Believe it or not, Apple is working on a new modular Mac Pro. Mac mini vs iMac vs Mac Pro – choosing a desktop computer

The first models of the compact Mac mini desktop computer were introduced by Apple almost ten years ago. Since then, several platforms and housing options have changed, but today the Mac mini remains a unique solution for users of Apple products. On the pages of our resource we met with the 2010 model, which in reality and now can quite successfully act as a universal home computer for performing traditional tasks that do not require large computing resources. By the way, it is worth noting that this model is also compatible with the latest version of the operating system - OS X 10.10 Yosemite, so in terms of functions it is not much inferior to the new products. In this segment, hardware upgrades are not as in demand as in mobile solutions or workstations, but the manufacturer does not ignore this area. As we said earlier, the Mac mini is positioned by the company, among other things, as the most affordable solution with OS X. It may be interesting as the first computer with this operating system, purchased to get to know her, or as a second or third desktop PC for children.

Presented in the middle of this October updated line solutions are offered at a cost of 24,990 rubles. The manufacturer talks about a significant increase in performance compared to the previous generation of devices, unique energy efficiency, and, of course, an attractive design. The new products come with pre-installed OS X Yosemite, which allows you to implement several original collaboration scenarios with mobile devices running iOS. To write this material, two older Mac mini configurations from the new line were used.

Contents of delivery

The computer comes with cardboard box, designed in the usual Apple design. The packaging contains photographs of the device, manufacturer logos and brief descriptions technical characteristics of the model. In the case of fixed configurations, they are uniquely identified by the article number and model number. IN transition period It is worth paying special attention to the specifications, since the product in question does not change its name in different generations.

The computer is supplied with a power cable, two Apple stickers, and a description. warranty conditions and brief instructions on how to get started in Russian. Note that the latter, despite its small volume, really makes an impression useful element for newbies.

The company provides 90 days of free technical support and one year warranty service. The service life of the device is specified as five years.

Appearance

Interestingly, despite significant internal changes, appearance The body of the model has not changed. On the pages of the website about the product you can find exactly the same photographs as they were several years ago. Only the screenshots of the operating system on the monitor screens were changed. We also note that in this line the company does not use generation designations in official names products.

Made in unibody format, the aluminum case with the familiar “rounded edges” has dimensions of 196x196x36 mm.

On the right side of its front end we see a window for the IR receiver of remote control signals and an almost invisible led indicator. The side walls are empty. All connectors and controls, like their predecessors, are located at the rear.

From left to right here we see: power button, power cable input, gigabit network port, HDMI output, two Thunderbolt 2 ports, four USB 3.0 ports, an SDXC memory card slot, 3.5 mm mini-jacks for microphone and headphones. You can also notice a gap in the grille of the active cooling system.

The question of the convenience of installing all these connectors on the rear panel is, in our opinion, largely subjective. On the one hand, this allows you to get a stylish look for the front panel, but on the other hand, it makes it difficult operational connection USB flash drives or memory cards. Perhaps, in this case, for most users, the first is more important than the second.

At the bottom of the case there is a slightly protruding circle of black plastic. Unlike its predecessor, this lid is a little more difficult to open. Is it true, further actions are significantly difficult to use branded screws, for which you will have to look for a screwdriver. Note that the surface of the lid does not have any rubber feet. Well, the last element that is worth mentioning is the black company logo on the top cover.

If four years ago this minicomputer format made a very good impression, today it no longer looks as impressive as we would like. Moreover, there is no longer a need for an optical drive. Let us remind you that during the same time, both smartphones and tablets from this manufacturer have changed noticeably. It is difficult to say for sure why the company decided to keep the design of the model. Among possible reasons The first thing that comes to mind is the desire to save on development, production and components (in particular, to ensure the ability to use standard hard drive and do not try to reduce the size of the motherboard).

Hardware configuration

It's interesting to see how the Mac mini has changed over the past few years. The 2010 model mentioned above had a built-in optical drive DVD, lost to subsequent generations. Mid-2011 devices were the last to feature an external graphics controller. The 2012 generation was the last time we saw RAM in standard SO-DIMM modules. So the tested model has only one element available to the user for independent replacement - HDD(except for the wireless controller and SSD). Let us note once again that, despite all this, the size of the computer case, in particular the height, has not changed in any way.

