Successful development of the top line of laptops
In the spring of 2012, Apple made a splash in the laptop market with the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display. The 15-inch IPS-screen with a revolutionary 2880 × 1800 resolution immediately attracted increased public attention to the new product. However, this was not the only difference from other MacBook Pros. The model turned out to be as powerful as a regular MacBook Pro, but much thinner and with an SSD instead of a hard drive. A real top level!
The second device made with this recipe is the 13-inch MacBook Pro Retina model. The release took place in the fall (sales began in Russia at the end of November), and for many users it turned out to be an even more attractive proposition than the 15-inch model. After all, parameters such as thickness and weight are felt primarily in mobile use. And in this regard, the 13-inch model is a priori more comfortable than the 15-inch one. Best of all, the cheapest 13-inch MacBook Pro Retina was $ 500 less than the cheapest 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro.
It is clear that this was the result not only of a decrease in the diagonal, but also of some changes in the hardware, but at the same time, the scenario for using a 13-inch laptop is still different, focused more on mobile applications (typing text on the road, watching a movie , go online in a hotel or cafe), rather than work that requires high productivity (video editing, editing large volumes of photos, etc.). Therefore, if in the case of the 15-inch MacBook Pro Retina we can talk about a universal laptop for homework and long business trips, in the case of the 13-inch model, Apple clearly aimed at creating an ideal portable model, which, although slightly inferior to the MacBook Air in terms of thickness and mass, but significantly surpasses it in all other parameters.
We will talk in detail about how this was achieved in this article.
Let's take a look at the key specs of the 13-inch MacBook Pro Retina and compare them to a typical 2012 MacBook Pro with the same screen size.
| MacBook Pro 13 ″ with Retina display (junior) | MacBook Pro 13 ″ with Retina display (older version) | MacBook Pro 13 ″ 2012 line (junior version) | MacBook Pro 13 ″ 2012 line (older version) | |
| Screen (size, type of matrix, resolution, number of pixels per inch) | 13.3 ″, IPS, 2560 × 1600 (227 ppi) | 13.3 ″, TN-film, 1280 × 800 (113 ppi) | ||
| CPU | Intel Core i5-3210M (2 cores, 2.5 GHz), optional - Intel Core i7-3520M (2 cores, 2.9 GHz) | Intel Core i5-3210M (2 cores, 2.5 GHz) | Intel Core i7-3520M (2 cores, 2.9 GHz) | |
| Graphics system | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | Intel HD Graphics 4000 |
| RAM | 8 GB DDR3L | 8 GB DDR3L | 4GB DDR3 (expandable up to 8GB) | 8 GB DDR3 |
| Optical drive | is absent | is absent | 8x SuperDrive DVD optical drive | |
| SSD / HDD | 128GB SSD (expandable up to 768GB) | 256GB SSD (expandable up to 768GB) | 500 GB HDD (other options available on request) | 750 GB HDD (other options are possible on request) |
| Connectors | 2 × USB 3.0, 2 × Thunderbolt, HDMI, SDXC card slot, 3.5 mm headphone jack | 2 × USB 3.0, Thunderbolt, Ethernet, FireWire 800, SDXC card slot, 3.5mm headphone jack, 3.5mm mic-in | ||
| Internet, Bluetooth | Wi-Fi (802.11 a / b / g / n) / Bluetooth 4.0 | Wi-Fi (802.11 a / b / g / n) / Bluetooth 4.0 | Wi-Fi (802.11 a / b / g / n) / Bluetooth 4.0 | |
| Webcam | yes (720r) | yes (720r) | yes (720r) | yes (720r) |
| Weight (kg) | 1,62 | 1,62 | 2,06 | 2,06 |
| Price (US, excluding tax) | from 1699 dollars | from 1999 dollars | from 1199 dollars | from 1499 dollars |
So, we can see that the main difference between the configuration of models with a Retina display and models with a conventional screen is that there is a default SSD, not a hard drive, as well as 8 GB of RAM, even in the lower configuration, and a different set of connectors (this will be discussed below ). However, it is worth noting that all 13-inch Apple laptops run on an integrated GPU, while in the case of 15-inch models it was possible to get discrete graphics. Another observation: between the younger and older configurations of the MacBook Pro Retina 13 ″, the only difference lies in the size of the SSD. The processors are the same there and there.
As for the price, if we take identical configurations of a model with a Retina display and a regular MacBook Pro (you can configure it so that the match is complete), it turns out that the difference in cost will be $ 200. That is, a regular MacBook Pro with 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD instead of an HDD can be purchased for $ 1,499. The difference is, of course, tangible, but you can pay extra for a luxurious screen, less weight and thickness. However, while we will not make final conclusions and proceed to face-to-face acquaintance with the MacBook Pro Retina 13 ″.
Packaging and equipment
Apple rarely surprises users with the design and packaging of its products, adhering to the once minimalistic approach: only the essentials, but in a very stylish white box.
As for the contents of the box, in this case it is a charger, an extension cable, a screen cleaning cloth and a set of paper products: a quick start guide for MacBook Pro and OS X 10.8, a booklet with safety information and other supporting information, as well as traditional "Apple" stickers.
Design
The design of the 13-inch MacBook Pro is almost identical to that of the 15-inch model. The placement of the connectors is completely the same, the general appearance also does not have significant changes compared to the first model of the Retina line. The open notebook impresses with its sleek and slim design. In addition, very narrow bezels around the screen (about a centimeter) should be noted. Thanks to this, the laptop is quite compact in length and width, and the screen looks especially advantageous.
