MacBook, MacBook Air or MacBook Pro? We are thinking about what to choose. MacBook Air is no longer the same
The line of compact MacBook laptops continues with the 2016 model. The devices are equipped with a more powerful “filling” and for the first time are available in “ pink gold" The laptop weighs 900 g and is 13.1 mm thick. Apple calls it “the future of all laptops.” What strengths The 12-inch MacBook and why many users may prefer MacBook Air, later in our article.
Connectors
The biggest disappointment with the MacBook may be the number of ports on the device - one USB-C and one 3.5mm audio jack. Via USB-C it is proposed to either charge the laptop or connect peripherals. Obviously, the MacBook is intended exclusively for wireless operation. If you fully charge your laptop and connect it to Wi-Fi, and save files either on your computer or in the cloud, you can work with it. But if, for example, while working with a file on your hard drive or playing a movie connected to a TV via hdmi laptop will run out, you will have to turn it off external device before recharging.
MacBook Air is more practical in this regard. In addition to the audio jack, the 13-inch model has two USB 3.0 ports, one Thunderbolt 2, an SDXC card slot and a convenient MagSafe 2 magnetic connector.
Performance
In the GeekBench test, the new MacBook scores 2360 and 4500 in single-core and multi-core modes, respectively. In the first mode, the chip is 10% faster than the processor in the previous generation MacBook. However, it is 10% slower than the 11-inch MacBook Air. In a test designed for multi-core processors, the difference between MacBooks was 12% in favor of the 2016 model. But the MacBook Air was faster again - by 13%.
In the Cinebench GL benchmark, the 2016 MacBook graphics card performs almost one and a half times better than last year's model. Basic models MacBook Air and MacBook Pro However, she lost the 2015 model.
Display size
The dimensions of the new MacBook are no different from last year's model - 28 x 19.6 cm. It is still the most compact Apple laptop- the lightest MacBook Air weighs 1.08 kilograms. 12" Retina display has a resolution of 2304 x 1440 pixels, for MacBook Air screen got the typical 1440 x 900 pixels. However, a difference of 1 inch - 13 versus 12 inches - is quite significant. The MacBook Air user gets a larger screen, although not as clear as that of its “rival”.
Svetoyabloko
The Apple logo on the lid of the 12-inch does not glow, as we are already accustomed to, but iPhone type and the iPad is made of polished stainless steel. The company first began using a similar insert in the form of its brand name in smartphones and tablets. According to most users, this is an unfortunate loss for Apple laptops.
Price
Basic cost MacBook models 2016 is 107,000 rubles. For this money, the user gets a compact, portable laptop with an ultra-sharp screen and the power needed to solve problems on the go. However, in terms of performance and functionality, the MacBook loses to the MacBook Air, the prices of which in Russia are significantly lower - from 70 to 92 thousand rubles. You just have to sacrifice compactness and screen resolution.
For the same 107,000 rubles you can even buy a much more productive 13-inch MacBook Pro with a Retina screen and processor Intel Core i5 with a frequency of 2.7 GHz.
conclusions
The main advantages of the 12-inch MacBook are: price category in comparison with other Apple laptops - compactness, Retina screen, long battery life and exclusivity, in particular pink color. Among the disadvantages are more low performance and lower performance in solving complex problems, limited to one USB-C port and a relatively high price. Accordingly, you'll have to decide whether it makes sense to pay a premium price for design and portability.
Fair, not overpriced and not underestimated. There should be prices on the Service website. Necessarily! without asterisks, clear and detailed, where technically possible - as accurate and concise as possible.
If spare parts are available, up to 85% of complex repairs can be completed in 1-2 days. Modular repairs require much less time. The website shows the approximate duration of any repair.
Warranty and responsibility
A guarantee must be given for any repairs. Everything is described on the website and in the documents. The guarantee is self-confidence and respect for you. A 3-6 month warranty is good and sufficient. It is needed to check quality and hidden defects that cannot be detected immediately. You see honest and realistic terms (not 3 years), you can be sure that they will help you.
Half the success in Apple repair is the quality and reliability of spare parts, so a good service works with suppliers directly, there are always several reliable channels and its own warehouse with proven spare parts current models so that you don't have to waste extra time.
Free diagnostics
This is very important and has already become a rule good manners For service center. Diagnosis is the most difficult and an important part repair, but you do not have to pay a penny for it, even if you do not repair the device as a result of it.
Service repairs and delivery
Good service values your time, so he offers free shipping. And for the same reason, repairs are carried out only in the workshop of a service center: they can be done correctly and according to technology only in a prepared place.