Let's look at the three basic configurations offered in the current generation. All variants use the latest generation Intel Core i5 Haswell processor: i5-4260U, i5-4278U and i5-4308U. These models have two cores, and thanks to technology Hyper Threading capable of executing four threads of code simultaneously. The base clock speed is 1.4 GHz, 2.6 GHz and 2.8 GHz, respectively, and Turbo Boost technology allows you to increase it in some cases to 2.7 GHz, 3.1 GHz and 3.3 GHz. The graphics controllers built into processors are also slightly different. The younger model has an Intel HD Graphics 5000 operating at a frequency of up to 1 GHz, and the older ones have an Intel Iris Graphics 5100 with maximum frequencies 1.1 GHz and 1.2 GHz. Unfortunately, we did not have the opportunity to test the younger model, but it is the one that most closely fits the description of “my first Mac.” In addition, its processor clock speed is significantly different from other representatives of the line. However, given the positioning of the devices, it is unlikely that the user will notice any significant performance problems when executing basic set tasks.

The computer's active cooling system uses a single fan that blows air through the heatsink located on the heat pipes. When operating under high load, the noise and heating of the case are negligible, and in standby mode the fan does not work at all. Let us remember that the TDP of the chips used is 15 W for the younger model and 28 W for the older one. The actual consumption of the device in the maximum configuration during testing did not exceed 40 W (the manufacturer indicates 85 W in the technical specifications), and in standby mode it decreased to 5 W. It is also worth noting that the device has a built-in power supply, which distinguishes it from most compact format solutions on other platforms.

The amount of DDR3 RAM is 4 GB for the younger version and 8 GB for the older modifications. In this line it is installed on the motherboard and there is no possibility of independently increasing the volume.

The main drive in three modifications is a 500 GB hard drive, a 1 TB hard drive and a hybrid drive ( Fusion Drive) for 1 TB. Let us recall that Fusion Drive is a software and hardware solution for the last few generations of Apple devices, which is a combination of an SSD and a classic hard drive, presented by the operating system as a single volume. At the same time, the file system manager checks the frequency of access to recorded documents and the most popular files and programs are automatically placed at the beginning of the volume on a fast SSD. The volume of the resulting disk is equal to the sum of the volumes of the drives participating in it. For example, the top-end Mac mini model has a 128 GB flash drive in a standard format for this manufacturer and a 1 TB 2.5″ hard drive (HGST HTS541010A9E622). In most cases, all programs will be on the "fast part" of the disk. In addition, it is worth noting that the SSD connection interface is PCIe. This provides uniquely high read and write speeds. With some experience and urgent need, Fusion Drive can be “disassembled” into separate SSD and HDD volumes. Note that the operating system out of the box takes up about 20 GB.

Unfortunately, the hard drive is practically the only component in new devices that can be replaced by the user. Although it should be noted that this operation is not at all simple, and given the limitation of the 9.5 mm height format, it may make sense, perhaps, only for the younger model. As for Fusion Drive, apparently, the user will not be able to add this functionality, since the design of lower models lacks the elements necessary for installing an SSD.

It's also worth noting that using Fusion Drive has no effect on Windows installation via Bootcamp. But, of course, the volume for it will be located on the hard drive, and the SSD will not be used.

The set of external interfaces for the models is no different and consists of four USB 3.0 ports, two Thunderbolt 2 ports, a gigabit wired network controller, wireless adapter 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (Broadcom BCM4360, up to 1300 Mbps in 802.11ac), Bluetooth 4.0 with LE support (Broadcom BRCM20702). There is also a slot for SDXC memory cards, implemented on the basis of the Broadcom BCM57766 PCIe controller, which also implements a gigabit network port. Please note that there is no Firewire in this generation; instead, a second Thunderbolt is installed. In addition, the version of this interface is now 2.0, which suggests an increase in throughput.

There is conflicting information regarding support for 4K monitors in this line of computers. The specifications indicate the possibility of using two monitors with a resolution of up to 2560×1600, but in the description HDMI port there is a mention of the 3840×2160@30Hz and 4096×2160@24Hz modes. There was no opportunity to study the issue in practice. Let us remind you that the manufacturer offers original adapters with Mini Display Port to DVI and VGA, if there is a need to use these interfaces. Like other Apple models, AirPlay can be used to broadcast the monitor image to a TV or projector.