The main difference between the 15-inch and 13-inch MacBook Pro Retina models is the bulk. The 13-inch model is 400 grams lighter, and this, you see, is very significant. But the novelty, alas, cannot boast of a smaller thickness. On the contrary, it "got fat" by 1 mm. But it's still about half a centimeter thinner than the "regular" 13-inch MacBook Pro. It is also significant that the new MacBook Retina is about 400 grams lighter than the regular 13-inch MacBook Pro, which could be a strong argument in favor of the Retina variant.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro Retina has a comfortable keyboard, with mid-height keys lower than the regular MacBook Pro but taller than the MacBook Air. Typing on a keyboard like this is enjoyable, although lovers of long travel keys might prefer something else. The touchpad is traditionally excellent, and OS X 10.8 Mountatin Lion's gesture control is a real pleasure.
As for the placement of connectors, we repeat, we did not find any difference from the 15-inch model: on the left side there is one USB 3.0, a 3.5 mm headphone jack and two Thunderbolt, on the right side there is a second USB 3.0, full-size HDMI and a card slot SDXC memory. Unfortunately, peripherals and external drives for Thunderbolt are still exotic, so, most likely, both connectors will not be particularly useful for now. But two USB 3.0, HDMI and a slot for memory cards will certainly not be superfluous.
If we compare the configuration of connectors and slots in the 13-inch MacBook Pro, then the model with Retina pleases with the presence of HDMI, but disappoints with the absence of a hole for the microphone, Ehternet and FireWire, which a regular MacBook Pro with a similar screen diagonal has. Although, if we are talking specifically about mobile use, it is quite possible to do without all this. But the presence of a video output, on the contrary, can be useful for organizing presentations on business trips.
Screen
Detailed testing of the MacBook Pro Retina 13 "screen was carried out by Aleksey Kudryavtsev, editor of the" Projectors and TV "section.
The front surface of the screen is covered with a glass scratch-resistant plate with a mirror-smooth surface. There is an anti-glare filter, moreover, so effective that even direct reflection of bright light sources practically does not interfere with the work. This filter is one of the most significant factors in the reason that the screens of modern Apple laptops in real-world use scenarios are superior to those of other manufacturers. On the outer surface of the screen there is no special oleophobic coating, which is natural, since there is no touch finger input either (although many users have a habit of touching the screen with their fingers, so this coating still has some relevance anyway). Note that all hardware tests were run on the native operating system with color management disabled.
With manual brightness control, its maximum value was 314 cd / m², with half brightness control value - 55 cd / m², with a minimum value - the backlight turns off completely. As a result, at maximum brightness in bright daylight (taking into account what was said above about the anti-glare filter), you can work behind a laptop, and in complete darkness, the screen brightness can be lowered to a comfortable level. There is an automatic brightness control by the light sensor (it is located to the left of the front camera eye). In complete darkness, the auto-brightness function reduces the brightness to 6 cd / m² (this is very dark), in an office lit with artificial light, the brightness is set to 22 cd / m² (low), in a very bright environment - it rises to 290 cd / m² (it was possible and to the maximum). That is, automatic brightness control does not quite adequately respond to external conditions. At low brightness, there is virtually no backlight modulation, so no flicker is visible.
MacBook Pro uses an IPS-type matrix, so the screen has very good viewing angles without inverting tints and without significant color shift, even with large deviations from the perpendicular to the screen. True, which is typical for any IPS matrix, the black field is lightened when deviated along the diagonal and, depending on the direction of deviation, acquires a red-violet tint or remains close to neutral gray. However, the increase in the brightness of the black field with a deviation of the gaze diagonally is significantly less than that of a typical IPS-matrix. The black field uniformity is very good when viewed from a perpendicular view. The response time for the transition black-white-black is 23.1 ms (13.0 ms on + 10.1 ms off). The transition between 25% and 75% halftones (by numerical color value) takes 34.3 ms in total. The contrast is slightly higher than that of a typical IPS-matrix - about 900: 1. The 32-point gamma curve showed no blockage in highlights or shadows, and the exponent of the approximating power function is 2.34, which is slightly higher than the standard value of 2.2. In this case, the real gamma curve actually coincides with the power dependence:
The color gamut is exactly sRGB:
The spectra show that the matrix filters mix the components together to a moderate extent:
As a result, images on this laptop display natural saturation (recall that most digital images - illustrations, photographs, videos and films - are optimized for display on screens with or very close to sRGB coverage).
The color temperature balance is excellent - shades of gray have a color temperature close to 6500 K, which changes little over the entire part of the gray scale that matters. The deviation from the blackbody spectrum (delta E) is about 4 units, which can be considered a very good indicator for a consumer device. Similarly, delta E varies very little, which is of fundamental importance for the subjective perception of color balance. (The dark areas of the gray scale can be ignored, since the color balance there does not really matter, and the error in measuring color characteristics at low brightness is large.)
In general, the characteristics of the screen allow us to state with a high degree of certainty that this is one of the best screens among all screens ever produced by laptops. Behind such a screen, in almost any conditions, you can comfortably work and have fun - play, watch photos and movies.
Platform
As noted, both MacBook Pro 13 ″ Retina variants are equipped with an Intel Core i5-3210M processor (2 cores, 2.5 GHz). This is a dual-core mobile processor of the Ivy Bridge architecture, made at 22 nm. Each core is clocked at 2.5 GHz and Turbo Boost up to 3.1 GHz. Hyper-Threading is supported, that is, calculations can be performed in 4 threads.
We are already familiar with this processor from Lenovo Thinkpad X230 laptop. Therefore, we recommend that you refer to testing by Sergey Korogod. We will limit ourselves to testing in a Mac environment using a few popular benchmarks and focus on comparing it with the 15-inch MacBook Pro Retina, which we had on testing.
Testing
The speed of the processor and RAM will help us to check the benchmarks Geekbench 2 and Novabench. Both are featured in the Mac App Store.
In Geekbench, which measures CPU and RAM performance, the laptop scored 7440 points. This is an average result due to the fact that the processor here is a dual-core Core i5, and not a quad-core Core i7, as is the case with the 15-inch MacBook Pro Retina. It is also curious that the 13-inch MacBook Pro Retina lost to the 15-inch model not only in processor performance, but also in memory bandwidth.
