Computers, laptops and gadgets 6848 01/25/2022 read 5 minutes Share
Computers, laptops and gadgets Share
6848 01/25/2022 read 5 minutes
Apple's MacBook is one of the most popular laptop series in the world with the unique Mac OS operating system. The model range is updated several times a year. Buyers have different options for size, color and filling. However, when it comes to choosing, you have to compare Apple laptops with top-end Windows products. To understand the issue, let's study the pros and cons of the MacBook. This way it will immediately become clear who this technique is suitable for and for what purposes.
MacBook is one of the most popular laptops in the world
Screen
Almost all modern MacBooks are equipped with high-quality high-resolution IPS matrices (Retina). Those. you are guaranteed to get excellent image quality and you probably can’t go wrong with this, but just in case, still look at the product description.
However, today MacBooks are presented in a range of models with a maximum screen diagonal of 15.4″, which belong to the more expensive MacBook Pro series. So, if you absolutely need a 17-inch screen, pass by, you won’t get it here.
Do all apps work on MacBook Air with M1
To do this, before launching a non-optimized application, you are asked to install Rozeta. This is how you get the opportunity to optimize applications on the fly to run on your new computer. Naturally, the question immediately arises whether the operation of the replicator leads to the fact that applications will perform worse. The answer is no !
Either the computer’s performance is sufficient, or after optimization the performance is higher, but I didn’t notice anything from the “household” applications that would work somehow wrong.
The new MacBook doesn't just run stock apps.
CPU
Most MacBooks are equipped with economical Intel Core i7 processors from the U series, which will be enough to use most professional applications (audio, video editing, 3D rendering) at the amateur level.
But, if you work with serious projects on an ongoing basis and it is important for you to do it as quickly as possible, then it is better to give preference to a Windows laptop with a much more powerful professional Intel processor from the H or HQ series. Yes, there are MacBooks with such processors, but they are very expensive (from $3,500).
Is the MacBook Air faster with M1?
The whole system works quickly. Even those moments in which old computers froze a little, but this did not raise any questions, now you simply don’t notice. For example, that fraction of a second that passed from the moment the lid was opened until the screen turned on. Now it lights up so quickly that you don’t have time to open it all the way. Even if you pull the top very quickly, the laptop turns on about a third of the way to the natural position of the lid. It seems like a small thing, but on my laptop, which is also not the oldest, a small delay is now just annoying .
What's inside the new MacBooks with the M1 chip and how do they differ from Intel Macs?
Switching the screen mode also works quickly. If you change the font and scale of the interface, then everything happens instantly, and not as before, when the screen blinked and froze for about 1-2 seconds. This happened even on the top version of the MacBook Pro 16 for 400,000 rubles.
There was no need to place a fan in this case. There is more space for batteries and the laptop lasts longer.
For all this we should thank the same M1 chip on ARM, which now does all the work. Thanks to its optimization and ability to work very energy-efficiently, the laptop was able to abandon the active cooling system. A couple of years ago it was impossible to imagine even a weak laptop without a fan, but now it exists, and it is not only not weak, but scores higher or the same as top-end iMacs in performance tests. The new Air in certain modes even outperforms some versions of the Mac Pro in tests. This is truly “Amazing”, which Apple spoke about so many times on stage.
On this MacBook you can not only work, but also have fun.
Mostly in my work I use text editors, do video editing in Final Cut and process photos in PhotoShop. In this type of work, I did not experience any difficulties with the new laptop. Everything worked as quickly as possible. Even those applications that were not optimized for the new architecture worked without any problems. Even though the AppStore even has a whole section dedicated to applications for new computers, everyone can use it.
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Video card
This is where things are traditionally sad for MacBooks; they are equipped with below-average discrete graphics, probably because they cannot accommodate a powerful cooling system in their compact body.
Yes, this graphics is quite sufficient for everyday tasks and amateur video editing, but for complex professional projects it is not suitable; you will have to take a Windows laptop or an external video card. Modern heavy games could not be mentioned at all, since this is the prerogative of the Microsoft platform; they simply are not made for Macs. Although, of course, there are all sorts of casual and creative toys to distract yourself a little.