Sound output can be carried out via digital interfaces DP and HDMI, as well as an analogue 3.5 mm minijack. The latter supports both regular headphones and a headset with a microphone. Additionally, there is an analog stereo input and a built-in mono speaker.

Special Mac mini configurations can use an Intel Core i7-4578U processor (relative to the base older model, this is +200 MHz clock speed and +1 MB L2 cache), 16 GB of RAM, and an SSD of up to 1 TB. This, of course, will not allow them to become dramatically faster and catch up Mac Pro or even an iMac, but may be useful in some situations.

In general, the hardware configuration of the devices represents a fairly reasonable compromise for modern market desktop systems. Especially if you take into account the optimization of working with RAM in current versions OS X and Windows.

It’s interesting that among Apple’s desktop solutions, the Mac mini family is in a sense wedged between the younger and older iMac. A modification of the all-in-one with a 21.5″ screen has the same Intel Core i5-4260U processor (although it has more RAM), while the older iMac boasts a quad-core Intel Core i5, and optionally it can have an “adult” Intel Core i7 with a clock frequency of 4 GHz.

Software and Getting Started

All devices ship with the latest OS X 10.10 Yosemite operating system. The buyer also receives GarageBand, iMovie, iPhoto, Keynote, Numbers and Pages free of charge. With a more detailed list standard applications can be consulted .

To start working with a computer, you will need a keyboard, mouse and monitor. Despite the availability of standard interfaces (in particular HDMI) and protocols, compatibility problems may occur when using non-original peripheral devices.

The minimum cable connection option is power and display (DP or HDMI). In this case, the keyboard, mouse and network access can be wireless. In the case of more complex configurations, four USB ports may not be enough for wired (or with a USB receiver) input devices, a webcam, a printer, an external drive or flash drive, a cable from a smartphone, tablet or camera. The option in the form of a Thunderbolt display with a built-in USB hub makes no sense to consider from a budget point of view.

When turned on for the first time, the user is prompted to select a language, country, and keyboard. Next, you can configure the system as new or transfer data from backup copy. An Apple ID is optionally specified and iCloud Drive is configured.

Overall, the experience of using OS X 10.10 is little different from previous versions of Apple's desktop operating systems, apart from some innovations. We will not dwell on them in detail here, but will try to prepare separate material. Let us remind you of just a few changes: once again improved interface design, new panel notifications, new Spotlight search, new iCloud Drive, integration of calls and messages with iOS devices, Handoff feature for synchronizing OS X and iOS applications. However, it should be noted that specifically with the tested Mac minis, incomprehensible delays in operation quite often arose, for example, when connecting an SD card, opening documents, and in other quite ordinary situations. It is difficult to say what this is connected with, but we clearly did not expect this. Hopefully this issue will not be hardware related and will be resolved with system updates, as was already the case before.

By the way, let us remind you that installation of Yosemite is free for several recent generations of Apple desktop systems and laptops.

To reinstall the OS, you can boot the computer in recovery mode and download an image of the standard version of the operating system via the Internet. If necessary, you can create bootable usb drive With necessary files to solve this problem.

Performance testing

In the previous article, we already talked about the fact that the issue of the performance of computers on the OS X platform is significantly different from the study of the performance of devices running Windows. The main reasons for this are the only supplier hardware, a fixed set of configurations and limited opportunities for system upgrades. Using the standard method for Windows computers is of little interest for obvious reasons.

So there are few options left - using synthetic low-level benchmarks for some subsystems, launching specialized test packages and testing some scripts in popular resource-intensive programs for this platform. Selecting opponents for comparison is also not easy - using figures from old articles does not make sense, since the software has been significantly updated, and it is not always possible to double-check indicators for devices of previous generations.

In the first group, we studied the operation of the computer's system drive. For this purpose, we used the Blackmagic Disk Speed ​​Test program, which is designed to evaluate the capabilities of the disc when working with this company’s video digitization and playback cards.

The first screenshot shows the Fusion Drive indicators. Considering that the test file was located on the SSD part of the drive, figures of several hundred megabytes per second are quite expected.

If you test a separate partition on your hard drive, the indicators will be noticeably more modest - at the level of 100 MB/s.

