The right choice of MacBook from Apple. MacBook Pro lineup Apple laptops by year of manufacture

What have you come up with in 10 years?

The year 2016 has come, and already 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.

About how they have risen in price in terms of rubles, we will not remember better. Especially when you can buy any in installments without additional payment. There's no better way to update a working Mac. Moreover, they have always been considered the ultimate laptops of busy people.

How it all started

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

Steve Jobs stated two main drawbacks of PowerPC: too high heating of the processor during operation and a banal failure to keep promises. Heat was a very serious disadvantage for laptops, which require additional energy to cool, and the processors themselves were by no means economical (performance per watt was too low). At the same time, the company was not in a 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 unequivocally whether there was a transition to Intel only for these two reasons, or there are other aspects. Perhaps Apple decided to cooperate with a more promising, in its opinion, company in the future. Or maybe the company wanted users to be able to install… Windows on its products?

But it was this moment that became the starting point for Apple to create new MacBook Pro laptops.

First generation MacBook Pro

Release date: 2006
Main characteristics:

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

The very first MacBook Pro was unveiled 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. Outwardly, it has become 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 by the ATI Mobility Radeon X1600, which had 128 or 256 MB of video memory and worked on GDDR3 SDRAM.
There was a built-in iSight camera located above the display.
An infrared sensor has appeared to work with the Front Row multimedia player via the remote remote control that came with the kit.
Replaced MagSafe power connector. The company paid special attention to it, demonstrating that if someone accidentally touches the power cable, it will safely disconnect from the laptop, and will not drag it along with it in an unknown direction. This is realized 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 / h 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 near-silent operation of the computer received separate praise from future users.

Despite this, several drawbacks 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 much weaker than the one installed in the PowerBook G4.

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

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

And between mid-2007 and early 2008, models appeared with an improved Core 2 Duo processor up to 2.5 GHz, FSB from 667 MHz to 800 MHz (which increased the speed of communication between memory and the central processor), even more volume hard drive 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 even hard to imagine on Apple products. The next significant step was a complete redesign of the chassis, and that's how we got 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, a new MacBook Pro model was introduced, the key difference from previous versions was using the new Unibody cases.

The essence of this technology comes down to the gradual "turning" of the laptop case from a single piece of aluminum, and not to the connection of pre-created parts. This made the new laptops smaller and stronger.

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

The new line received a choice of two graphics cards: NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT with 256 or 512 MB of dedicated memory and GeForce 9400M with 256 MB of shared system memory.
The bandwidth of the FSB bus has been increased from 800 MHz to 1066 MHz.
Increased hard drive capacity with solid state drive option.
The optical drive began to fit not in front, but on the side of the case.
The keyboard has completely changed, which is now black with a bright backlight.
The trackpad has become larger, which provides additional space for scrolling and using multi-touch gestures.
The lid has magnetic gaskets instead of mechanical latches, so that when closing, there is a small gap that allows you to conveniently open the laptop.
It cannot be said that the performance has slightly increased, whether it is the performance of the processor or the video card.
The battery has become removable, and there is also access to the hard drive.

The 17-inch Unibody MacBook Pro was introduced in January 2009 at the MacWorld conference by Phil Schiller. This model differed from its 15-inch counterpart with a matte display option 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 for up to seven hours of battery life.

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

In February 2011, a new lineup was released that received Intel Core i5 and i7 Sandy Bridge processors, the latest Intel technology Thunderbolt and high definition FaceTime camera. Also in the new models it was possible to use discrete graphics cards from AMD: Radeon HD 6490M and Radeon HD 6750M.

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Third generation MacBook Pro (Retina display)

Release date: year 2012
Main characteristics:

Intel Core i5 and i7 processor from 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 integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 and discrete NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M 1GB
RAM 4, 8 and 16 GB

The MacBook Pro generation with Retina display was introduced on June 11, 2012 at WWDC. Apple has 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 picture quality has grown significantly, the image has become more contrast, and there are much less glare. However, these are not all the chips of the new generation:

The size and weight of laptops have changed - they have become thinner and lighter. In addition, there was a MacBook Pro model with a 13-inch display.
Increased performance and speed.
An important change was the joint work of the integrated Ivy Bridge GPU (Intel HD Graphics 4000) and a discrete graphics card in the form of the 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 slightly, which is now more protected from crumbs getting into it, which is why pressing the buttons has become more dense.