In the complex free Novabench benchmark, the picture, on the whole, repeated itself. Here is the result from the 13-inch MacBook Pro Retina:
And here is the 15-inch MacBook Pro Retina:
As you can see, the performance of the graphics subsystem suffered especially in the 13-inch model. Not surprisingly, though, the 13-inch MacBook Pro Retina uses Intel GMA HD 4000 integrated graphics, while the 15-inch model uses the latest generation NVIDIA discrete graphics (Kepler).
The next benchmark is Cinebench 11.5. And here the picture repeated itself: the 15-inch model is fundamentally ahead of the 13-inch.
What does this mean? First of all, the fact that you won't be able to play some really demanding 3D games on a 13-inch MacBook Pro Retina. Or the games will not run as smoothly as we would like. However, games from the Mac App Store usually warn about this. For example, here is the Call of Duty: Black Ops game page, which clearly states that it is not recommended to play it on the 2012 13-inch MacBook Pro.
However, the Retina-optimized Real Racing 2 ran smoothly on the 13-inch model.
Note that there are very few games in the list of Mac App Store programs optimized for the Retina display (less than a dozen!), So the MacBook Pro Retina (especially younger models) is hardly worth considering as a gaming platform.
But for normal work (in office applications, browser, GIMP, Coda HTML package), the performance of the 13-inch MacBook Pro Retina is quite enough. At least, we have never encountered any slowdowns or other manifestations of a lack of performance. True, we did not run, say, Final Cut or similar professional resource-intensive packages. But obviously, serious video editing is best done on a 15-inch MacBook Pro with a discrete graphics accelerator.
Software
The laptop comes with OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion pre-installed.
We will not talk about the operating system itself, as well as the set of pre-installed applications, since we have already written about this, but we will focus on the next question: how well do third-party programs work on the MacBook Pro Retina?
In an article about the 15-inch MacBook Pro Retina, we noted that perhaps the main drawback of this model is the insufficient number of applications optimized for the new screen. I must say that the problem has not yet been resolved. In particular, a key suite like Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac still lacks Retina display optimization and looks terrible on MacBooks. Not only are all the icons in "ladders". Even the text that you type in Word suffers from these "ladders". People with good eyesight are guaranteed not to be able to work in this package.
The most curious thing is that there is no such problem in OpenOffice. Of course, the interface there is also not optimized for Retina, but the text is displayed perfectly correctly and smoothly. Therefore, we used OpenOffice in the process of testing the MacBook. Apple offers its own iWork office suite (which includes Pages text editor, Numbers spreadsheet editor, and Keynote presentation editor). Of course, iWork is fully optimized for Retina resolution, but note that its compatibility with Microsoft Office (especially in terms of complex formatting and multimedia presentations) is far from ideal.
In general, practice has shown that we spend the vast majority of time in pre-installed applications, in which, as you might guess, everything is in order with the resolution. I have been using the MacBook Pro Retina for a month, working on it as on my main computer, and, in principle, with the exception of the problem with Microsoft Office, I have not encountered any similar situations. I could easily survive the lack of permission in the Cyberduck FTP client and Transmission torrent client, since I didn't have to look at these programs all the time. Image Tricks (pictured below) was more difficult, but I used GIMP instead.
But the site code in the Coda 2 package was pleasing to the eye.
Sites looked great in Safari and even better than the 15 "Retina because the 13" has a smaller screen and resolution, so artifacts on bitmap graphics are less conspicuous.
However, we noticed a strange bug in Safari. Sometimes on an open web page, not very obvious, but still noticeable vertical blue stripes appeared. Of course, this does not particularly spoil the impression, but it would be wrong not to note this fact. Apparently, this is a consequence of the unoptimized HTML layout for such a high resolution and dots per inch density. It is clear that this is not Apple's fault, the layout can be tweaked, and sooner or later all sites will be optimized for laptop displays of Retina class, but for now the user must be ready for such nuances when working.
Let's note one more specific feature of MacBook Pro Retina: in Preview all pictures look very small. Because, say, if your image has a resolution of 1000 pixels on the wide side, then on a regular MacBook Pro it will take up most of the screen, and on a MacBook Pro Retina it will take much less than half of the total area. However, it is quite possible to get used to this feature.
In general, the main question here is what exactly are you doing on your laptop. If you spend 90% of your working time in office suites and at the same time can put up with replacing Microsoft Office with Pages, Numbers and Keynote, or with free OpenOffice, then you are unlikely to face any difficulties and inconveniences. Still, the situation with third-party software for OS X still leaves much to be desired in terms of support for Retina display resolutions.
Autonomous work
Apple claims 7 hours of web browsing. We still did not manage to reach this indicator - perhaps due to the fact that we set the screen brightness to about two-thirds of the maximum (and not 50%, as Apple testers did). But, in our opinion, this brightness was the most comfortable for work, 50% is still not enough. Therefore, it is worth focusing on six hours of work. On the one hand, this is not very much. But on the other hand, if a laptop is capable of six hours of continuous operation, this means that you can safely take it in the morning without a charger, write texts in transport, browse websites in a cafe, show a presentation or diagrams at a meeting, return home and more. surf the internet a bit before bed. As practice shows, in the process of active movement around the city it rarely happens that you work continuously for any length of time, so in total it turns out that six hours a day, full of meetings and movements, is more than enough for you. It's just worth noting one nuance: in sleep mode (with the lid closed), the MacBook also loses its charge - albeit quite a bit (four percent per night), but still more than the iPad. This, however, is close to Apple's stated data, according to which the MacBook Pro Retina can be in sleep mode for one month.
Also, while using the MacBook Pro, it was noticed that the percentage of the remaining charge was displayed incorrectly: in the first hour, the MacBook was discharged, judging by the indicator, by only 3%, but over the next five hours it lost the remaining 97%. Although, I must say thank you, it did not turn off before the number 0 appeared on the charge indicator.