As we can see, the difference is very significant, however, in real work, the responsiveness of the system will depend on other factors. In any case, if you plan to work intensively with large volumes of data (for example, video editing or processing RAW photos), it may be worth looking at the modification with Fusion Drive or ordering an option with a regular SSD big size. On the other hand, engage professional work with photos and videos on the Mac mini, perhaps it’s still a little strange.

The second low-level test we conducted with this device was a study of the speed of the wireless controller. It used an Asus RT-AC68U router and standard scheme for transmitting data to one or more streams. In addition to OS X, this test was also carried out under Windows 8.1 installed in the BootCamp partition. The distance between the router and the client was about four meters in line of sight. In the 5 GHz band, devices connected to 802.11ac at a speed of 1300 Mbps, and the 2.4 GHz band with 802.11n was able to provide connection speeds of only 216.5 Mbps due to regional restrictions built into the adapter (working only on channel 20 MHz).

Apple wireless adapters are deservedly among the most modern and high-performance. So it's not surprising that we got excellent speeds in this test - 350-400 Mbit/s in one stream and up to 800 Mbit/s in eight streams. Interestingly, in this test we did not encounter a well-known feature of Apple devices that uses regional configuration information broadcast by some access points.

The set of standard benchmarks used in this article is represented by Cinebench R15, Geekbench 3 (32 bit) and GFXBench 3.0 (in onscreen mode). The table shows the performance of the older and middle models of the current generation Mac mini. To compare with other systems, you can use online results databases on the websites of program manufacturers. For tests, computers were connected to a monitor with Full HD resolution (1920×1080).

As expected, the performance difference caused by different models processors is relatively small and using these indicators to select a configuration is practically useless. An interesting comment can be made from the multi-threaded test in Geekbench. The fact is that the previous generation of computers was older standard processor there was a quad-core Intel Core i7, which is significantly ahead of the new models in this test.

As for the graphics subsystem, as has already been repeatedly noted in our publications, integrated Intel solutions According to this parameter, productivity is steadily increasing in each generation. In addition, the Mac mini uses chips with 5000-series graphics, which are noticeably faster than those installed in most modern desktop solutions from the Haswell family (see articles and). Of course, in this case it is difficult to talk about its applicability for modern games(considering standard use with OS X), however, for previous generations of 3D applications it may be quite sufficient, as can be seen from the results of the T-Rex test of the GFXBench 3.0 package. For example, Half-Life 2 Lost Coast with default settings in full screen mode Full HD is capable of showing almost 60 fps, and if you set the picture quality to maximum, the speed will be more than 20 fps. As we remember, the 2010 Mac mini showed about 20 fps in the original Half-Life 2 in a 1280x720 window.

Regarding the issue of performance when watching 4K video, we note that the load on the processor with test videos from our method was minimal, and if we use Blackmagic Design samples (in particular City Train Station.mov) with a resolution of 3840x2160 and the ProRes codec, then here there are no comments on the smoothness of playback, despite quite high load on the processor - about 60%.

When considering the use of these processor blocks for non-graphical calculations, it is worth paying attention to the fact that Apple proprietary software can use the OpenCL interface, support for which is indicated in technical requirements programs. However, given the fixed configurations of systems, users will be interested in the integral indicators of the speed of the system, rather than individual components.

The last group of tests was carried out with Final programs Cut Pro X and Compressor. The first tested the video stabilization and Black and White filter functions on a ten-minute Full HD video from the camera, and the second used it to export it to YouTube 720p format. Additionally, we tested the option of transcoding one minute of 4K video into Apple ProRes in Compressor. Detailed measurement conditions can be found in a separate material. From it we also took several results for comparison.

As we expected, there are practically no differences between the Mac mini models. The MacBook Pro Retina 13″ (Mid 2014) with two nuclear processor. But the presence of four cores in the last participant allows us to significantly improve the performance in this group of tests. However, perhaps the matter is in the discrete system installed in it graphics adapter Nvidia.

Working with Windows

Like previous devices, the model in question can also be used with an operating room Windows system. We will leave the question of the necessity and expediency of such a scenario outside of discussion in this material. You can check compatibility issues with different OS versions on the Apple website. In particular, this model can work with 64-bit versions of Windows 7/8/8.1. For installation, you can use the original optical media and the corresponding external drive or ISO image and an 8 GB flash drive. The standard BootCamp utility allows you to prepare installation media, download drivers and support programs for Windows, repartition the hard drive for installation and launch it.

