MacBook or regular laptop. Why a used MacBook is better than a new Windows laptop


I often work on my laptop while sitting in a cafe or coworking space. Every time I watch other people, I involuntarily notice how Mac users less than owners of other laptops. All kinds of Asus, Sansung, Acer, HP and many other brands. Only a few have MacBook (Air, Pro). Have you ever wondered why there are ten times fewer Apple laptop fans? But there are reasons and they are very ambiguous. Let's look into them.

Why is Apple MacBook so much smaller than laptops from other manufacturers?

According to official statistics, computers running on Microsoft Windows occupy approximately 91% of the total market, while macOS devices account for only 8%. What are these scary numbers you ask? Yes, indeed, the Mac connoisseur is not puzzled. Do such statistics really hint that macOS is worse than Windows? Or herself computer technology Is Apple inferior in quality to other brands? Of course not, the reasons are much more prosaic.

The main reason is that the operating room macOS system installed exclusively on equipment Apple Mac, while Windows is a “free” operating system, and dozens of manufacturers install it on their computers. In other words, there may be more MacBooks than any other brand of laptops, but if we take it in general, the army of Windows PCs is far superior in number.

The second reason is the image of the MacBook as an “expensive device”. Considering that Apple laptops often cost several times more than the top-end laptops of other brands, this affects the number of buyers. Many people think that this price policy unjustified. I won’t argue, I’ll just note that the build quality, performance and durability of Apple laptops are significantly higher than products from other brands. And add to this modern aesthetic design, ergonomics, style in the end! As a result, we get a more expensive device.

And finally, the third reason is the fear of new users of operating system macOS. Since post-Soviet times, residents of the modern CIS have become accustomed to Windows. Remember how lively any system update was discussed, how most of them were installed on computers pirated versions programs... Almost no one had heard of Mac OS at that time, and that’s not surprising. After all, Apple products were mainly distributed in the USA, and the company was very serious about protecting its software products. Therefore, the vast majority of the population is tightly “hooked” on Microsoft Windows, and, accordingly, programs written for it.

Which is better MacBook or Windows PC?

So is it better to choose a MacBook or a laptop from another brand? There is no clear answer to this question; it all depends on the personal preferences of the user and the tasks that need to be solved. In addition, the attitude of the laptop owner to its reliability and durability is important. Usually Apple devices“live” longer, which means they have to be replaced less often. At the same time, there are users who don’t mind updating their equipment every year or several.

To summarize, I would position Apple laptops as business devices. That is, they are preferred by people whose professional activity closely related to computer use. On the other hand, it’s no secret that, for example, laptops from other brands are better suited for gaming. This affects the choice of technology. Businessmen, creative people and specialists prefer the MacBook for its reliability, good performance And appearance. And users who use a laptop for domestic purposes or for standard tasks, they don’t see the point in overpaying for an apple on the lid.

Therefore, as they say, “think for yourself, decide for yourself.” The only thing I wanted to convey is that you should not be afraid of Apple devices as they are complex and expensive to maintain. In fact, the macOS operating system is superior to Windows in many ways; it is more stable and secure. You just have to get used to it, and in a short time you will be able to fully use all the opportunities that have opened up. And for service and MacBook repair there are specialized service centers. I can immediately recommend one of them as a reliable and professional company. This is the Apple BashMac service in Kyiv.

How I chose my laptop and what I considered as a replacement for the MacBook.

It was interesting to read the opinion of each of the commentators under this article, look at the results of the survey and consider your suggestions.

Almost half of the readers urged me to stop looking at Windows laptops and silently save for a MacBook.

However, even then I decided that this year my money would not go to Cook and company, they had really ruined the “professional” laptop and turned it into a show-off computer.

Say what you want, but a professional laptop cannot have one type of connection ports and a touch panel, which you constantly need to look at from the display.

How I chose

I had clear criteria:

1. 15" display Full HD, no more and no less, because 4K on such a diagonal will only load the hardware, and the difference is very difficult to notice with the naked eye.

