is even good - no other laptop has such comfortable keys, and the smooth surface of the touchpad allows you to operate quickly and comfortably.

The 480p camera looked terrible on the 12-inch MacBook, but the Air's camera quality went up to HD, which is good enough for clear images on Skype and Google Hangout.


Bottom line

The new MacBook Air 13 2016 doesn't impress with its design, but it copes with most tasks. You can comfortably work on a laptop either separately or connected to external monitor. Him best battery among 13-inch ultrabooks, the same goes for the keyboard. The addition of Thunderbolt 2 will please those who have compatible devices, and the speed of the drive, which has increased by 2 times, will be especially useful when regularly copying information.

But the body has not changed, a clear Retina display has not been added, the speakers are mediocre, and the bezels are wide. Simply put, the MacBook Air series doesn't look as cool as it once did. Much faster storage and processor with new architecture better than previous models, but not all users need it.


Advantages

  • Good battery
  • Fast storage
  • Comfortable keyboard

Flaws

  • Outdated design
  • Display is not Retina
  • Weak speakers
Ultrabook MacBook Air 13 2016 – video review

If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.


The period between June 5th and 9th was marked by the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (abbreviated WWDC). A lot of interesting things happened at this conference. First of all, a new iPad Pro(at 10.5 and also at 12.9 inches). Also, the world saw the long-awaited 11th version of iOS. However, improved versions of MacBooks have attracted a lot of attention. In particular, an improved 12-inch MacBook, 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro, as well as a 13-inch MacBook Air were presented. Let's find out what the updated devices will be able to please their fans.

12-inch MacBook Specifications

Anyone who was expecting something truly new will be slightly disappointed. In essence, this model is no different from previous versions, although important improvements are still present. But let's go in order.

  1. Delivery set, external design. This is the first point that will not surprise fans of Apple laptops. The device has retained its shape and dimensions. It's still a neat little rectangle, measuring 280.5mm long, 196.5mm wide and 13.1mm thick (3.5mm at its thinnest point). The device weighs 0.92 kg. Most likely, we can be happy about the preservation of these characteristics, because the 12-inch model in question was initially positioned as the standard of compactness. The updated Mac will also be delivered inside a neat white box, which shows the device in a closed state (an additional emphasis on its thinness). In addition to the gadget, the package contains the usual accompanying documentation, network USB-C adapter at 29 W and USB-C cable for charging 2 m long. Unfortunately, there will be no adapter for other devices - you will have to purchase it additionally. The device body will be available in colors: gold, silver, space gray and popular pink gold. On the back cover of the display, of course, the user will see an elegant bitten apple. The device keys are black. This creates a rather nice contrast. Initially, this MacBook is positioned as a universal work machine.
  2. Screen. There were no changes here either. The MacBook is equipped with a 12-inch Retina screen with an aspect ratio of 16:10, which is based on an IPS matrix. There is LED backlighting. The maximum supported resolution is 2304x1440 pixels, but other formats are also supported: 1024x640, 1280x800, 1440x900. There are still 226 dots concentrated on one inch. The picture quality and color rendition remained at the same level.
  3. Interface and wireless networks. Using this device as an example, you can understand that Apple continues to dictate its terms of the “game” to users. The device supports HDMI, VGA, but there are no separate sockets for them. There is only a port for USB Type-C. And if you want to use all the features of the Mac, you will have to buy a special adapter from third-party manufacturers. But the combo output for microphone and headphones is in place, which is already pleasing. Also, the gadget supports popular types of wireless communication: Wi-Fi 802.11ac (compatible with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n) and, of course, Bluetooth 4.2.
  4. Technical content. But here the engineers did a great job. The updated Mac will be equipped with Intel Core m3 or i5 processors. The initial operating frequency of the chip is 1.2 or 1.3 GHz, respectively. However, using the Turbo Boost mode, this figure can be overclocked for the m3 to 3 GHz, and for the i5 to 3.2 GHz. The video card has also improved. Now the integrated Intel HD Graphics 615 chip will be responsible for the graphics. The initial amount of RAM will be 8 GB (memory type LPDDR3) with a frequency of 1.866 GHz. Improved performance will be facilitated by updated 256/512 GB SSDs. The device works on macOS Sierra.
  5. Autonomy. As for the battery, the MacBook has a lithium-polymer battery. Its capacity is 41.4 Wh. In standby mode, the device can work for about 30 days on a single charge. But you can watch videos in iTunes for 12 hours.
The price of a 12-inch MacBook in Russia will be $1,300.