Convenient schedule
If the Service works for you, and not for itself, then it is always open! absolutely. The schedule should be convenient to fit in before and after work. Good service works on weekends and holidays. We are waiting for you and working on your devices every day: 9:00 - 21:00
The reputation of professionals consists of several points
Company age and experience
Reliable and experienced service has been known for a long time.
If a company has been on the market for many years and has managed to establish itself as an expert, people turn to it, write about it, and recommend it. We know what we are talking about, since 98% of incoming devices in the service center are restored.
Other service centers trust us and refer complex cases to us.
How many masters in areas
If there are always several engineers waiting for you for each type of equipment, you can be sure:
1. there will be no queue (or it will be minimal) - your device will be taken care of right away.
2. you give to Macbook repair an expert in the field of Mac repairs. He knows all the secrets of these devices
Technical literacy
If you ask a question, a specialist should answer it as accurately as possible.
So that you can imagine what exactly you need.
They will try to solve the problem. In most cases, from the description you can understand what happened and how to fix the problem.
Fair, not overpriced and not underestimated. There should be prices on the Service website. Necessarily! without asterisks, clear and detailed, where technically possible - as accurate and concise as possible.
If spare parts are available, up to 85% of complex repairs can be completed in 1-2 days. Modular repairs require much less time. The website shows the approximate duration of any repair.
Warranty and responsibility
A guarantee must be given for any repairs. Everything is described on the website and in the documents. The guarantee is self-confidence and respect for you. A 3-6 month warranty is good and sufficient. It is needed to check quality and hidden defects that cannot be detected immediately. You see honest and realistic terms (not 3 years), you can be sure that they will help you.
Half the success in Apple repair is the quality and reliability of spare parts, so a good service works with suppliers directly, there are always several reliable channels and your own warehouse with proven spare parts for current models, so you don’t have to waste extra time.
Free diagnostics
This is very important and has already become a rule of good manners for the service center. Diagnostics is the most difficult and important part of the repair, but you don't have to pay a penny for it, even if you don't repair the device based on its results.
Service repairs and delivery
A good service values your time, so it offers free delivery. And for the same reason, repairs are carried out only in the workshop of a service center: they can be done correctly and according to technology only in a prepared place.
Convenient schedule
If the Service works for you, and not for itself, then it is always open! absolutely. The schedule should be convenient to fit in before and after work. Good service works on weekends and holidays. We are waiting for you and working on your devices every day: 9:00 - 21:00
The reputation of professionals consists of several points
Company age and experience
Reliable and experienced service has been known for a long time.
If a company has been on the market for many years and has managed to establish itself as an expert, people turn to it, write about it, and recommend it. We know what we are talking about, since 98% of incoming devices in the service center are restored.
Other service centers trust us and refer complex cases to us.
How many masters in areas
If there are always several engineers waiting for you for each type of equipment, you can be sure:
1. there will be no queue (or it will be minimal) - your device will be taken care of right away.
2. you give your Macbook for repair to an expert in the field of Mac repairs. He knows all the secrets of these devices
Technical literacy
If you ask a question, a specialist should answer it as accurately as possible.
So that you can imagine what exactly you need.
They will try to solve the problem. In most cases, from the description you can understand what happened and how to fix the problem.
On July 27, the Chinese corporation Xiaomi organized a presentation of the first laptop of its own production, Mi Notebook Air. Both the design of the new product, the name, and positioning openly hint at a desire to compete with a similar Apple product. What can we say: the company representatives themselves compared Mi Notebook Air with Apple MacBook Air as an example of the advantages of their product. Therefore, we cannot ignore the similarities between these devices. Which is better, Mi Air or MacBook Air, is it worth buying a Chinese new product? This material is intended to find out.
Apple produces MacBook Air in two sizes, with a 13.3″ and 11.6″ screen. Xiaomi company presented its product also in two versions, with 13.3″ and 12.5″ displays. At the same time, the Chinese themselves showed a slide showing the difference in size between the 13-inch laptop models of Xiaomi and Apple. According to official information, the Chinese laptop is 13% thinner than the American one: 14.8 mm versus 17 mm. The size of the new product is 11% smaller than the MacBook, with the same screen diagonal. The Mi Air weighs 1240 grams - 110 grams less than the MacBook Air.