Among the shortcomings, one can note the absence of an optical drive, which now may not be so important for users, and an Ethernet connector. There are also ventilation holes in the bottom panel of the case, which upset those who like to use a laptop on their laps.

In 2013, the MacBook Pro has undergone changes again - models with Intel Ivy Bridge 2.8 GHz (Turbo Boost 3.8 GHz) and Intel Haswell 2.6 GHz (Turbo Boost 3.8 GHz) processors appeared. In the fall of 2013, the graphics processor was also updated - now Intel Iris Pro Graphics and NVidia Geforce GT 750M 2GB were installed in models with a complete set.

20 years ago, Apple introduced the world to its first portable computer (it’s rather difficult to call it a laptop because of its impressive size) Macintosh Portable. Edition Ars Technica made an excursion into the past and once again remembered the most memorable laptops released in Cupertino. Memorable in the good sense of the word, and not so much.

September marked 20 years since the creation of the first portable Macintosh computer, which was proudly called the Macintosh Portable. In fairness, it should be noted that it was actually portable, but its dimensions were far from miniature. The first portable Mac weighed about 7.26 kg and measured approximately 10 cm x 38 cm x 37 cm. Rather primitive by today's standards, a 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 of the 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 no surprise 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 disk memory. In February 1991, the model was updated with a backlit screen, but in October of that year, Apple stopped development of the Mac Portable, releasing its first PowerBook 100.

This is how the history of Apple laptops began.

Powerbook 170

Introduced in October 1991, the PowerBook 100 incorporated several innovative features that are now ubiquitous in laptops of all makes and models. In particular, his keyboard was moved to the side of the screen, and the cursor control (mouse) was located in the front center, and took the form 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 counterparts - PowerBook 100 and 140 - in a black-and-white display with an active matrix, as well as a 68030 processor at 25MHz. Of course, all that computing power came at a higher price: the 170 retailed for $4,600, $2,100 more than the PowerBook 100 with its 16MHz 68000 processor.

The PowerBook 170 weighed about 3.1 kilograms, a whopping 4 kilograms less than its Mac Portable predecessor, and was also much smaller: 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 him that a real revolution in laptop design occurred.

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 no 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 b/w active matrix display and no small amount of computing power for such a (comparatively) compact model.

The Duo had a 68030 processor at 33MHz, 4MB RAM and a 200MB hard drive. Its only connection to the outside world was a serial port to which a modem or printer could be connected. In case you wanted to connect it to a monitor, an external SCSI drive, or a floppy disk, you were offered to buy the Duo Dock, complete with all the necessary ports, as well as a NuBus bus. The Dock cost $500, on top of the original $2,600 for the Duo 250, but allowed you to turn your compact laptop into a near full desktop.

PowerBook 540c

The years following the untimely demise 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, which was dominated by 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 active-matrix color display was a real sensation at the time. The 540c, 520, 520c, and 540 models were the first to feature a touchpad and built-in Ethernet. The PowerBook 540c could be upgraded to a PowerPC CPU using an add-on card. Other benefits included the ability to hold two NiMH batteries for 5 hours of use, a built-in modem, and support for memory cards via an optional docking station.

Probably the best thing about the PowerBook 540c was that it was really fast compared to other early 90s laptops. The PowerBook 540c appeared at the dawn of the Power Macintosh era, but its modern counterpart, the Power Mac 6100/60, is hardly perceived as a speed demon now with its 60MHz PPC 601 processor. PowerPC.

PowerBook G3 250MHz (Wallstreet)

Although Apple introduced its first PowerPC-based laptop in 1995 (better known as the PowerBook 5300), it wasn't until May 1998 that the Wallstreet PowerBook G3 was truly noteworthy. Wallstreet was not the first laptop to use the G3 (PowerPC 750) processor, the honor went to the Kanga, released in November 1997, but it was the first laptop specifically designed to run the G3.