Price

Apple devices are difficult to consider accessible to the mass consumer. In the case of new Mac minis in the official local Apple Store three basic configurations are offered for 25, 35 and 50 thousand rubles. Of these, only the first, and even then with great stretch, can be considered inexpensive. And in this case we're talking about exclusively about the relative cost among solutions with OS X. For example, the most affordable modern iMac with 21.5″; display costs 55 thousand rubles, and the simplest MacBook Air 11″ costs 42 thousand. Of course, all these devices are completely different in terms of use cases, but they have one thing in common - OS X and full integration into Apple ecosystem.

At the end of November, the company changed the official local prices for its products. The three described Mac mini configurations began to cost 28,990, 39,990 and 57,990 rubles, respectively. Specify up-to-date information The best information on this issue is on the manufacturer's website.

Conclusion

The Mac mini line is unique in its positioning and technical characteristics for the modern IT market. However, this can be said about most other Apple devices. At the same time, given the trend towards mobile computing, finding a niche for the Mac mini is very difficult. On the one hand, we have a relatively inexpensive and compact device with sufficient performance for solving basic household tasks, running Apple OS X. On the other hand, both the price and size are not so attractive by modern standards. The slow obsolescence of previous generations of Mac mini also adds to the problem. For users of models with Intel Core i5 and i7 (especially older ones with quad-core processors), there is little point in looking at new devices unless there is an opportunity to sell the old one at a good price. So it’s difficult to call the update to the Mac mini line long-awaited, although two years have passed since the previous announcements. Among the attractive features of the new products, the increase in speed of the graphics unit of the processor and wireless controller comes to mind. But this may not be enough to update. Changing the design of the device could have helped here (for example, making it twice as thin and abandoning the classic hard drive), but the manufacturer decided not to play its favorite card for the second time.

In these conditions, the option “the most affordable computer with OS X” remains - for a first acquaintance, as an additional PC or media center, and also for a developer. In this case, the user receives a ready-made solution with the latest version of the operating system, additional applications and branded services that work out of the box. However, here it faces competition from aftermarket products, which in most cases differ little in terms of both features and design.

All of the above, of course, does not change the fact that the Mac mini is a beautiful, fast and virtually silent home computer that runs the convenient OS X operating system and supports integration into the Apple ecosystem. But the company's pricing policy will not allow it to be popular among a wide class of users.

Mac Pro is an evolutionary workstation produced by Apple. The Mac Pro personal computer is the most the best computer, released by Apple from the Macintosh series.

Mac Pro is the fastest, most responsive Macintosh ever and is fully compatible with the . Thanks to this, it works at its best, and together with the new OS X 10.8, it also reduces the amount of energy consumed.

Apple releases digital video editing apps High Quality(for example), which require a large amount of free RAM and a lot of disk space. It was created to work with these applications. Apple Mac Pro, which is ready to offer the user much more than simple personal computers.

All this and more made the computer the best on the market. High performance, a large amount of RAM and video memory and low level noise - this is what can be said about the Mac Pro computer, which directly serves as some kind of prototype for comparing other workstations.

Story

The first model of the famous workstation appeared in August 2006. She became the heir to the Power Mac computer. The first Mac Pro received a processor Intel Xeon is one of the fastest processors produced by Intel and has become the most powerful Mac computer.

The official premiere, at which the first workstation from Apple was presented, took place at the WWDC conference in 2006 in San Francisco. The first Mac Pro received two dual core processor Intel Xeon Woodcrest.

After a lot of rumors and speculation, an updated model was released with two dual-core Intel Xeon Clovertown processors and a large amount of RAM (from 8 GB) and video memory (from 1 GB).

In January 2008, a third model was released with two quad-core Intel Xeon Harpertown processors. After it, at the end of July 2010, came out new model computer, which was equipped with a twelve-core Intel Xeon processor, the ability to install up to four hard drives 2 TB in size or high-speed SSD disks 512 GB in size.

The new Mac Pro computers are equipped not only with 12 MB of L3 cache, but also with Turbo Boost technology, which removes any restrictions on working with complex processes and allows the workstation to work many times faster.

Regarding RAM, the first model could use up to 32 GB, that is, 8 GB per slot. Today you can use up to 64 GB of memory, 8 GB per slot.