MacOs or Windows 10 or Linux
Now let's talk a little about the MacOs operating system. And I’ll compare it with Windows and Linux.
Yes. MacOS is a fairly simple system. It seemed closest to Ubuntu to me. Moreover, from the same family as her.
What are the advantages of MacOS:
- Free
- Operation speed
- No freezes or lags
- Few viruses
- Good access control
- No need to install drivers - everything is included
- Intuitive interface
- Ease of use
- Good pairing with hardware
What can I say. I wrote above about the “intuitive interface” and “ease of use”. Nothing is “intuitive”! And I would also argue about convenience. Although this is most likely a matter of habit.
Although I got used to Links Mint in just a couple of minutes. And everything there is really intuitive and convenient.
Well, let’s look at a few other points.
- Free - yeah, it's free. More precisely, its price is built into the cost of the MacBook. So now there are laptops with Windows 10 pre-installed. But Linux is free “to be honest.” And installing MacOS on a Hackintosh is such an idea...
- The speed of work is, well, fast. But it’s not that it’s an order of magnitude faster than Linux. And Windows 10 is also quite fast. It all depends on the hardware of the laptop in the first place.
- Doesn’t freeze - My Linux froze literally a couple of times in 2 years of use. I won’t say anything about Windows 10, I only have it on a virtual machine. But I also didn’t notice any special glitches.
- There are no viruses - or rather, there are few of them. This is true. One of the reasons I was looking for a MacBook was the virtual absence of viruses. By the way, they don’t exist on Linux either.
- Safety is also true. Here (as in Linux) no program can install itself on a laptop. You will definitely need to confirm this with the owner. Well, access to folders and files is also much better organized (in terms of security) than in Windows. By the way, there is one “ambush” related to unlocking a MacBook on the Apple website. After all, if you buy a used MacBook, and the previous owner has not logged out of the account, then... And you still need to remove a bunch of other passwords. To be honest, for some reason this bothers me... What if you forget to check something like this when purchasing, and hell! Get a brick in your hands.
- No problems with drivers - that's also true. By the way, everything is installed in Linux without any problems either. It has a large library of drivers (I only installed fingerprint access separately). But in fairness, it is worth noting that Windows 10 also now installs all the “firewood” itself during installation.
In general, it must be said that MacOs is no better than Windows or Linux. She's just different. So to speak, perpendicular to these systems. With a different logic.
For those who like to play games. In MacOS this is a problem. And the Macs themselves are less “tailored” for games. However, every year there are more and more such games. By the way, as for Linux. There are those originally made for these systems, as well as ported ones. However, if your main goal is toys, then only Windows. Definitely!
You also need to take into account that MacOs is a closed system. There are very few opportunities there to “tweak” something to suit yourself. In Windows there are much more settings. Not to mention Linux operating systems.
In MacOS everything is standard and... boring. Everything is the same. There is not enough room for self-expression.
As for programs, of course there are fewer of them than for Windows, but much more than for Linux. In any case, 90% of the professional programs that I need are native to MacOs. For example, the same Direct Commander or Google Editor. There are none for Linux. But…. Some programs are still not “tailored” for Macs. For example, Key Collector or SmartSeoAuditor. To run them you will still have to install a virtual OS.
By the way, what do I like about Linux? You can find a system for yourself. Under an old and slow car. Sophisticated and fast. With a beautiful desktop. And with minimalism. With a minimum of system settings. And with complete freedom to customize what you need...Total freedom! Moreover, the kit often comes with a set of useful programs, an analogue of MS Office and all sorts of editors. Well, that's true. By the way. The article is still about Macs... :)
Disk system
MacBooks are equipped with fast SSD drives, but they have a relatively small capacity. On average, this is 256 GB, and 512 GB models are already significantly more expensive.
This means that a relatively inexpensive MacBook model will not be enough to store a large number of voluminous projects. In a Windows laptop, this situation is much better; for a very affordable price you can get a model with an SSD and HDD. But this is not yet a reason to abandon the MacBook, since you can replace the SSD with a larger one or simply buy an external drive.
Pros of MacBooks
To begin with, I decided to put together the main advantages of MacBooks that I found on the Internet and which salespeople in stores told me about.