Wallstreet was built around a processor that was built specifically for Apple laptops, with a variety of configurations to fit every budget. A model with a 233MHz processor, 32MB RAM, and a 12.1-inch color display retailed for $2,299 (excluding floppy 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 a model with a 250MHz processor with a 13.3-inch display supporting a resolution of 1024x768 and offered for $3899.

It is worth noting that this was the very first Apple laptop capable of booting into Mac OS X.

PowerBook G3 (Pismo)

Pismo was the pinnacle of G3 generation laptop design. Although it looked like Wallstreet in appearance, its interior was very different. The Pismo marked the beginning of a new era by being the first model without SCSI support. Instead, it was equipped with two FireWire ports and two USB. It was also the first PowerBook to support 802.11b using an alternate AirPort card.

Released in February 2000, the Pismo boasted a 100MHz processor, well ahead of its mere 66MHz predecessor (the "Lombard" with a 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 $3499 500MHz model might have seemed a bit pricey, but compared to the mid-1998 Wallstreet 292MHz model at $5600, the price of the Pismo was quite reasonable.

In ditching the SCSI port, Apple introduced another feature that is still heavily used by users of Firewire-equipped Macs: Firewire Target Disk Mode. While AirPort support was an option, the Pismo was the first laptop to stay connected to the rest of the world while within range of an 802.11b wireless port.

Aluminum PowerBook G4

It still remains a controversial question which "Macbook" was better - Titanium PowerBook or Aluminum PowerBook. Sure, the Titanium PowerBook made a lot of noise in January 2001 with its thin profile and streamlined shape, but we're still on the side of the aluminum PowerBook G4, with its backlit keyboard and three sizes, first introduced in San Francisco in January 2003.

Early on, Apple released two AlBook size options: 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 like a PowerBook Duo in its compact size, but at $1,799 it was a pretty powerful machine with a 867MHz processor. Instead of a PC Card slot, there is a mini-VGA connector, a DVD drive, and a full set of Ethernet, USB, and Firewire ports.

The 17-inch AlBook has become a real desktop alternative with a 1.0GHz PowerPC 7455 processor and a 167MHz system bus. The 1440x900 display resolution wasn't ideal, but it was still a big step up from the TiBooks' 1280x854 display. Also, the thickness of this model was only 1 inch.

AlBook was the last laptop in the PowerBook series. Apple shipped the last PowerBook G4 in April 2006, due to the switch to Intel's x86 architecture. However, the design of the model survived until almost October 2008 in the form of the MacBook Pro.

Intel era

Macbook Air

Up until the introduction of the MacBook Air, Apple Intel laptops could be described as evolutionary rather than revolutionary. At first glance, the MacBook Pro was essentially the same as the Aluminum PowerBook, only with Intel hardware, while the white and black MacBooks were the 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 mid-nineties PowerBook 2400c. This time the attempt was successful - the body of the MacBook Air does not exceed 1.93 cm in thickness and weighs only 1.36 kg.

Of course, some sacrifices had to be made to achieve such compactness. The MacBook Air doesn't have an optical drive, Firewire or Ethernet ports - just a single USB port, a headphone jack, and a microVDI port (miniDisplay Port in the second generation). Plus, some complaints were caused by battery life, a weak video card ...

Apple addressed most of these issues by releasing an updated version of the MacBook Air in June this year, adding a new graphics card from Nvidia, increasing battery capacity and slightly speeding up the processor. The new MacBook Air is arguably the most advanced Apple laptop in years, if not the entire history of Apple.

MacBook Pro (Unibody)

It took Apple quite some time to redesign the MacBook Pro line after switching to Intel processors. When the new design was finally unveiled in October 2008, it was clear that it was worth the wait. And when the 13-inch MacBook Pro was unveiled in Cupertino in June 2009, it was arguably the most compelling laptop Apple has ever released. The chassis of the MacBook Pro is made from a single piece of aluminum, making it feel more rigid than its predecessors, the MacBook Pro and AlBooks.