Also in 2010, the company introduced a completely new server station, the Mac Pro Server, which not only replaced the XServe, but also featured one quad-core Quad-Core processor from Intel and 8 GB of RAM.

Specifications

Looking at the small size of the workstation (51.1 centimeters high; 20.6 centimeters wide and 47.5 centimeters long), you might ask yourself the following question: “How did it fit so much equipment?” Apple loves minimalism; everything is clearly arranged and in its place. Let's quickly go over the main components and characteristics of the latest models.

New 12-core processor - what could be better? Thanks to 12 MB of L3 cache on both processors and Turbo Boost technology, the new Mac Pro runs many times faster than its predecessor, and built-in Hyper-threading technology makes it possible to work with up to 24 virtual cores, while providing stable work computer and low power consumption. The new Xeon processor also has a built-in memory controller and a 128-bit core.

A 1 GB graphics card enables the computer to handle the most complex tasks associated with high resolution and high definition.

Mac Pro has a graphics card installed Ati Radeon HD5770 or HD5870 with 1 GB of memory, as well as two Mini Display Port outputs and one DVI port.

The workstation supports up to six Full HD monitors with a resolution of 2,560 by 1,660 pixels. The new model also has support for eight 8 GB RAM modules per slot.

The computer has four FireWire ports, five USB 2.0 ports (3 rear and 2 front), and 2 USB 2.0 ports on the keyboard, as well as one headphone jack, stereo input and output, and Toslink digital optical audio input and output.

Regarding Wi-Fi, we can say that AirPort Extreme 802.11n is supported. There is also Bluetooth 2.1 communication and an Rj-45 interface for connecting a computer to the Internet.

IN new Apple Mac Pro supports up to 8 TB physical memory(2 TB per slot), there is also an 18-speed Super Drive, providing the most fast speed reading and writing CD and DVD discs.

Mac Pro price

We all know that Apple equipment always costs a lot of money and not everyone can afford some product. This is especially true for a professional workstation. Mac price Pro currently ranges from $2,499 to $3,799 (USD) for the standard package. Ordering the most powerful computer will cost you $14,435. The package will include two Apple monitor Cinema HD, four SSD drive, two six-core processor, 64 GB of RAM and two graphics cards.

You can't buy a Mac Pro in all stores, unless you place an order and wait a few weeks.

To summarize, I want to say that the Mac Pro is a truly unique computer that is not available to everyone, but it is suitable for video editors and people who love speed, and it is simply a miracle to work on it.

Mac Pro is the most productive and powerful computer from Apple. They combine perfect design, advanced Intel processors Xeon E5, improved graphics system, flash drives up to 1 TB and a whole range of innovative technologies that have no analogues. These are real desktop computers new generation, created for true masters, opening up even more opportunities for working with complex graphics, 3D modeling, animation and video editing.

In re:Store stores you can buy Apple Mac Pro in two standard configurations, and also choose an alternative configuration depending on your goals. As an official premium reseller of Apple in Russia, we offer a full range of certified products and accessories, as well as provide service and comprehensive support.

Key Apple features Mac Pro:

With the growing popularity of Apple, many people want to try out how easy the Mac computer is to use.

If you have decided to make such a purchase, but don’t know where to start, don’t despair. The main thing is to immediately determine for yourself whether you want a portable laptop or

General information about MacBooks

Think about it: will you carry your Mac with you everywhere and always, or will it be enough for you to have it quietly waiting for your return in your bedroom or office? This way the choice will immediately become obvious.

However, Apple laptops have the ability to connect to external monitor, keyboard, mouse and even hard drive. And in this simple way, the laptop turns into the system unit of a desktop PC. Yes, and you will have two working screens.

Of course, MacBook models are all different and it’s difficult to decide, but know that they all have common features:

1. Thanks to Intel, they are equipped with powerful processors and RAM of 4 GB or more. This will be enough for you to work with documents and use the Internet, as well as for playing music, movies, games and more.
2. You can connect an additional screen or even a TV to any of them; there is also Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Moreover, each of them, not counting the Mac mini and Mac Pro, have a built-in webcam.

What are the varieties?