It takes just over two hours to fully charge the MacBook Pro Retina battery, which is pretty good.
conclusions
Apple has released a worthy follow-up to the MacBook Pro Retina line, the highly anticipated 13-inch model. In the lower configuration, it is as much as $ 500 cheaper than the 15-inch model. If you equip a regular 13-inch MacBook Pro with the same components as the Retina model (that is, a 128 GB SSD instead of a 500 GB HDD and 8 GB of RAM instead of 4 GB), then the price difference between Retina and non-Retina will be only $ 200. More than a modest surcharge for a brilliant 2560 × 1600 IPS display! In addition, the MacBook Pro Retina is thinner and lighter than the “regular” MacBook Pro, and lighter than the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display.
Together, this makes the 13-inch MacBook Pro Retina the perfect laptop for travel and everyday mobile use. True, you will have to come to terms with some problems with third-party software (in particular, Microsoft Office), the almost complete lack of suitable games, as well as with an incorrect display of the battery percentage. But the advantages of the 13-inch MacBook Pro Retina more than compensate for these nuances.
I used the MacBook Pro for a month (before that I worked on both a regular MacBook Pro and a MacBook Air), and based on my subjective experience, I decided that this was the kind of laptop I dreamed of. Quite thin and light, but at the same time with a luxurious screen and a not quite low keyboard (the very low keys confuse me with Air). I don't play games on my laptop and can do without Microsoft Office by replacing it with free OpenOffice, so the MacBook Pro was perfect for me.
The only factor that can stop a potential buyer is price. In Russia, official resellers sell the junior model for about 62,000 rubles. But the "gray" suppliers can be found for 60,000 rubles. However, even this is a lot. True, the MacBook Pro Retina has no direct competitors - other manufacturers have not yet released models with the same screen resolution. However, Ultrabooks with a Full HD display and a similar diagonal are already on sale. For example, ASUS UX32VD in a junior configuration can be bought in a very large chain of stores for about 37,000 rubles. Agree, there is a significant difference. Nobody says that she is not justified. If you look closely, we will see that the MacBook Pro has more RAM and SSD instead of HDD ... But the fact remains: today not everyone is ready to pay 60 thousand for a laptop, no matter how wonderful it is. However, if you really strive for a no-compromise solution, and plan to work with your laptop most of the time, not at home, but on the road, if you carry it around all the time, then the 13-inch MacBook Pro Retina will be your best friend.
The MacBook Pro with 13-inch Retina display undoubtedly earned our Original Design Editorial Award.
Macbook pro 2016 brings together the best laptop qualities you can only dream of. Let's review the model that made a splash in the Apple gadgets market - macbook pro 2016, and describe its characteristics, functions and features.
Sharpened for everything
Let us remind the most advanced users of the technical characteristics of this gadget, but we will not dwell on their description in detail. MacBook Pro 2016 has the following characteristics:
- dual-core or quad-core Intel Core i5, i7;
- SSD-drive with a capacity of 256 gigabytes;
- 8 or 16 gigabytes of internal memory;
- 13 or 15 inch screen;
- built-in Toch Bar and Toch ID technologies;
- discrete Intel Iris GPU or Radeon Pro $
- up to 10 hours of work without recharging the battery;
- improved keyboard and larger touchpad;
- up to 4 x Thunderbold ports;
- operating system Mac OC;
- very overall dimensions: the body is light and thin;
- intel Skylake-U Premium PCH motherboard.
About 2016: any your ideas
Thanks to such a "tasty filling", this model is able to help you in the embodiment of any of your ideas. Like any other MacBook, it will excel in everyday tasks:
- typing and editing documents of any complexity;
- work with videos, music and pictures:
- safe surfing on the Internet;
- games in modern computer novelties;
- connecting various devices, working with each of them, even on solving one problem .;
- classes in video editing and 3D graphics.
Not standard, but no less useful functions
Now, with the Toch Bar, you have all the tools you use on a daily basis at your fingertips - control the volume and brightness of the screen, control your video and audio files, enter text and many more.
And also, you can always answer calls coming to the IPhone without even moving the cursor. And that's not all: using this panel, you can always have quick access to all your accounts. These features of the Macbook pro 2016 with touch bar will save you a lot of time.
Macbook pro 13 retina 2016 and its characteristics indicate other important "goodies" for the user. This is its graphics processing speed, which it achieves due to the built-in powerful GPU. This means that your video editing, 3D graphics, or just your hobby for modern computer games for macbook is a doable and familiar task.
In addition, the MacBook 2016, thanks to the Mac OS operating system and the presence of high-speed ports, can be used as a portable workstation: through the OS it has the ability to synchronize with other Apple devices, and you can also connect several other devices to it that will work smoothly and "without glitches".
It makes no sense to compare the two MacBook Airs with each other - their characteristics differ only slightly. It is clear that the 13.3-inch model is slightly better, but this difference will hardly be noticeable by eye. Moreover, with a custom configuration made to order, you can achieve identical characteristics of both laptops.
If we evaluate the new MacBook Air in comparison with mobile computers based on the Windows system, then in terms of performance they will probably even be better than the main competitors (for example, the Samsung 900X3A). The processors used by Apple are the fastest in the current family of Intel mobile chips with a heat dissipation rate of 17 W.
The amount of RAM has grown noticeably. A year ago, Apple for some reason decided to save money and equipped the standard modifications of the MacBook Air with only two gigabytes of RAM. Now all but the cheapest 11.6-inch model are equipped with twice the volume. It is also the maximum. In the MacBook Pro, recall, you can install up to 8 gigabytes of RAM.