2. Level discrete graphics card GeForce 9-10 series to easily handle video processing. Well, you can play games now that you’ve switched to Windows.

3. CPU Intel Core i7 latest generation. A laptop is bought for more than one year, it’s better to buy it right away new processor to delay further updates as much as possible.

4. Possibility to upgrade your laptop yourself. Initially I don't need more than 8 or 16 GB random access memory, but in a year or two it will be quite desirable to complete the device.

5. Keyboard backlight. It's very convenient, you get used to it and don't want a laptop without backlighting.

A dozen ultrabooks and almost all modern gaming solutions met these requirements. Thin laptops often did not offer the possibility of an upgrade, which narrowed the range of potential devices for purchase.

Gaming solutions were captivating with a large number of configurations, easy access to RAM strips and storage drives, good optimization of hardware for heavy tasks.

An imperceptible revolution has taken place in the gaming solutions market. Almost everything now offers many different configurations for $1,000 large manufacturers. The solutions are almost as powerful as desktop all-in-one PCs and can easily run the latest gaming titles at high graphics settings.

What were the options?

I had to return to the forgotten Windows world. All that remained was to choose between a stylish ultrabook or a gaming laptop, and then choose a model.

Ultrabooks are good because they have a cool appearance, now not only Apple rules the roost, there are good models and from other manufacturers. The ultrabook is quite light and compact, and with modern hardware it copes well even with editing heavy photos and rendering heavy videos.

I didn’t even consider the 13- and 14-inch models, because all of them, like the MacBook Pro, do not have a discrete graphics card. What kind of “Pro” can we talk about?

A professional in which industry would want a laptop only with Type-C connectors, touch panel and without discrete graphics?

Well, perhaps a professional in typing and printing text.

If you want a normal working tool, you will have to choose between a 15-inch MacBook Pro for 150 thousand rubles or almost any Windows laptop under 100 thousand.

On the Apple side are the dubious features of the Apple ecosystem, the familiar, friendly macOS and the most comfortable touchpad, while on the Win-book side there is a larger selection of software, more flexible configuration, the ability to upgrade and, of course, price.

Macs have always been an expensive pleasure, but now for the cost of a basic “tag” you can buy two or even three good-quality Windows laptops. And I don’t need to tell you about the design, after 3 days you no longer notice what device is in front of you.

I don't like Apple enough to pay extra for a modest set of benefits.

What did I replace the MacBook with?

My computer for the next few years became ASUS ROG GL552. Here's what's on board the new product:

  • Intel Core i7 Kaby Lake;
  • GeForce GTX 960M with 4GB of memory;
  • 16 GB of RAM expandable up to 64!
  • 128 GB SSD + 1TB HDD;
  • 15-inch matte Full HD matrix;
  • Full set of ports: USB Type-C, HDMI, card reader, 3 USB 3.0, gigabit LAN.

Not without a backlit keyboard, a pleasant appearance, as for gaming solutions, and an outdated DVD drive, which will later be transformed into optibay.

The manufacturer allows you to upgrade the device without any problems.

A pair of ordinary bolts without a seal hold the plastic cover in place. Behind it there are two connectors for drives: SATA and M2 and a pair of slots for DDR4 RAM. And don't forget about DVDs.

The price of this solution: 55,000 rubles.

Why so cheap? Similar laptops and computers are sold in all electronics stores and household appliances. Their price collusion is not as obvious as that of apple dealers. There are often promotions, discounts, sales, and you can also get cashback there.

So it turns out that for 50-60 thousand it’s quite possible to find a good, powerful laptop.

What's the result?

Now Apple simply has nothing to attract potential buyers professional laptops. I love Apple devices; for almost 4 years I alternately used a MacBook Pro and Mac mini, I have a set of purchased software and other devices from the Apple ecosystem.

However, I don’t see any obvious advantages that will force you to buy a MacBook for 150 thousand. For this money I can buy almost top-end ultrabooks and gaming laptop at the same time, using each according to your mood.