Description of MacBook Pro 13 inches



This technical product will also not surprise its future owner, but Apple engineers have thought through certain improvements for it too.
  1. Design. In short, everything remains as it was. Technical elements are housed inside an aluminum case, made in silver or space gray. The dimensions of the model are 304.1x212.4x14.9 mm. The Apple laptop weighs 1.37 kg. The location of the popular logo is always on the back cover of the screen. The device is controlled via a full-size backlit keyboard. Moreover, the Touch Bar with Touch ID (touch panel) can become a real control assistant. However, there are options without it.
  2. Display. The MacBook Pro 13 displays images on a 13.3-inch Retina screen with IPS matrix. The standard resolution is 2560x1600 pixels, but supported options are 1024x640, 1440x900, 1680x1050. The brightness indicator is 500 cd/sq.m, and the pixel density is 227 ppi.
  3. Performance. MacBook Pro 13 is equipped with a dual-core Intel Core i5 chip. Its starting frequency is 2.3 GHz (or 3.1 GHz in the model with Touch Bar). In addition, it is possible to overclock the cores to 3.6 or 3.5 GHz, respectively (you must agree, this is quite a high figure for laptops from Apple). As for the other technical components, they also remained almost unchanged. The Mac runs on 8 gigabytes of RAM, and information storage is provided by a pair of solid-state drives from 128 to 512 GB. The GPU in the model without Touch Bar is Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640, and with it - Intel Iris Plus Graphics 650.
  4. Interfaces and connections. The model without the Touch Bar has two Thunderbolt 3 ports, and the model with the panel has 4. There is a headphone jack. Wireless connection carried out via a Wi-Fi module supporting the 802.11ac standard. Bluetooth 4.2 version is also provided.
  5. Autonomy MacBook Pro 13 provides lithium polymer battery. The capacity of the version without the Touch Bar is 54.5 Wh, and with it - 49.2 Wh. However, the difference in capacity is so insignificant that both devices can be in standby mode for up to a month, and work under medium load or play video for up to 10 hours.
The price of a 13-inch MacBook Pro in Russia depends on the availability of the Touch Bar. So, models without it will cost $1,300 (like the 12-inch analogue described above). If you want to have a Mac equipped with this pointing device, you will have to pay $1,800.

Improved 13-inch MacBook Air



Another product from Apple that has undergone minor changes, although they will please the potential owner.
  1. Designer execution- familiar to those who had previous versions of this MacBook model. The body is made of aluminum, which guarantees good strength. The dimensions of the product are 325x227x17 mm. The described device weighs only 1.35 kg. The model still looks stylish thanks to its pleasant light gray color. Command input is provided by a keyboard consisting of 79 keys. Like the previous MacBooks described in this review, this model is primarily intended for work (hence the rigor of the design).
  2. Screen. High picture clarity is guaranteed by a glossy widescreen display with a diagonal of 13.3 inches. The standard resolution is 1440x900 pixels. With an aspect ratio of 16:10, the screen supports resolutions of 1024x640, 1152x720, 1280x800. With a ratio of 4:3 - 800x600 and 1024x768. The display is characterized by optimal contrast and good color reproduction.
  3. Performance. Engineers equipped the updated MacBook Air with an Intel Core i5 chip. The nominal operating frequency of its cores is 1800 MHz. In addition, it is possible to increase performance up to 2900 MHz by overclocking. Improvements have also been made to the video card. Thus, previous versions of the MacBook Air were equipped with an integrated Intel HD Graphics 5000 card. No, the graphics processor on the updated version remained integrated, only now HD Graphics 6000 is responsible for graphics (the upgrade is minor, but pleasant). RAM has been doubled. Previously, the limit of these MacBooks was 4 GB. The new Air will already have 8 GB of RAM on board. In addition, it is possible to increase the amount of physical memory. The user can order a laptop with a 128 or 256 GB solid-state drive.
  4. Interfaces and networks. For a compact laptop, there are quite a lot of ports. In particular, there are a pair of USB 3.0 ports, one Thunderbolt 2 socket, a MagSafe 2 power connector, and an SDXC card slot. Of course, there is also a headphone jack. In terms of wireless networks, everything is standard: there is support for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
  5. Autonomy. As for the battery life, it is provided by a lithium-polymer battery with a capacity of 54 Wh. The updated version implies a slight improvement in autonomy. The MacBook Air 13 can last about 12 hours with Wi-Fi activated.
The price of a 13-inch MacBook Air in Russia will start at $1,000.