The rather successful and good built-in Intel HD Graphics 3000 accelerator is quite capable of satisfying the needs of the MacBook Air owner, although it is still somewhat weaker than the previous NVIDIA GeForce 320M. But the latter had to be abandoned in order to be able to install new processors.
On the SSD side, there have been almost no changes. The main thing was done a year ago, when Apple basically stopped installing hard drives in the MacBook Air. The only small change is that the 11.6-inch model has an optional 256GB solid state drive.
Most of the connectivity hasn't changed. The MacBook Air still relies on an 802.11a / b / g / n Wi-Fi controller and Bluetooth interface. The latter was updated from version 2.1 to 4.0, bypassing 3.0, which is gradually spreading among many laptops and other mobile devices. The main difference between Bluetooth 4.0 and version 3.0 is the new profile that provides lower power consumption.
The dimensions of the updated "airs" remained the same, but the weight increased slightly - by about 40 grams for the 11.6-inch and by 20 grams for the 13.3-inch. However, the latter circumstance has not yet changed the status of the MacBook Air as one of the lightest laptops on the market.
Contents of delivery
The packaging for the new MacBook Air is even thinner than before. Now in the box, besides the computer itself, there are only a user's manual and a power supply.
Apple currently offers MacBook Pro with two screen sizes of 13 and 15 inches. They differ not only in display size, but also in weight, number of ports and technical characteristics. Which MacBook Pro is right for you?
MacBook Pro line
If you're only interested in the “Pro” model, excluding the 12-inch MacBook and the now-dated 13-inch MacBook Air, you have a variety of options. Especially when you consider that the Apple assortment also includes last year's "proshka".
Size and weight
As the size of the display increases, so does the weight of the laptop. With two extra inches, the size of the device is added, so the 15-inch model requires significantly more space and is heavier to carry. The 13-inch MacBook Pro weighs 1.37 kg, while the 15-inch weighs 1.83 kg. At first glance, the difference may seem insignificant, but if you carry your computer all day with you, then you will definitely feel the additional half a kilogram.
If portability comes first, go for the 13-inch Pro, for performance in the 15-inch.
Display
The MacBook Pro was the first MacBook to come with a Retina display, or, as Apple says, a screen with enough dots per inch that you don't see individual pixels. Whichever you choose, you get a great Retina display. The screen resolution will differ.
The 13-inch model is equipped with a screen with an aspect ratio of 16:10, a resolution of 2560x1600 pixels (227 ppi). The 15-inch MacBook Pro has a resolution of 2560x1800 pixels and a density of 220 ppi.
More screen area means more visible content. In addition, at 15 inches, the elements will be larger by themselves, which is important for people with low vision.
If display size doesn't really matter, save some money and go for the 13-inch version. If you need a bigger screen, the choice is obvious.
External monitors
The MacBook Pro allows you to connect external monitors, but the 13-inch model supports a maximum of two external displays at the same time due to the different bandwidths on the Thunderbolt 3 connectors. You can connect two monitors with a maximum resolution of 4096 × 2304 (4K), or one 5K monitor (5120 × 2880). The 15-inch MacBook Pro works with four 4K displays or two 5K displays.
If support for external monitors is not important to you, then the capabilities of the 13-inch MacBook Pro are enough. If you work with four screens at the same time, you should take a closer look at the older model.
Processors
Both 2016 MacBook Pros have Intel Skylake processors. The most affordable model without the Touch Bar runs on an Intel Core i5 at 2GHz or an Intel Core i7 at 2.4GHz. The Touch Bar model offers a Core i5 at 2.9 GHz or a Core i7 at 3.3 GHz.
In the case of the 15-inch MacBook Pro, you can choose between a 2.6 GHz, 2.7 GHz, or 2.9 GHz Intel Core i7.
If power is not the main factor for you, do not overpay, it is better to choose a simpler model. If you are a professional video editor or need high performance for other purposes, it is better to take the 15-inch MacBook Pro.
Graphic arts
The GPU is responsible for rendering the pixels. This process includes everything from the macOS interface to video games. The more powerful the video card, the more pixels it can handle. This means there will be smoother animations and more realistic 3D rendering.
The 2016 MacBook Pro without Touch Bar is equipped with Intel Graphics 540 and the touchbar version is Intel Graphics 550. The more expensive versions of the 13-inch MacBook Pro also received AMD Radeon 450 with 2GB GDDR5 and Radeon 460 with 4GB HDDR5. The 15-inch MacBook, in addition to an integrated video card, also has a discrete one - Radeon Pro 455 with 2 GB GDDR5 or Radeon Pro 460 with 4 GB GDDR5.
If the need for a powerful graphics subsystem is not, you should pay attention to the younger version of the MacBook Pro. If you need powerful discrete graphics, the 15-inch MacBook Pro is your best bet.
Autonomy
All versions of the MacBook Pro, according to Apple, provide up to 10 hours of battery life when browsing the web or playing music via iTunes, or 30 days in standby mode. These indicators relate to basic models, so the more powerful the iron, the more it will consume energy.
All new MacBook models perform roughly the same per charge, but keep in mind that powerful hardware always needs more power.
RAM
The amount of RAM determines how many applications you can keep open, as well as how large projects will be in photo and video editing programs without resorting to a slower storage device.
The base laptop model without a touchpad has 8 GB LPDR3 RAM at 1866 MHz, but there is an option with 16 GB, the same goes for the model with a touchbar, only the frequency is 2133 MHz. The 15-inch MacBook Pro is equipped with 16GB of RAM at 2133MHz.
If you don't need a lot of RAM, check out the 13-inch MacBook Pro. All MacBook Pros currently have a maximum RAM capacity of 16GB.
Vault
In the past, storage devices consisted of large, noisy hard disk platters that spun and did not respond well to shock or power problems. Virtually all drives are now solid-state - flash chips with no moving parts. They are more expensive, but they are faster and more reliable.