Call me poor, but I really don't see the point in paying more.

After the release of macOS High Sierra I'll definitely try to mess around with Hackintosh. Problems may arise with the video card and wireless modules, but it's worth a try.

So, you have decided to buy a computer. And here you are faced with a whole series of questions. Which brand should you prefer? Should I overpay for famous brand? What should you pay attention to first? Which is better MacBook or regular laptop in 2015?

The model you choose should meet your wishes, be comfortable and easy to use. It should also take into account the operating features, if any. This could be the environment or human factor. Consider the case when you choose a MacBook.

In 2015, the most current MacBook model is the MacBook Air. Undoubtedly he is the best Apple line. Let's look at its characteristics:

  1. 10-12 hours battery life.
  2. 13-inch screen.
  3. It can rightfully be considered an ultra-thin gadget in 2015.
  4. Weight only 2.13 kg.
  5. Built-in camera that takes clear pictures or videos.
  6. RAM 2 GB.
  7. Suitable for all types of tasks, for gamers, for movie lovers and for business people.
  8. Excellent design, polycarbonate body, which provides additional durability when dropped or bumped.
  9. Protection against all types of viruses.

Disadvantages include the low-budget cost. When buying a MacBook, you must understand that you are paying worldwide famous name Apple.

If you decide to buy a regular laptop, we recommend that you pay attention to the Lenovo Lavie Z. This amazing, lightweight and convenient gadget is the brainchild of Nec and Lenovo. There are 2 versions on the market - a regular laptop and a transformable laptop. The main advantages of this device are its 13-inch display and relatively low weight, only 720 grams. The lid and body of the laptop are made of magnesium-lithium alloy, which provides it with additional durability. Lavie Z has powerful processor fifth generation. The battery charge lasts from 6 to 9 hours of continuous use. However, the price of this gadget is far from affordable. The price starts from 1200 USD.

Another model worthy of your attention is the Acer Chrome book 15. Screen diagonal is 15.6 inches, RAM is from 2 to 4 GB, depending on the configuration. The undoubted advantages are budget price, good speed operation of the operating system, light weight and small dimensions.

We can also recommend you the frameless 13.3-inch Dell XPS13. Working panel made of polycarbonate, RAM capacity from 4 to 8 GB depending on which configuration you choose. The battery charge will last approximately 10 hours of battery life. Among the disadvantages, one can highlight the rather noisy operation of the gadget and the inflated cost, as for Ukraine.

To summarize, we would like to note that choosing to buy a laptop is a responsible matter. However, it’s still worth taking a closer look at regular PCs. Taking into account the goals and category of the future user, you will definitely choose what you need.

In June, Apple introduced an improved line of laptops, including an updated MacBook Air. The latter received a minimal update in the form of a new processor – Intel Core i5 with clock frequency 1.8 GHz. According to rumors, this update will become .

The MacBook Air is considered one of the best value-for-money laptops on the market. In Russia, the model fell into the category of bestsellers among 13-inch models. If Apple really abandons the series, it will be a real tragedy for Mac fans.


Columnist Pavel Gorodnitsky is confident that the MacBook Air remains best laptop on the market in the segment up to 70,000 rubles. In his opinion, there are 7 reasons why you should hurry up and buy an Apple “air” laptop:

1. For three years of use, I have never updated the OS, cleaned the memory, or taken the MacBook for service or installed special programs to optimize work - in a word, did nothing to speed up the computer. It already worked extremely quickly - I never experienced any freezes, glitches or other nasty things that often pop up in Windows laptops. The MacBook Air is fantastically optimized - I rebooted it no more than ten times during my entire time. And then only in those moments when it was simply too lazy to manually close applications.

2. The MacBook Air feels like it charges from zero to 100 percent in about an hour. This saved me a couple of times: I plugged in the laptop almost before leaving for the plane, and then watched a movie or worked without thinking about the battery at all.