The younger 12-inch model has case dimensions of 292x202x12.9 mm. Dimensions of Macbook Air with 11″ - 300x192x17 mm. The mass of the “Chinese” is 1070 grams, versus 1080 for the “American”. This means that with comparable dimensions, Mi Notebook Air is 4 mm thinner, and the useful area of its upper part is spent more efficiently. The Chinese were able to increase the screen by almost an inch while maintaining the same lid dimensions.
Conclusion: According to Mi Notebook dimensions Air is better than the MacBook Air, since the older model is more compact, while the younger one offers bigger screen with the same dimensions as the competitor.
Display
The Chinese Mi Notebook Air has a screen with a diagonal of 13.3 or 12.5 inches. Regardless of the version, it is used IPS matrix with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels (FullHD). IN Apple MacBook Air uses TN matrix displays, and their resolution is only 1440x900 or 1366x768 pixels, in 13.3-inch and 11.6-inch versions, respectively. All laptops have glossy screen with large viewing angles and anti-reflective coating. In the case of a Chinese laptop, the space is top panel is used more efficiently, and the thickness of the frames is minimal.
Conclusion: In terms of display characteristics, Mi Notebook Air is better than MacBook Air: it has more a high resolution, best type matrices and minimal frames.
Iron
With Xiaomi, everything is clear with hardware: there are two laptop options. In the case of Apple it is more complicated: within one diagonal there can be several variations hardware. It would be fair to compare those versions of the MacBook Air that are closest in price to the Mi Notebook Air. But in this case, the capabilities of an American laptop will not be presented in at its best. Therefore, for comparison, the specifications of the most current 2016 models, taken from the official Apple website, were selected.
CPU
Mi Notebook Air 13.3″ has a dual-core Intel processor Core i5 6200U, operating at frequencies up to 2.7 GHz. The similarly sized MacBook Air uses a dual-core Intel chip Core i5 with a frequency of up to 2.7 GHz, but it belongs to the previous generation (5000). The exact processor model is not mentioned on the official website. The 12.5-inch Mi Notebook Air is equipped with a dual-core Intel Core M3 processor, frequency up to 2.2 GHz. But the American laptop with a diagonal of 11.6″ is based on the same chip as its older brother in the line.
Conclusion: In terms of processor performance Chinese laptop there should be a little better than the competitor, but the budget version is slightly inferior to its American counterpart.
Video card
The Chinese equipped the older Mi Notebook Air with a discrete graphics card suitable for games, Nvidia GeForce 940MX. The integrated Intel HD 520 GPU handles graphics processing for light tasks. Junior modification Xiaomi discrete graphics does not have, it got an integrated Intel HD 515 chip. MacBook Air of all modifications uses a built-in Intel graphics HD 6000, which is approximately equal in Intel performance HD 515 and 520. At the same time, due to the reduced technical process, the new GPU consumes significantly less energy than the HD 6000.
Conclusion: In terms of graphics, the Mi Notebook Air 13.3″ is much more powerful than the MacBook Air, and the 12.5″ model is approximately equal to its competitor.
RAM
The amount of RAM installed in the Mi Notebook Air 13.3″ is 8 GB. DDR4 chips operating at 2133 MHz are used. The MacBook Air 13.3″ has a RAM capacity of 4 or 8 GB, but DDR3 chips with a frequency of 1600 MHz are installed here. Minor modification Xiaomi laptop has 4 GB of RAM, like the MacBook Air 11.6″. In both cases, the memory belongs to the DDR3 generation, but for Apple its frequency is 1600, and for Xiaomi it is 1866 MHz. In all laptops, the chips are soldered directly to motherboard, so the RAM cannot be expanded.
Conclusion: When comparing Mi Notebook Air and MacBook Air, there is parity in memory capacity, but the Chinese ultrabook has a higher clock frequency RAM.
Persistent memory
The Mi Notebook Air 13 has a 256 GB SSD with an NVME interface. There is also another slot under the cover for installing a second drive with the same interface. The smaller version of the Chinese laptop is equipped with a 128 GB drive, slot for installation second SSD is also present. For Apple MacBook Air, the storage capacity of both versions can be 128 or 256 GB, depending on the model. It does not have a slot for a second disk, but it does have a card reader that allows you to install a 128 or 256 GB flash drive. Yes and external drives no one forbids using it.
Conclusion: In terms of memory capacity out of the box, there is parity, with a slight advantage in favor of Apple (it has a junior version with 256 GB). But Xiaomi has more expansion options. The disadvantages of the Mi Notebook Air include the lack of a card reader.