All 2016 MacBook Pro models come with 256GB of flash storage as standard. The 13 "version has a maximum capacity of 1 TB, while the 15" version has a maximum capacity of 2 TB.
If even 1TB of storage isn't enough for you, then the top-of-the-range 15-inch MacBook Pro is fine.
Ports
The simplest MacBook Pro without a touchbar has only two USB-C ports, while the touchbar variants have four USB-C ports each, although the 13-inch MacBook Pro does not have the connectors on the right side as fast as possible. Therefore, if you want all 4 ports with maximum performance, it is better to take a top-end MacBook.
Who will fit the 13-inch MacBook Pro 2016?
If you value portability more than performance, don't worry about a poor processor and poor graphics, you don't need to connect many external monitors - go for the 13-inch model.
Who is the 2016 MacBook Pro 15 "for?
If you want top-end performance, a large screen, the ability to connect four external monitors, more memory, a faster processor and powerful graphics, then the 15-inch MacBook Pro is your choice.
What to write about in the MacBook Pro 13 2018 review, which costs a quarter of a million rubles in the top? It is clear that the machine is brutal and very productive. It also automatically raises your social status, causing the envy of everyone around you. However, if you dig deeper, you can find a second, third and even fourth bottom. This is what we'll talk about today.
We will study the new MacBook Pro 13 in the classics - we will start with the screen, finish with autonomy. Along the way, I will talk about the nuances of operation and emotions that every node of the laptop evokes in abundance. Go!
Display
The frames around the screen are far from minimal, as, for example, in. Nevertheless, they do not annoy at all, do not distract from the content. Especially if you put a black wallpaper, which will smoothly "flow" to the borders of the display. With the release of the new macOS Mojave and the dark theme, the display will definitely sparkle in a new way.
By the way, black looks very natural. Almost like an OLED matrix.
In general, screens in Macs are always perfectly calibrated for professional processing of images, video and more. You buy any Mac, well, except, perhaps, by default, you get a top-end display. Great help for those who know nothing about color profiles but want uncompromising picture quality.
- support for P3 color gamut (25% more than sRGB)
- brightness 500 nits
- dot density 227 ppi
By the way, screens in 2018 MacBooks received proprietary True Tone technology. Exactly the same as on and. Now the picture adjusts automatically to any lighting. The trick has one general rule - the image is always in warm colors, which is certainly very pleasing to the eye.
If anything, the feature can always be turned off in the settings in order, for example, to evaluate the image as it is.
Design
Thin. Easy. Metal.
Perhaps this is all there is to know about a laptop. No emotion, just facts.
The hinge of the top cover gives the impression of a very reliable mechanism. The screen opens approximately 135 degrees. This is enough for comfortable work both at the table and on your lap. Moreover, even on a sofa, in a reclining position on a poppy, it is convenient to work.
The metal in the case is very pleasant and practical. And all because this material perfectly removes heat, even without taking into account active cooling by coolers.
But there is also a minus. More precisely, even two.
The first is working at a computer in hours. As a rule, wrist watches are equipped with either a metal bracelet or a strap with a metal clasp. When typing on the built-in keyboard, you place your hand on an empty area next to the touchpad, and the clasp can scratch the case. There are two ways out: remove the watch or glue some kind of sticker in this place. Or try to work carefully, moving the watch higher on the forearm.
The second nuance is the sharp corners of the case. When working with a laptop on your knees or in another non-standard position, this is felt especially strongly - the edges literally dig into the flesh. Of course, there is no pain, but slightly unpleasant sensations are present. What to do? Endure, get used to.
Now about emotions.
At first, you enjoy every opportunity to work on your MacBook Pro. Tactile sensations make you smile silly, and your ears move from any touch of this typewriter. Literally every element of the case is well thought out and pleasant to the touch. The metal is matte, the perforations for the speakers are very fine and neat, the surface of the Touch Bar is perfectly smooth and leaves no prints. High!
After some time, you get used to all these joys, and your perception becomes dull. But working on some other laptop on Windows after the poppy is downright physical pain. Yes, perhaps I am exaggerating. But I'm sure everyone will experience something similar to one degree or another, first working on a MacBook Pro, and then on a regular "pussy".
Ports. Yes, there are few of them.
There are 4 USB C ports, each of which supports Thunderbolt 3. However, this is true only for the model with the Touch Bar. The non-panel predecessor only has two Thunderbolt 3 ports.
The connector can transfer data at speeds up to 40 Gbps, charge devices, connect external 5K monitors or eGPU video cards, and much more. All this, of course, is very cool. And that's why they cut out the slot for the SD memory card, but did not touch the audio output on the headphones - only Johnny Ive knows.
For everything else, there are adapters, the park of which has expanded very seriously since 2016. You can use the correct and expensive accessories from Apple or partners, or you can find alternative adapters that are worthy in terms of quality and price. You just don't need to panic, but approach the issue with a cool head.
Personally, I used non-original accessories and everything worked great.
I was especially pleased with the ability to connect the charger to any port and from any side - it's cool.
It happens that the socket is on your left, and it happens that it is on the other side. But in this case, you don't care. Especially with the included adapter, the cable of which is unexpectedly long - 2 meters.
How was it before? The charging LED was located on the MagSafe plug itself. It is very convenient. Now it is impossible to find out if the poppy is charged without looking at the display. I would like Apple engineers to drill a hole somewhere and insert an LED indicator into it. Such a seemingly trifle, which for some reason was neglected.
Butterfly number 3
With the 2018 MacBook Pro line, we can try the third generation of the butterfly keyboard for the first time.
As you know, the first and even the second generation did not come out as successful as we would like. Over time, the keys would break down and stick. Apple went to meet users and expanded the terms of the warranty. Anyone who owns computers with a butterfly keyboard will receive an official warranty repair in case of confirmation of a manufacturing defect.
In the third generation "butterflies" eliminated all children's sores, along the way, reducing the noise level from typing.