2006, which marked the end of the PowerBook line, was also the last year for the 12-inch Pro series notebooks. Now users who want to buy a laptop with a display of less than 15 inches had only to switch to a MacBook. Apple fixed this annoying fact with the release of the Unibody MacBook Pro series, presented in sizes 13, 15 and 17 inches. Also, those who do not like glossy screens have the opportunity to order a matte screen.

In June, the following innovations were also introduced: the case latch was replaced with a magnetic one, the button was removed from the touch panel and began to function as a button itself, and an SD card slot was added. The biggest criticism of the Unibody series MacBooks has been for their non-removable batteries. However, those who were very annoyed by the dangling cover 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 Apple for it).

A couple of losers

However, not everything was so sunny and beautiful in the land of Apple laptops. There were also frankly failed models that forced their owners to put on a sackcloth and sprinkle ashes on their heads.

Powerbook 5300

The first laptop with a PowerPC processor, perhaps, is 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 with a 117MHz processor. Models with 100MHz processors were offered with B/W passive matrix displays, passive matrix color displays, and active matrix color displays. The $6500 model with the 5300ce/117 processor (3 times the price of the 5300/100 model) 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 the PPC architecture should have been quite successful. Unfortunately, some not-so-successful design decisions led to the fact that this series became successful only 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 they fit a CD-ROM drive. Plus, the 5300 processor wasn't that fast. In fact, the lack of L2 cache and the paucity of programs written specifically for the PowerPC meant that the PowerBook 5300 was even slower than the PowerBook 540 in some cases. batteries caused a fire. The batteries that replaced them were less flammable, but inferior to the first in terms of battery life.

iBook G3 (dual USB)

Apple's original clamshell iBooks, due to their shape, handles, and bright colors, were seen as more of an amateur toy than a full-fledged computer. In May 2001, their creators introduced the world to a new version of the iBook - completely white, with two USB ports. The new version also had improved graphics processing speed, a faster processor, VGA output and other new features that 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 a 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 by default on the iBook, its performance was even more or less tolerable, but users who installed Mac OS X really suffered from the slowness of the system bus.

However, the iBook's biggest problem was 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 group of frustrated users sued Apple, resulting in a three-year warranty extension. Unfortunately, even after updating the iBook line, the version with the G4 processor showed the same problem, which, by the way, was not recognized as a warranty.

Apple products are rightfully considered the highest quality and most in demand in the modern world. Thin and compact in appearance, but powerful in their parameters, laptops manufactured by this company have gained particular fame. If you are reading this article, then most likely you are thinking about purchasing an Apple MacBook. Here you will find the necessary recommendations to help you choose a good Macbook, taking into account both your needs and your budget.

When choosing a Macbook, there are several factors to consider at once.

So, what models of laptops from this company exist and how do they differ? Let's sort it out in order.

Production of the modification of this laptop, which is now on sale, began in March 2015. Apple MacBook Air is the most affordable laptop model from this manufacturer. There are currently two 13-inch models on the market. Initially, an 11-inch model was also on the market, but it was soon discontinued. Now you can only buy it as a used version.

MacBook Air is great for travelers and people with an active lifestyle. If you do not like to sit within four walls and prefer to work with a laptop in a cafe, outdoors, in the country, and so on, this light and compact model will suit you best.

The laptop is equipped with a 1.6 GHz dual-core Core i5 processor and has 8 GB of RAM. All MacBook Air models come with an integrated HD Graphics 6000 card. The manufacturer promises a 12-hour battery life when using the Internet and watching videos.

The main difference between the two MacBook Air models is the storage capacity. For the cheaper model, which has a factory price of $999, that goes up to 128GB. The $1,199 model, meanwhile, has a 256GB drive.

The laptop has a built-in Wi-Fi module that allows you to connect to the network. And it also has Bluetooth, allowing you to connect a mouse and other wireless devices. If you want to use this laptop on an Ethernet network, you will need a special USB adapter (Apple's factory price for this adapter is $29). The laptop supports Thunderbolt 2 technology.

There are also two USB 3.0 ports that can work with devices using USB 2.0. MacBook Air is able to perform everyday routine tasks, send and receive e-mail, provide full Internet access, and work with office applications. It can be used to edit short videos and to process images from iPhone and other devices.