Now that you have firmly decided to become a MacBook user, it’s worth figuring out what types of Mac computers there are:

• MacBook Air is a convenient version of laptops with many features. Main features: full-size keyboard and light weight. If you travel often, but want to always have a powerful device with you, then it will ideally cope with this task. However, there is no discrete graphics card.
• MacBookPro is the most powerful model among Apple computers with high-resolution screens. It’s also here and that’s why it’s often chosen by gamers and designers.

• Mac mini is a miniature, low-power system unit at an affordable price. If you are not ready to spend a lot on a computer, but want to evaluate Apple's performance, then this option is for you.
• iMac is an excellent model for stationary use at home or in the office. Exquisite design with a built-in display and incredible power will not leave you indifferent.
• The Mac Pro is the most expensive desktop model, but it's worth the price. Such computers are powerful and will serve you faithfully for many years; there are no impossible tasks for them.

These short descriptions will give you a general idea of ​​what each Mac is like. The photos given a little further will also show their external data.

Why is Mac better than Windows?

I think all beginners have a similar question, so let’s look at it in more detail:

• Apple produces both the devices themselves and the software. It is more convenient for the user to go to one service center, knowing that their Mac computer will probably be repaired there. And it’s more convenient for the manufacturer to carry out repairs, rather than looking for what program of unknown authorship could disrupt the operation of the device.
• Laptops can work autonomously for quite a long time without turning on the energy-saving mode, and a stationary one will help you save on your electricity bill. This is because OS X consumes much less energy.

• You never know what kind of job you'll get, and sometimes you have to work with software different manufacturers. The program allows you to work with your loved ones Windows applications or Linux.
• Initially, Apple products seem more expensive, but this is only at first glance. With OS X you don't need to install the whole list additional packages programs and patches for comfortable work on the computer because everything is installed by default.
• No dubious experiments with the interface. While Windows is messing around with tiled design, Apple decided not to confuse the concepts of tablet and computer, so the Mac interface is clear and simple for the user.
• Most OS X updates install without the need for a reboot, and if necessary, they will ask and wait for a time convenient for you.
• Antiviruses will no longer be needed, since all software is provided by the manufacturer and in case of problems they will have the problem themselves.
• Image quality, sound quality, performance, size and simply attractive appearance are all factors that influence the price. If you need all these items to conveniently use your computer, then paying for them shouldn’t seem like too much.

• One system for all devices. All Apple devices interact with each other easily and quickly, and many people use them for this very reason.

How to secure your Mac?

There are several basic steps that all conscious users use when setting up a Mac computer. And they protect their devices as follows:

• First you need to disable the guest account and set a password for the personal account. Thus, no one will be able to use this Mac without you, but iCloud will also not be able to track it if it is stolen. To disable login for guests, go to "System Preferences" and then to "Users and Groups." You can also set a password there.
• All in the same " System settings", but already in the "Security" section you can set the frequency of the password request. Try even setting it to be entered every time you turn on from sleep mode.
• In the same Security section, you can enable the FileVault feature, which will allow you to encrypt data on your Mac. The Apple computer will thus prevent attackers from gaining access to it.
• Activate the "Firewall" function along with " Invisible mode". Thus, there will be one more protection against attacks from the Internet. You will only need to enter your password every time you log in.

Apple Mac Pro for true professionals

Laptops of this model come with 13- and 15-inch screens and can easily replace a regular one desktop computer. They are lightweight due to their thin body, and the brightness and image quality on the screen are ensured by Retina technology. They are able to work without connecting to an energy source for up to 8-9 hours.

The Apple Mac Pro desktop computer, in turn, is the most powerful of the company's products. Has a 4 or 6 core Intel Xeon E5 process, 2 graphics AMD processors FirePro D500 or D300. Video memory is up to 6 GB, SSD storage is 236 GB, and RAM is 12-16 GB. With all these parameters, it also looks extremely elegant and sophisticated.

Apple Mac Mini for compact lovers

However, the Apple Mac Mini has an i5 or even more powerful Core i7 along with Graphics video card 4000 from Intel. RAM can be 4, 8 or 16 GB, and one or two 256 GB SSDs. It is capable of connecting to the Internet via Wi-Fi or AirPort, and also has access to Ethernet and Bluetooth connections. Unfortunately, due to its miniature size, it does not have a disk drive, but via USB you can connect an Apple SuperDrive, which is purchased additionally.

Everything is included with iMac!