Autonomy
According to officially announced information, Mi Notebook Air with a 13.3-inch screen should work for 9.5 hours under load. The 12.5″ model should last 2 hours longer under the same conditions. A MacBook Air with a 13.3″ display should last up to 12 hours, but the 11.6″ version is “only” 9 hours. Of course, this is a theory; in reality, the numbers may differ. The older Mi Notebook Air has a 40 Wh battery, and the younger one has a 37 Wh battery. For Apple, these figures are 54 and 38 Wh, respectively. However, it should be remembered that Xiaomi components are more energy efficient (except for discrete graphics in the 13.3″ model). Another advantage of Xiaomi is its support fast charging: up to 50% in half an hour.
Conclusion: In terms of autonomy, the younger model Mi Notebook Air is better than the MacBook Air, but the older model is inferior to its competitor.
Interfaces
Of the interface ports, the older modification of the Mi Notebook Air has a port USB Type C, two familiar USB Type A, HDMI and a headset jack. The younger model has one USB port less. The 13.3″ version of the Apple product is equipped with a MagSafe 2 port for charging, a pair of USB3 Type A, Thunderbolt 2, a 3.5 mm headset jack and an SDXC card reader. The younger version has the same thing, but there is no slot for memory cards. Plus, the “Chinese” has HDMI, but the “American” needs a TB 2 - DP or TB 2 - HDMI adapter to connect to a monitor.
Conclusion: In terms of variety of interfaces, the Chinese laptop loses to its American competitor.
Input and output, multimedia
At the presentation of the Mi Notebook Air, it was said that the laptops are equipped with AKG stereo speakers with a power of 1 and 2 W in the 12- and 13-inch models, respectively. The webcam has a HD resolution of 1 MP. The keyboard is backlit and the touchpad recognizes multi-touch. For Apple laptops, everything is the same.
Conclusion: Apple comparison MacBook Air and Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air showed parity in this category.
Price
The Chinese pleased us by setting prices for their laptops at $750 and $515 for the 13.3-inch and 12.5-inch versions, respectively. In Ukrainian currency this is the equivalent of 18,500 and 12,700 hryvnia, respectively. Considering that intermediaries initially set a significant markup, in the first month of sales the Ukrainian price will be significantly higher. By autumn, the cost of the older version of Mi Notebook Air should stabilize at 20-25 thousand hryvnia (if the exchange rate remains 25 UAH per dollar), and for the 12.5″ model they will ask around 15-17 thousand.
The lowest price for a 13.3″ MacBook Air at the time of writing was 21,400 UAH, for a model with 4/128 GB of RAM/SSD. The version with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB SSD costs from 27,700 hryvnia. An Apple laptop model with an 11.6-inch display will cost from UAH 19,890.
Conclusion: Chinese prices for Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air are more attractive than the cost of MacBook Air. In Ukraine, after the hype subsides, prices for Chinese laptops will be lower than for American ones. Their reduction to an acceptable level (10-20% markup) cannot be avoided, since otherwise the new product will not be able to successfully compete with Apple.
After the presentation of the new MacBook Air, we sat in the studio and wondered how to choose an Apple laptop now? After all, there are now three almost identical models on sale: “just” MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro 13″.
Until recently, the choice was, I must say, simpler. If the budget was minimal, but an Apple laptop was required, the person ordered a MacBook Air. The old generation model is mercilessly criticized on the Internet, but meanwhile it sells well. Simply because it is the cheapest Apple laptop. Okay, no questions.
The next level is the Apple MacBook. A laptop with a 12-inch screen and thin frames created a lot of noise, a favorite of glossy publications and fashionistas. It is not only beautiful, but also compact: a very convenient option for business trips.
Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2016): my impressions after 2 weeks with the laptop
Alexander Pobyvanets
December 6, 2016Now the new MacBook Air is going on sale, and the question immediately arises: “How is it better than the MacBook Pro?”
I will talk exclusively about those versions that are presented on the Russian Apple website. We have fewer options on sale than on the American market: there are no custom assemblies, only ready-made versions. Therefore, if you need something “like that,” then look at the American site.
I want the lightest one!
Of course, this is a MacBook - the thinnest and lightest of all Apple laptops. Last time it was updated in the summer of 2017, since then there have been no significant changes, except that now the Rose Gold color will not be on sale. The model in this color was removed after the recent autumn presentation, so now she is a rarity.
The 12-inch MacBook weighs just 920 grams, while the 13.3-inch Air and Pro weigh 1.25 and 1.37 kg, respectively.
Where is the best screen?