This option can be chosen by those users who need to perform a variety of work on the computer on the road or moving from place to place. It's also the best work laptop for a freelancer. The MacBook Air is Apple's most affordable laptop, making it an attractive price tag as well.

macbook

The next model we'll look at was released in April 2016. It's an ultraportable laptop that's even lighter than a MacBook Air. It is intended for people who prefer mobility to all other tasks, including various additional features and performance. This laptop only comes in one size: 12 inches. But there are a variety of colors: rose gold, space gray, gold, silver.

There are two modifications that differ in processor power. The $1,299 model is powered by a 1.1GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor and has 256GB of storage space. The more expensive $1,599 model has the same processor, but at 1.2GHz and 512GB of storage. Both models have 8 GB of RAM and an integrated Intel HD Graphics 515.

Also, this laptop is equipped with a Retina display, which means it has an ultra-high resolution and is able to show a sharper image than the MacBook Air, which has a standard display. The standard resolution of a modern Retina display on a MacBook is 2304x1440.

Like the previous model, the laptop is equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules, but it has only one USB-C port for connecting storage devices, printers, external displays, power adapters and more. If your devices use an older version of USB, you'll need a custom USB-C to USB adapter, which costs about $19. And you will also need an adapter to connect to Ethernet ($29 at Apple factory price) - in addition to the previous adapter, since you will need both to connect. Finally, if you want to connect an HDMI or VGA display, you'll need another $49 adapter.

However, the performance of the Core M processor of this model is at a good level and can be compared with the performance of the MacBook Air. Thus, the laptop can also perform all the necessary everyday tasks. This model is suitable for those users who do not often need to connect external devices, since it is not very convenient to carry a whole bunch of adapters with them. At the same time, the laptop is thin, light and perfect for people who are light on their feet.

The last model on the list is the MacBook Pro, released in October 2016. The model differs in the advanced screen with especially accurate and bright image. If you look at the screen from the usual distance at which the user is used to working at a computer, it becomes impossible to see individual pixels.

The laptop is designed for demanding users who pay special attention to performance. At the moment, the Pro model is Apple's first performance laptop.

There is a whole line of modifications of this laptop.

Model for $1499. 13" screen, 2GHz dual-core Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB disk space, integrated Intel Iris Graphics 540, no touchpad.
MacBook Pro $1799. The screen is also 13 inches, but the processor frequency is higher - 2.9 GHz. The size of the memory and disk, as well as the card, are identical to the previous model, but there is a touch panel Touch Bar - a novelty from Apple, which each user can customize for himself by placing the functions he needs.
The next model is priced at $1999. It has the same frequency of the processor - 2.9 GHz, a 13-inch screen, the same amount of RAM and the same card as the previous model. The difference lies only in the amount of disk space, in this model its volume is 512 GB. The touchpad is also present.
Model for $2399. This laptop has a larger screen - 15 inches, as well as a different processor - a dual-core Core i7 at 2.6 GHz. The amount of RAM is 16 GB, disk space - 256 GB. There is an integrated Intel HD Graphics 530 card, as well as a discrete 2 GB Radeon Pro 450 graphics card. There is also a touch panel.
The $2,799 model is identical to the previous model except for the following: 2.7 GHz processor speed, 512 GB disk space, Radeon Pro discrete graphics

And a few more words about the new Touch Bar - an innovation and a hallmark of these laptops. It is the input device located at the top of the keyboard. The buttons on this panel and the functions they invoke depend on the software. Note that the $1,499 first model of the MacBook Pro line doesn't have a touch bar, just the regular function buttons.

Overall, MacBook Pro laptops are the most powerful laptops Apple has ever released. This is especially true for 15-inch models with improved graphics card performance.

Comparison of some models

The $1,499 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air show some interesting comparisons. In performance testing, the MacBook Pro performs significantly more impressively - it is 25 percent faster. When using professional software applications, it also leads in terms of speed. A slightly different picture is obtained when using conventional software applications - browsers and e-mail. In this case, the MacBook Pro shows only a slight performance advantage. While working, for example, in a browser or text editor, the difference is almost imperceptible to the average user.