Characteristics of the updated 15-inch MacBook Pro



This model can be considered one of the leaders in terms of increasing productivity. Let's take a closer look at all the characteristics of the updated device.
  1. Appearance. Based on the above information, it is easy to guess that the external design remains the same. The model is 240.7 mm wide, 349.3 mm long and 15.5 mm thick. The weight of the MacBook Pro 15 is the heaviest among all the models described. It is 1.83 kg. The outer part of the aluminum case is silver, and there is also a space gray color. The surface surrounding the keyboard (including the touchpad) has a similar shade. But the keyboard itself and the frames around the display are black. The control module contains 65 buttons. The alphabetic and numeric symbols on the keyboard are made white; This contrast ensures good visibility of all characters.
  2. Screen- Retina with IPS matrix and LED backlight. Its diagonal is 15.4 inches. Resolution up to 2880x1800 pixels is supported. The monitor has optimal picture clarity and color rendition. The pixel density is at 220 ppi.
  3. Performance. In short, the improvements affected everything. First of all, an Intel Core i7 processor was supplied. There are two versions: the first with an operating core frequency of 2800 MHz and the ability to overclock to 3800 MHz, and the second with a frequency of 2900 MHz and overclocking to 3900 MHz. The previous version of this MacBook had only 512 MB of integrated video memory. The 15-inch Pro can now be equipped with a discrete Radeon Pro 555 or 560 card with two or four GB of GDDR5 memory, respectively. The RAM performance has also improved, now it can reach 16 gigabytes. As for storage devices, as standard there will be a 256 or 512 GB SSD on board, although its operating speed will increase, which will have a positive effect on the performance of the entire system. The ports on the device include 4 Thunderbolt 3 and a headphone jack.
  4. Autonomy. A lithium-polymer battery with a capacity of 76 Wh is responsible for this parameter. The updated device is guaranteed to have 10 hours of battery life under medium load and almost a month in standby mode.
The price of a 15-inch MacBook Pro in Russia will be $2,400. The cost may be higher, it all depends on the exact technical configuration.

Operating system of updated MacBooks



We will talk about this point separately, since it applies to all of the above-mentioned devices. The advantages of macOS Sierra include the following points:
  1. Introduction of Siri - personal assistant. He can find required file in folders or on the Web, send a message, play music, or notify about availability free space on storage upon request.
  2. Clipboard improvements. Files can be copied on one device and pasted on another.
  3. Sign in with Apple Watch. Mac recognizes the user if it has apple watch Watch.
  4. iCloud Drive. Access your files from different devices.
  5. Automatically transfer files to iCloud. Folders and files you rarely use will automatically move to iCloud when your storage space runs out.
  6. Updated Photos app. More accurate face recognition, displaying pictures by the name of the place or the name of the people depicted in them.

But as for High Sierra, which comes out this fall, it has the following innovations:

  1. A new file system called High Sierra was activated. This addition replaces the HFS system, which is three decades old. Thanks to High Sierra, the overall performance of macOS has been improved. In particular, files are now opened faster, and their downloading and uploading to the network has also become faster.
  2. Branded browser updated Apple Safari. Now its speed exceeds that of its main competitor - Google Chrome. This is an extremely important achievement for Apple as a company that positions itself as one of the leaders in the global IT industry.
  3. Intelligent Tracking Prevention technology has appeared. It relates directly to the Safari browser, but it is worth considering separately. The reason for this honor is that this technology does not allow tracking of user search queries, guaranteeing one hundred percent privacy. Moreover, Intelligent Tracking Prevention has become a full-fledged replacement for the AdBlock extension, as it will protect the Mac owner from annoying online advertising.
  4. Improvements have also been made to the standard application called “Photos”. From now on, a simple photo editor will be placed there, which will allow even an extremely inexperienced user to correct pictures without any problems. Moreover, the photo sorting algorithm has also become more convenient and understandable.
  5. The last pleasant moment can be called a real step into the future, because macOS received support for the HTC Vive VR headset. In other words, Apple has begun mastering full-fledged virtual reality.
We have now completed our review of the updated Apple MacBooks presented at the 2017 WWDC conference. Based on the information received, we can conclude that American engineers have taken the path of seriously improving performance, leaving other aspects aside. This step can be considered justified. Of course, some people will be disappointed by the old design of the updated models, but we love such gadgets not so much for their appearance as for their functionality. Taking into account the update of the operating system and hardware, the already extensive capabilities of Apple laptops have increased even more, so replenishing Apple’s customer base will be a completely natural outcome.