At first glance, the Air and Pro 13″ screens are the same, but the specifications on the Apple website indicate that the Pro has a brightness of 500 nits, and the Air only 300. The resolution and diagonals are identical: 2560 × 1600 pixels and 13 .3 inches respectively. The MacBook has a 12-inch diagonal, a resolution of 2304 × 1440 and a brightness of 300 nits.
Therefore, the Air should be the same as the Pro in terms of image quality. But Pro has a more impressive brightness margin - in certain situations this is important: for example, when you have to urgently finish documents in the summer outside in the sun.
What about the connectors?
The worst situation is with the MacBook 12, it has the only USB Type-C. We connected the charger - that's all, the connectors ran out.
In this regard, the MacBook 13 and MacBook Air look more interesting: both have a pair of Thunderbolt 3 and support for USB Type-C. Two connectors are better than one, although life without adapters will seem harsh and difficult.
Who works longer?
I took the data from the Apple website, where it says that charging macbook enough for 10 hours of work, like the MacBook Pro. The MacBook Air works the longest - they promise up to 12 hours.
Who needs a new Apple MacBook Air?
Alexander Pobyvanets
October 30, 2018Which is the most powerful?
Judging by the experience of using different Apple laptops, they all cope well with routine tasks: dozens open tabs in the browser, working with mail, documents, presentations and signs. The MacBook 12 can handle this just fine. If desired, you can even mount videos on it, although this is beyond its capabilities - a small laptop was not created for such purposes.
Basic version The MacBook received a dual-core 7th generation Intel Core m3 processor with a frequency of 1.2 GHz. If you need more power, look at the older version: it already has an Intel Core i5 with a frequency of 1.3 GHz.
IN new MacBook The Air has the latest dual-core Intel Core i5-8210Y with a frequency of 1.6 GHz, made using a 14 nm process technology. In terms of performance, it is comparable to the basic Apple MacBook Pro 13″, which costs only 5 thousand rubles more, and there is an Intel Core i5-7360U with a frequency of 2.3 GHz. But the processor is not the latest eighth generation, but the seventh generation.
I took the performance data from the Geekbench test.
Single-Core Performance
- 1.6 GHz 2018 MacBook Air – 4248
- 2017 MacBook Air - 3335
- 1.4 GHz 2017 MacBook – 3925
- 1.3 GHz 2017 MacBook - 3630
- 1.2 GHz 2017 MacBook – 3527
- 2.3 GHz 2018 MacBook Pro – 4504
- 2.3 GHz 2017 MacBook Pro – 4314
Multi-Core Performance
- 1.6 GHz 2018 MacBook Air – 7828
- 2017 MacBook Air - 6119
- 1.4 GHz 2017 MacBook – 7567
- 1.3 GHz 2017 MacBook – 6974
- 1.2 GHz 2017 MacBook – 6654
- 2.3 GHz 2018 MacBook Pro – 16464
- 2.3 GHz 2017 MacBook Pro – 9071
As you can see, the difference is in favor of the Pro, but even the MacBook looks decent compared to the Air.
Where is more memory?
By default, all three laptops receive 8 GB random access memory, there are no other options. Even for an extra charge.
In terms of built-in memory, the MacBook is in the lead: we immediately get 256 GB for data storage. Whereas Air and Pro have only 128 GB.
Want to increase memory to 256 GB? Please, the issue price is 16,000 rubles. Need even more? Air volume for Russian market limited to the 256 GB version, although in America you can get at least 1.5 TB. So the choice is small: Russians are offered only a 13″ MacBook Pro and “just” a 512 GB MacBook.
Why buy Air if you have Pro?
New MacBook Air - good laptop, but there is one “but”. Why is it needed when a MacBook Pro 13″ is sold nearby?
Let's say the MacBook Air is cheaper. But the difference in price is not very big: only 5 thousand rubles in his favor, compared to one hundred thousand for a laptop, the amount is not that big. What other advantages does Air have? Weighs a little less? The difference is also not particularly colossal.
Does Air last longer? Yes, on paper the dry characteristics look a little more interesting, it should last 2 hours more, but it’s not a fact that this will be noticeable in practice.
The Air has Touch ID, which the base MacBook Pro 13″ doesn't have. But if you pay extra, you get a MacBook Pro 13″ with Touch Bar and a fingerprint scanner. Yes, myself Touch function ID is not so significant that you need to worry about its absence in the laptop.
It turns out that the MacBook Air is comparable to the MacBook Pro; it was not possible to notice a significant difference between them when studying the characteristics. By at least, I have. And if you ask me why buy Air instead of Pro now, I can’t find any arguments in its favor.