The key travel of the new keyboard is extremely minimal. Those who have been sitting on old laptops of the company for a long time will have to get used to. It took me about two days to adapt to the new "clave" and a couple of reviews of 10 thousand characters.
The keyboard cannot be called silent. It still knocks, even if you type on it carefully, without much enthusiasm. However, in any case, there are characters who will hammer on the buttons with a fair amount of zeal. There are such in any edition, they enrage everyone. And buying a new firmware for him in 2018 will not solve the situation. Better to fire.
Touch bar
Last year, the user had a choice: buy a MacBook Pro 13 with Touch Bar or take a model with buttons, while saving 15-20 thousand rubles. However, in the 2018 lineup, this possibility is no longer - if you take it, then only with the Touch Bar. True, the previous 13-scale without a touch panel is still on sale.
In general, the Touch Bar is a cool and useful thing.
Maybe in 2016, when the first release of this option took place, the panel was not really needed. She worked either in Apple branded applications, or in key applications from partners. Today, almost every second self-respecting developer has added Touch Bar functionality to their products.
It is extremely convenient when in specialized applications like Photoshop or Pixelmator Pro some of the tools are displayed on the Touch Bar. I'm used to hotkeys, so editing images using both the keyboard and the touchpad is even more convenient than before.
The emoji strip is a separate delight. As soon as you switch to any chat, the Touch Bar immediately displays the usual set of faces.
Moreover, this works not only in stock applications like Messages. Smilies pop up even when you launch the Telegram desktop client or VK messages. Very cool!
Some forms on websites (via Safari) provide access to autocomplete. For example, in the field for entering a phone number, the Touch Bar immediately displays previously filled numbers - all you need to do is poke at the desired number once. Super!
And the final touch Bar, perhaps the coolest, is the Touch ID fingerprint scanner. Unlocking your computer after sleep, buying directly in the browser - everything goes quickly and without questions. Just like on smartphones. It's a pity that not every time you can enter the system by fingerprint, sometimes the system asks for the password from Apple ID for additional confirmation.
Safety
The new Macs put a special emphasis on safety. A separate Apple T2 chip with a built-in Secure Enclave coprocessor is responsible for processing the Apple ID account, encrypting and accessing data, including even the system core. Literally all system operations pass through it, and especially when it comes to loading the OS itself. Even before its launch, a separate check is made whether the kernel is compromised and whether there is no malicious code in the system. Moreover, this also applies to macOS, and even Windows installed via Boot Camp.
Sound
The laptop is equipped with two external speakers. Accordingly, there is an excellent stereo effect.
But the main thing is the sound quality and volume. Both of these parameters are at the highest possible level for a laptop.
The sound of the MacBook Pro 13 is so loud that if you watch a movie at close range (about a meter), then in action scenes, the speakers deafen you. It becomes uncomfortable and the hand reaches to turn down the volume.
However, at its peak, quality can suffer. Explosions and bachs lack low frequencies, and the midrange whistles unpleasantly. It is better to set the volume to 90%, then the sound is transformed and becomes comfortable. From all sides.
Balancing performance and compactness
I've always thought the MacBook Pro 13 was a compromise. On the one hand, it is compact, but still not as small as the MacBook Air and even more so the MacBook 12. On the other hand, it is not powerful enough to qualify for solving really adult tasks. For this, it is better to buy a 15-inch firmware right away.
After testing the MacBook Pro 13, I realized that this is not a compromise, but rather a balance. A computer that balances mobility and power.
Here are some numbers to be sure of this:
- only 1.49 cm thick
- weight 1.39 kg
And this subtle miracle is powered by a 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5 processor in the base and a 2.7 GHz Core i7 in the top. To use the word "compromise" next to such specs is at least inappropriate.
MacBook Pro 13 2018 Specifications
We figured out the nuances of use. It's time to evaluate the stuffing of our beast.
- 8th generation processor to choose from: Intel Core i5 (i5-8259U) 2.3GHz (Turbo Bust up to 3.8GHz), 128MB eDRAM built-in 14nm process technology or Intel Core i7 ( i7-8559U model), 2.7 - 4.5 GHz, eDRAM 128 MB, 14 nm
- intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 (up to 1200 MHz, 9.5th generation)
- 8 or 16 GB LPDDR3 2133 MHz
- 256 GB or 512 GB, and custom configurations in 1 or 2 TB SSD
- ports: 3.5mm audio out and 4x USB C 3.1 (two with Thunderbolt 3 support)
- networks: Wi-Fi (802.11 ac), Bluetooth 5.0
- 720p FaceTime webcam
- sound: two external speakers, three microphones
- OS at the time of release - macOS High Sierra
- 58 W * h battery (standard 61 W USB C power supply)
- dimensions: 30.41 x 21.24 x 1.49 cm
- weight 1.37 kg
It's worth mentioning that the 15-inch model at the top is even more powerful. As a chipset, you can install an Intel Core i9 with six cores, and the amount of RAM can reach as much as 32 GB of LPDDR4 standard. However, the price tag in this case should be expected at the level of ... 500,000 rubles!
What can he do?
I must say right away that I had the maximum configuration of a 13-inch poppy on my test. Under the hood was the following:
- Core i7 2.7 GHz (i7-8559U model)
- 16GB LPDDR3 2133GHz
- 2TB SSD with write speeds up to 2.6Gbps
Due to all this goodness, the new machine is twice as fast as the previous generation of 2017. Accordingly, encoding video, compiling code, running 3D models - all this will happen faster.
The base model differs by the processor (Core i5-8259U installed) and the amount of memory (RAM and storage).
However, we will still test the top-end configuration. At the same time, we will figure out where this compact beast has a ceiling.
Games?
Well, why not!
As it turned out, even the integrated graphics in the form of Intel Iris 655 are capable of pulling out some not very productive games.