For the most demanding users, the $1,799 MacBook Pro is the best bet. This model has a Retina display, which provides an excellent image. The performance of this laptop is also at a good level. And the disk space and two inches diagonal that separate this model from the next in the line are not decisive and do not provide a serious advantage, but the price varies significantly.

ADVICE. If you want maximum performance then the choice is clear, Apple's most powerful laptop is the $2799 MacBook Pro. If the usual work at the computer includes only access to the Internet and work in a text editor, then the MacBook Air will be enough for you. Well, if you are not chasing the most modern models, a used Macbook is also suitable for you.

New or used?

Experience shows that the life of Apple computers is very long due to their good quality. Processor performance has not increased much in recent years. The main changes that are being made to the new models relate mainly to battery life and various innovative elements, such as the touch panel. Therefore, the demand for used equipment of this company is not weakening.

In general, all Apple equipment produced in recent years demonstrates an equally high quality. Therefore, you can buy a used MacBook Air from 2013 and get a great laptop for your daily needs at a significantly reduced price compared to the new model.

In order not to make a mistake when buying, you can follow the steps below to help you choose a good working used Macbook.

We hope this guide will help you make the right choice and purchase a laptop, new or used, with the parameters that will fully meet your needs. After all, Apple technology can serve its owner for a really long time. Good luck!

Do you want to buy a laptop and wondered which MacBook to buy? Not so long ago, there were so many laptops from Apple, but at the beginning and middle of 2017, the lineup of laptops consists of 6 gadgets. It is technically difficult to navigate in such a variety. But such a wide choice will allow you to choose a model within your means.

Before buying a laptop, decide whether you want to buy an Apple product or another manufacturer. Many potential buyers are doubtful about the price of "apple" gadgets. The price is explained by the fact that Apple manufactures products using advanced technologies and the quality of parts is at a high level.

Manufactured with care for nature, spare parts are recyclable. Laptop cases from other manufacturers are usually made of plastic. Apple products come in a metal case. A single piece of aluminum allows the final product to be strong, light and stylish.

Which MacBook to choose?

It is better to buy models relevant for the current year. But, if you do not have enough money, then older versions are a good alternative. Below is an overview of the current models of 2017.

12″ MacBook with Retina display (2016)

Complete set of the device: the gadget itself, leaflets, a charger (29 W; 2.4 A; 5.2 V), a USB Type C cable. The peculiarity of the gadget is in one single USB Type C port . To get out of this situation, many people buy adapters. There is a Mini-Jack port for a headset. A new color scheme has appeared: rose gold. The gadget weighs 0.92 kg. The price is within 102 - 135 thousand rubles.

The Retina screen is equipped with oleophobic protection and anti-glare coating. The screen does not flicker. An IPS matrix is used. Viewing angles are wide enough. You can order two builds: the first with an Intel Core m3-6Y30 processor and a 256 GB drive size. The second with an Intel Core m5-6Y54 processor and 512 GB of storage. The RAM size for both assemblies is 8 GB. The Intel HD Graphics 515 is responsible for the graphics. Battery capacity 5477 mAh. It provides battery life for 10 hours (if you watch Full HD video in QuickTime).

13″ MacBook Air (non-Retina)

Popular as the company's most inexpensive laptop, released in 2016. The unibody case on the lid is equipped with a luminous apple. The device weighs 1.34 kg. Charging via MagSafe 2 port. There are two USB 3.0 connectors and Thunderbolt 2 for communication. There is an SD card reader. Color only "silver".

There are two builds: the first one works with an Intel Core i5-3427U processor (dual core) , the second works with a dual-core Intel Core i7-3667U. The processor that provides the graphics is Intel HD Graphics 6000. The capacity of RAM is 8 GB, the volume of SSD drives can be 512, 256 and 128 GB. The price varies from 76 to 115 thousand rubles.

Macbook Pro

This laptop is suitable for resource-intensive tasks and is represented by several representatives.