This type of desktop computer is either a 21.5- or 27-inch monitor with an internal system unit. It is equipped with a 4-core processor, a built-in FaceTime webcam that shoots in HD format, and Thunderbolt ports. It comes with either a Magic Mouse or a Magic Trackpad. Also, you won’t have to spend extra money on speakers with such a purchase; the computer has built-in speakers with high-quality sound almost without distortion. According to user reviews, this model is the most popular.

The only thing more weightless than the MacBook Air is the pen.

It is thanks to the lightness of the case that this laptop got its name. A computer with an 11-inch screen weighs 1.08 kg, and 1.35 kg with a 13-inch screen. With all its charms - a durable body, Multi-Touch technology, SSD drives and a powerful battery - such laptops are not only productive, but also remain lightweight. It is equipped with a 5000 graphics card with built-in video processing module for clear and high-quality reproduction and even for calls via FaceTime HD camera.

Also, Wi-Fi is built into the laptops along with Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 outputs. Moreover, there are connectors for MagSafe 2 power, headphones and an SDXC card. Thanks to powerful MacBook batteries Air can work up to 9-12 hours without recharging. It quickly turns off into sleep mode, and if you don’t use it after that for more than an hour, it will automatically go into sleep mode, which saves battery well. Its overall dimensions are 1.7x30x19.2 or 1.7x32.5x22.7 cm. Despite its compactness, the laptop keyboard is full-size with automatic adjustment backlight.

Now you see that a Mac computer is powerful and easy to use, and not just a loud brand with astronomical prices. If you respect your time and comfort, then you should think about such a purchase.

The back of the Mac Pro contains all available ports and controls. However, or rather, there is only one “element”, the power button. There are a decent number of connectors: a headphone output, an audio output combined with an optical output, four USB 3.0, six (!) Thunderbolt 2.0, two gigabit RJ-45, HDMI 1.4 and a power connector. All this will be more than enough to work with modern peripherals. However, you still need to look for one for Thunderbolt.

Of course, the question arises: “why is everything at the back - it won’t be so convenient to insert the same flash drive!” There is some truth in this. But judge for yourself - the 2013 Mac Pro is 8 times smaller than previous models, and at the same time much more compact. It won't be difficult to turn it with one hand. Moreover, it has a built-in motion sensor that detects rotation and automatically lights up all connectors! So you don’t have to hold the computer “towards the forest in front, and back to you with wires sticking out.”

Technical components of Apple Mac Pro 2013 and its disassembly

The new Mac Pro attracts attention not only with its extravagant appearance. The “stuffing” of the computer was seriously redesigned. As you know, Mac Pro 2009 was based on Lynnfield processors (Nehalem architecture). A year later, a version of the computer with Xeon architecture of Westmere was presented. That is, the same Nehalem architecture was used, but switched to a new technical process. Plus, the processors have six full cores. Another year later, but already as part of the Mac Pro 2012, interestingly, all the same processors based on the Westmere architecture were used. From generation to generation, only the clock speed of the “stones” increased. At the same time, the X58 Express chipset did not have native support for USB 3.0 and SATA 3.0.

Could be used as part of Mac Pro 2012 discrete video card level of Radeon HD 5770 or Radeon HD 5870. The high level of performance was maintained due to the ability to install two processors on the motherboard at once (12 Westmere cores still represent a very productive solution today). If we take into account the performance of one core and the small computing capabilities of video, then they are no longer enough. In this area, both the iMac and MacBook Pro can compete with the Mac Pro 2012.

Apple understood this, so they carried out a major modernization of the technical component of their new desktop. Firstly, it was decided to abandon the use of multiple central processors. The Apple company decided to turn to the services of “stones” of Intel Xeon architecture Ivy Bridge-E. Secondly, with the development of parallel GPGPU computing, two FirePro GPUs from AMD were integrated into the desktop. Finally, it was decided to abandon the use of mechanical hard drives in favor of an ultra-fast SSD.

However, let's study everything in more detail technical features new Mac Pro.

Specifications

As always, the Mac Pro is a bit of a construction kit. There are two basic configurations, which can always be supplemented based on the wishes of the buyer. The cost of a desktop can vary from 125,000 rubles to 417,000 rubles. That is, the most powerful version“firmware” - with a 12-core Xeon, a couple of FirePro D700 and a 1 TB SSD - will cost the same as a “zero” SKODA Fabia.