For example, my configuration handled Counter-Strike: Global Offensive with no problems at high graphics settings and at a resolution of 1680 x 1050. The frame rate jumped in the range of 40-70 FPS. The only BUT - the native resolution of the display is much higher, and therefore the picture looks indistinct - it takes some getting used to. If you set a higher resolution - 2048 x 1280 pixels, then the graphics will improve, but the frequency drops to not very comfortable 20-40 FPS.
Older toys feel better on this Mac as expected. Left 4 Dead opened without any problems in stock resolution, however, the graphics settings had to be lowered to medium. Otherwise, there were unpleasant drawdowns at the moment when a dozen of three zombies ran out at you.
With regard to games, there is only one caveat. For example, in CS: GO, the body in the Touch Bar area warmed up to 41 degrees, and in Left 4 Dead as much as 43 degrees. Of course, the coolers worked at their limit.
As for the speed of work in specialized applications, then for this data I refer you to the official Apple website. There are tons of graphs for every professional application.
Autonomy
A full charge from the included 61W power supply takes exactly 2 hours. In half an hour, the laptop is recharged by 35%, which is enough for a couple of hours of battery life in any case. In one hour, the computer has already gained 63% - you can move out of the house and count on at least 4-5 hours of productive work.
As with most Apple laptops, Safari is better for browsing. Google Chrome is a good alternative, but only when the Mac is plugged into an outlet. Even with one hanging tab, the browser starts to load the processor for no reason, respectively, the coolers turn on for additional cooling and the power consumption increases.
Is one charge of MacBook Pro enough for a day of productive work? And how! Most likely, even two. As an example, my real-life use case:
- 2 hours watching Full HD video in VLC
- 2 hours of surfing the net with Safari
- 2 hours of work in Pages
And after all this, about 15% of the charge remains.
For some reason, watching a video ate the battery charge most. Perhaps the VLC player is not suitable for saving power and it is better to use the stock QuickTime or iTunes, as Apple recommends. In any case, if you remove multimedia entertainment from the equation, you can count on at least 8 hours of work in the browser and with documents. At the same time, the official data is 10 hours of autonomy.
Another indicator. For the week unused in sleep mode, the Mac spent only 10%. At the same time, the Power Nap function was enabled in the settings, which is responsible for checking for new messages and notifications right in a dream.
Accessories
For new laptops, Apple has shown its own genuine leather cases. They are thin, light, thoughtful and ... expensive. Each costs 14,990 rubles.
The thing, of course, is good, and if you have several hundred thousand for a computer, then there is also a dozen and a half for a case.
However, I personally did not understand their special purpose. My laptop was either on the table at home, or I carried it with me in a special compartment of my backpack. The inside of the laptop is perfectly protected from external influences and scratches. Therefore, personally, I do not see much sense in the original and in general in any case for the MacBook Pro 13.
"What's so expensive ?!"
I have not found a test configuration of the MacBook Pro 13 on the official Russian Apple website. But it was on the American page, where with the help of the configurator it was possible to find out its cost - 3 699 dollars or 245 thousand rubles. Taking into account Russian taxes and duties, the final price should be expected in the region of three hundred or even a little more than a thousand rubles.
Is this a lot? I think you already know the answer without me. However, if you buy such a MacBook Pro 13, then you probably clearly know why you need it. Besides, it is not for nothing that the name contains the prefix "Pro". She seems to be hinting that the device is not intended for sitting in your pants "in contact" and watching "YouTube".
For all this, there are more affordable options. Both for the price and for the needs. If you want a compact, the same stylish and cool Mac - take the MacBook 12 for 80 thousand. If you need it cheaper - buy a MacBook Air for plus or minus 55 thousand. If it seems that this too is expensive, then it is worth stopping by an electronics store and refreshing your idea of \u200b\u200bthe current prices for laptops.
Hence the simple answer. The MacBook Pro 13 is not a laptop for everyone. However, those who really need it will be delighted with the new generation.
Outcome
The MacBook Pro 13 2018 review is best done with a simple and specific conclusion. The new 13-shka is an extremely pleasant machine, no matter how you look at it. Thoughtful design, powerful filling, convenient macOS and a bunch of nice bonuses like Touch Bar, chic keyboard, excellent sound and top screen.
The maximum configuration that I had on the review will suit an extremely limited number of users. For everyone else, there are standard and about that, modifications are cheaper, they are not qualitatively different from the top ones.
However, the main thing here is not the processor model or screen resolution, but something completely different - emotions, comfort and impressions.
The MacBook Pro, so to speak, motivates you. He inspires to work, create, create, learn, earn more in the end.
For example, what can you get inspired by an ordinary plastic Windows laptop with a bunch of ugly "Intel", "GeForce" stickers, disgusting build quality and the cheapest body materials? To download torrents and watch the final season of Supernatural? Perhaps this is his ceiling.
The MacBook Pro is completely different. I'm sure Mac owners will immediately understand what this is about. Try to understand you too.
You put a brand new Mac on your computer desk, bought in the early 2000s, look around and realize that you can't live like that anymore. Neither yourself nor your image matches this computer. And the latter kind of whispers to you: “Come on. Start living better. We can do this!".
And the first thing you want to do is replace the table for a brand new MacBook with a more modern and stylish one. Further, you see that the updated workplace never fits into the interior. You need to re-glue the wallpaper, and it is best to make repairs in the whole room at once.
Then you catch yourself thinking that you cannot stop, you want more. You need to develop a regime and follow it unquestioningly, stop eating all sorts of rubbish, start eating normally, find a good and decently paid job, visit, for example, Bruges before the end of the year, and not go to Antalya for the 17th time.
Is it worth 100 thousand rubles, 150 or even more? I think yes.
And by the way, such a device can also be taken on credit, because it will not become obsolete in a year or even two. This is a serious tool, a kind of machine, on which you create not only something new for the world, you yourself become better, you develop, you create yourself. And this is great!