MacBook Pro 13″ Touch Bar

The device comes with a 2 m USB Type C / Thunderbolt 3 cable, charger, flyers. The gadget has compact dimensions, even when compared with Air. The device weighs 1.37 kg. There are two colors: gray and Space Gray. The gadget opens wide. The display uses IPS matrix. Screen resolution 2560 x 1600 pixels with a density of 227 per inch. There is an anti-reflective coating. The display has good viewing angles.

The keyboard uses butterfly technology. The size of the touchpad area has increased. There was an OLED touch panel instead of a row of "F" keys on the keyboard. It performs the former functions and additional ones, depending on the program in which you are currently working. The Touch ID button has appeared, you can use the fingerprint for the same purposes as on a smartphone. Communication is provided by: Thunderbolt 3 (4 ports that support USB Type C) and a Mini-Jack connector.

The device is powered by a dual-core Intel Core i7-6567U processor. Intel Iris 550 is responsible for the graphics quality . LPDDR3 RAM is 16 GB. The size of the SSD can be 1TB. The weak point of the gadget is the battery. The gadget can work without recharging up to seven hours.

MacBook Pro 13″ without Touch Bar

The laptop has a size of 13.3 inches. The screen resolution is 2560 x 1600 pixels. Color gamut support - DCI-P3 . The performance of the device is provided by the Intel Core i5-6360U processor , which is supported by the Intel Iris Graphics 540 processor. LPDDR3 RAM has a size of 8 GB. The storage capacity is 256 GB.

The gadget is connected by a pair of Thunderbolt 3 ports. and Mini-Jack by 3.5 mm. The laptop weighs 1.37 kg. Has dimensions: 304.1 x 212.4 x 14.9 mm. The input panel is made according to the "butterfly 2.0" technology, the keys have a smaller stroke. The touchpad has become larger in area. The glow of the apple on the lid has disappeared. There are two colors: Space Gray and grey. Dimensions: 304.1 x 212.4 x 14.9 mm. The accumulator provides work from one charge about 8 hours (at load above average).

MacBook Pro 15″ Retina

The package includes: the laptop itself, a charger and several leaflets. The laptop is equipped with four USB-C Thunderbolt connectors. The laptop also charges via USB-C Thunderbolt , so you no longer need to think about which side to insert the cable. Charging can be done with an external battery. The device has a Touch Bar strip instead of the "F" row of keyboard keys. It performs the same tasks, but even wider. In programs adapted to the panel, you can additionally execute commands with the help of a strip. The gadget weighs 1.83 kg.

The display has an oleophobic and anti-glare coating. The type of IPS matrix being used. Screen brightness automatically adjusts to ambient light. Viewing angles are wide, color reproduction is bright and colorful. The extension is 2880 × 1800 pixels. Their density is 220 per inch. The base build has an Intel Core i7-6770HQ dual-core processor. Image quality provided by Intel Iris Pro Graphics 580 . RAM LPDDR3 has a size of sixteen GB. SSD storage capacity varies: 256 GB and 512 . Battery size 76 Wh. The price of the product is from 176 thousand and above.

MacBook Pro 13″ 2015

The model can be ordered in three dual-core processor configurations: Intel Core i5-5257U, Intel Core i5-5287U and Intel Core i7-5557U. Intel Iris 6100 Graphics provides graphics. RAM LPDDR3 can be 8 and 16 GB. Retina display resolution 2560 × 1600 pixels, using an IPS matrix . The sizes of the information drive are found: 128, 256, 512 and 1024 GB. Communication is provided by: two Thunderbolt 2, two USB 3.0 , one HDMI . There is an SD card reader and a 3.5mm headset jack. The gadget weighs 1.58 kg. 74.9 Wh battery volume.

After reading the reviews, choose a laptop based on your goals and needs. After all, the correct use of the possibilities of technology is the key to effective results.

I was introduced relatively late - by the standards of notebook history - to laptop developments when the first version of the PowerBook was introduced in the early 1990s. Of course, we had Apple II computers in school to learn how to use, but my first “self-purchased” Apple computer was a Power Macintosh G3, which I bought in 1998 more out of curiosity than out of necessity.