3. The declared 12 hours of battery life is a beautiful fiction, but the MacBook Air definitely delivers eight to nine hours. This is enough to go on a two-day business trip and never take it out of your bag. Charger. In addition, the MacBook Air practically does not discharge if it is closed - in this mode, about 5% is consumed per day. And one last fact about the battery: over 34 months, its actual capacity decreased by only 25% and remained very decent.

4. MacBook Air, unlike new MacBooks, has USB ports. You can buy a laptop and use it right away, rather than worry about bulky and expensive adapters.

5. MacBook Air is hyper-compact. I felt it when I stuffed the 13-inch model into the vertical shoulder bag. The laptop fit almost completely (except that the zipper was not fastened) and did not cause the slightest discomfort. 1.35 kilograms was almost unnoticeable - it seemed to me that I was carrying a large-format book or a plump stack of paper in my bag, and not a full-fledged computer.

6. There are ultrabooks that are focused exclusively on working in the browser and watching movies. At first I thought that the MacBook Air was the same, but when I needed to edit a video, the laptop only got a little hotter than usual. The same situation is with Photoshop: a slight increase in temperature, but no brakes. It is really enough for all tasks.

7. Perhaps the most important point. U new MacBook Pro (2016) the apple on the lid does not light up. The 12-inch MacBook does the same. Accordingly, now the MacBook Air is the only relevant Apple laptop with the famous illuminated logo.

The main problem is that, while sending the MacBook Air to the grave, Apple CEO Tim Cook does not offer any reasonable alternative. He simply takes and abandons the universal and truly popular computer, leaving only gadgets from another price category. The same 12-inch MacBook costs 75–80 thousand, and a modern MacBook Pro will cost 100,000 for the younger version.


First, Apple got people hooked on its OS through a budget laptop, and now macOS fans are faced with a difficult choice: they will either have to shell out money for top-end MacBooks, or return to Windows with their tail between their legs.

This story is all about Apple from the Tim Cook era. Unfortunately, the company's goal now is not to please users, but to monetize their loyalty as effectively as possible.

What is the difference between a MacBook and a laptop? Question from the authors: how does an iPhone differ from a smartphone... However, people in whose minds this kind of dilemma arises can be understood. The Apple company, which produces these devices, is guilty of naming gadgets after the name of the product class - smartphone/iPhone, MacBook/laptop - this creates confusion.

In fact, there is no fundamental difference between a Macbook and any other laptop. Even so, a MacBook is a laptop. And yet, the Apple laptop has quite a few differences from the classic one. In this article we will look at these differences.

However, before talking about how a Macbook differs from any other classic laptop, it is necessary to say what types of the first exist.

Apple laptops have long been represented by two lines - Macbook Pro(Pro) and Macbook Air(Air, Air, Air), but more recently a new series has appeared with a simple and concise name - Macbook - no prefixes or additions.

Macbook Pro is a line of powerful Apple laptops. The most advanced hardware and Retina displays in versions recent years allow devices of this line to be easily replaced full-fledged computers for home and work tasks. Moreover, when we say “workers,” we do not mean only classic office programs, like typing and presentation utilities. Macbook Pro will satisfy even the most demanding graphic designer or design engineer, in general, users whose profession involves working in heavy programs - Photoshop, Autocad, etc.

Macbook Air is a more universal series. Laptops in this line are slightly less powerful, but at the same time they are thinner and lighter, and also show record autonomy. In short, the Macbook Air is the perfect mobile laptop for everyday tasks, unless, of course, working in Photoshop is not your everyday task. No, of course, this device will easily open this and any other heavy program and allow you to work in it, but only the Macbook Pro will demonstrate lightning-fast, lag-free operation when working with these types of applications.

And finally, just a Macbook. This series is relatively new and it is difficult to say how Apple sees its future. We’ll just note that this device (the line is currently represented by one device) is a kind of lightweight version of the Air.

Macbook is the most beautiful in the world

Well, now let's talk about the differences. And the first thing that catches your eye is the design - impeccable, no matter how you look at it. Not a single laptop - and fans admit it Apple, and critics - cannot boast of such a perfect design as the Macbook.