I didn't play those games that were popular 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 featured Macromedia's suite of web-based editing tools, some elements of then-nascent OS 9 purple-themed web design, and seemingly sky-high programs like Sherlock (a search engine, predecessor to Spotlight) and iTools (which later evolved into .Mac, then Mobile Me and and finally iCloud).

PowerBook 170. 1991. Source: deepapple.com.

In the early 2000s, deciding between Apple and Windows machines, I impulsively bought a new Titanium-hulled PowerBook G4s 12-inch model (again, more out of curiosity). By today's standards - compared to, say, the MacBook Air on which I'm writing this article - the PowerBook G4 looks like a metal behemoth. But in fact, this machine was not to occupy the power: 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 MacBook Pro line itself.

2006: First MacBook Pro

MacBook Pro, 2006. Photo: lowendmac.com.

The history of the MacBook begins with Macworld 2006, January 9-13, where Steve Jobs unveiled Apple's first Intel-based laptop, called the MacBook Pro.

“It’s no secret that we tried to fit the PowerPC G5 into the PowerBook case, but we couldn’t do it because of the high power consumption,” Jobs said at the time, explaining that the design choice was based on the calculation of “performance per watt of energy consumed.”

According to Apple's report, the G4's performance on this score was 0.27, while the newer G5's performance was worse at 0.23. For comparison, the then brand new Core Duo processor showed a performance of 1.05 or 4.5 times more than the PowerPC G4.

"Core Duo was originally designed for this," Jobs said at the launch. - And today we are introducing a new laptop based on this processor, which we call the MacBook Pro. We chose this new name because we've pretty much solved the performance issue, and we also want our products to have a Mac prefix in the name."

I bought this laptop immediately. I don't remember exactly how much I paid, but something like 2.5 thousand dollars. The 15-inch model weighed only slightly lighter than the PowerBook G4 at around 2.5kg and was slightly thinner at 2.5cm.

But this computer was equipped with Core Duo processors with a frequency of 1.83 GHz to 2.16 GHz, two memory slots up to 2 GB of RAM, a hard drive from 80 to 120 GB, LCD displays from 15.4 inches with a resolution of 1440 x 900 to 17" 1680 x 1050, ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics card, DVD optical drive, built-in Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth, two USB ports (three on 17" 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 (before that, you had to carry a separate camera with you) and an infrared sensor that allowed you to control the FrontRow media player remotely. In addition, for the first time, the notebook was equipped with a MagSafe power connector, which allows you to quickly and easily connect the power cord and prevents the notebook from falling if someone accidentally kicks the cord.

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 assembling the laptop was a whole procedure. I've had to replace the hard drive twice, and every time I had to work hard 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 2 Duo processor and a larger hard drive was added to the line. In June 2007, models equipped with a backlit LED display, an ATI graphics card and support for 802.11n Wi-Fi networks appeared. And between the middle of 2007 and the beginning of 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 the memory and the central processor), even more hard drive capacity and up to 8 GB total memory.

2008: Unibody MacBook Pro

It took Apple two years to develop the next major design change. During a "special launch event" on October 14, 2008 at the company's Cupertino headquarters, Steve Jobs unveiled a significantly redesigned MacBook Pro in a slim, milled-aluminum chassis 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 "much more solid and rigid."

The port connectors on the new Pros have been moved to the left side of the case, freeing up space on the right side for the optical drive that used to be located at the front of the base. The lid now has magnetic gaskets instead of mechanical latches, so there is a slight gap when closing, which allows you to conveniently open the laptop.

The new Pros also get widescreen glossy screens, large glossy trackpads (recognizing four types of touch), increased FSB bandwidth from 800 MHz to 1066 MHz, more hard drive capacity with an SSD option, and separate Nvidia GeForce 9000 series mobile graphics cards included in two different systems: one for low power daily use and another for more intense 3D work. The weight of the laptop remained about the same as that of the first MacBook Pro - 2.5 kg. The parameters have changed slightly: they have become a couple of millimeters smaller in height and width.

Keep in mind that this presentation was only eight months after Jobs unveiled the MacBook Air, Apple's new ultrathin laptop. So it 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 17-inch model was introduced a few months later 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, thus marking the product's place as the youngest in the plastic MacBook family.