Both Air and Pro version very similar. There are differences, of course, but they are minimal and insignificant within the scope of this review. What do the models of all lines of Apple laptops have in common? All metal slim body made of aluminum, minimalistic design, elegant “apple” on the lid, noble shades of the body, and generally incredibly high-quality and neat execution.

In short, if you are one of those for whom image is everything and thirst is nothing, then for you the difference between a Macbook and a traditional laptop is obvious already at the first stage of comparison.

Mac OS is my faithful friend

If you believe that appearance is not the main thing in technology and everything is determined by performance, then we move on. We have already talked about the power of Macbooks above, but the above information requires additions.

Apple laptop, especially if we are talking about the current model listed in official sale, a powerful thing. However, the device with powerful filling can be found from another manufacturer. That’s right, but only the Macbook can boast of an optimal combination - hardware + platform. And this, in fact, is very important, this is the very reason why a Macbook freezes and slows down extremely rarely, even if it was purchased several years ago. Agree, a classic Windows laptop can only dream of this. What's the matter?

The fact is that Apple itself creates devices and writes the Mac OS platform for them. With laptops from other companies, everything is different - the manufacturer designs the device and installs a ready-made Windows platform, written by Microsoft. And here the same story begins as in the eternal confrontation between iPhone and iOS vs any other smartphone and Android. When the platform is optimally adjusted with all other hardware being equal, you can achieve more in all respects - performance, autonomy, etc.

Enough for a long time

Another difference between a MacBook and a classic laptop is autonomy. Here again the Macbook stands out positively. Macbook Air is a real unique product - productive and thin, but at the same time capable of working in quiet office mode for up to 12 hours without recharging! This is generally an impressive figure for a laptop, not to mention an ultra-thin and powerful device. The Macbook Pro is a little behind in battery life, because it is more powerful and equipped with a Retina display, but the figure is still good - 10 hours.

In standby mode, Apple laptops can last up to 30 days! And by the way, getting back to the lightning-fast response and quick response - the Macbook wakes up from standby mode almost instantly, that is, you literally open the lid and the next second you can continue working. Even if you haven’t approached the device for a couple of weeks, it will still react with lightning speed.

A few words about the display

We are all already accustomed to displays highest definition in flagship smartphones, however, laptops have a large diagonal and this kind of screen, as they say, costs a pretty penny. And yet, in the latest Macbooks Pro Apple I finally decided to install Retina displays, which no matter how much you look at, you can’t see an individual pixel. This, of course, is another advantageous difference from classic laptops.

However, Air laptops also do not have Retina displays, but, in fairness, it is worth saying that not everything comes down to clarity. Apple uses Hi-tech in the design of screens, so in fact the display of any Macbook compares favorably with most classic laptops.

Important pleasant little things

In fact, the complex of all the pleasant little things can only be appreciated once you start using a Macbook, but some catch your eye right away. Firstly, there is a huge trackpad that is a pleasure to operate. Secondly, the keyboard is comfortable - the buttons and the distance between them are not small even on compact Macbooks. Thirdly, the keyboard backlight is a great addition when working in low light conditions.

However, Apple laptops, of course, are not ideal - they also have some unpleasant little things. The Apple giant, for example, really doesn’t like to make holes in its equipment, and therefore the set of connectors in the Macbook is minimal. In addition, as a rule, Apple laptops are equipped with a small amount of built-in memory, and although it can be expanded, what matters is what you have initially. And finally, the price. Like any product from the Apple giant, the Macbook is not cheap - the minimum price for current model- about 60 thousand rubles, and for the cool Pro versions you will have to pay all 200 thousand!

Let's summarize

In the broad sense of the word, a Macbook is a laptop. But if you take a closer look... Compared to a classic laptop, the Apple product has a lot of advantages, however, they all fade when you find out what the cost of a Macbook is. However, if you call Macbook laptop premium class (and this, it seems to us, is the best epithet for this device) then everything will fall into place. And a lot of advantageous differences, and the price become logical.







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