- High build quality
- Lid opens with one hand
- Silent fans
- Battery life up to 12 hours
- High speed
- High speed SSD drive
- Awesome screen with Retina technology
- Awesome sound
- Very convenient MacOS system
- Convenient touchpad
- You don't need a mouse at all
- Slim body
- Aluminum housing (impact-resistant and good heat dissipation)
- Butterfly keyboard (in new versions)
- Cool Wi-Fi receiver
- Protected from theft, as there is a link to the owner
- Cool famous brand (good to show off )
Well... probably the main thing. Maybe, of course, I forgot something else. I think you can easily complete this yourself.
By the way. I understand perfectly well that a MacBook is not suitable for gaming. I needed it for regular “office” work + contextual advertising + video editing.
Touchpad and keyboard
MacBooks are famous for their touchpads - they are large, have excellent sensitivity and support advanced gestures, which makes working with them incredibly convenient.
The keyboard on MacBooks is also fine, except that the keys sometimes fall off and need to be handled gently. Although if something happens, the service will quickly and without problems replace it. We will not talk separately about the service, we will just note that it is the best in the world.
Does the MacBook Air 2022 get too hot?
Among other things, it can be noted that the laptop does not heat up at all. If you use a browser (even Chrome with a lot of open tabs) and watch videos, the heating will be no more than that of an iPad or iPhone . And let me remind you, despite the fact that there is no active cooling system inside. I was only able to warm up the computer when I started rendering the video in Final Cut. On my iMac it took many times longer to calculate than on the new MacBook Air. At this point the case did get hot, but not as hot as it could have been.
MacBook Pro with M1 tested with artificial intelligence - it's just a gun
Because energy is spent on performance rather than heat, the battery actually lasts longer in almost all usage modes. In the days when I worked with text in Pages, I hardly noticed how the battery was draining. And even though I worked at home, I am sure that this is the laptop that you can take with you to the office and not even think about charging - it will definitely last until the evening.
Charging, as before, is carried out via USB Type-C.
Design and dimensions
Apple laptops have a simple, but at the same time very stylish design. They have a solid, thin aluminum body and are a pleasure to hold in your hands.
In terms of size and weight, they are superior to most conventional laptops. However, if design is more important to you, it is worth noting that the same DELL and HP have models that are in no way inferior in this regard, but cost half as much.
MacBook Air with M1 chip
Many thought that the M1 chip would literally be in one model. As a result, there were more such “first signs” and we received three new computers (MacBook Air, MacBook Pro 13 and Mac Mini). Either in order not to scare off users, or in order not to risk making a mistake with the design, the company chose a proven, popular appearance.
The keyboard differs only in that one button has been changed, like on the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro. Now there is a globe on the “Fn” key in the lower left corner and it can switch the keyboard layout. There is no choice on the iPad and you have to force yourself to use it. After four days on a laptop, I still couldn’t get used to this switching method. It’s difficult to aim it with your little finger, and the pressing mechanism on the automatic machine has never worked out. As a result, I returned to my usual “ Command + spacebar ”.
Now there is such a button on the keyboard.
If you previously had a laptop with a butterfly keyboard, which you stopped using only recently, you will be a little unusual, since the keys do not give such a clear response when pressed. Before this, I used the MacBook Pro 13 2017 and could not help but notice this difference.
Otherwise, everything is the same as on the previous generation MacBook Air, including size and weight. Even the number and location of connectors on the case have not changed.
How to copy data from old HDD to MacBook, iMac and other computers
Software
Not only is macOS a much faster, more reliable and easier-to-use operating system, but it's also packed with great apps that just work.
You don't have to dance with a tambourine to get your laptop to do what you need. You just launch the application and work, its settings are optimal, everything has already been thought out for you. Nothing slows down or glitches here - this is what makes it worth buying a MacBook.
What's the difference between the new MacBook Air and the old one?
First of all, I didn’t rush into a review due to the fact that all the changes in the new computer are hidden inside the case. If you put the new and previous MacBook Air side by side, even Tim Cook will not be able to tell the difference . You can understand what a computer really is only by the updated keyboard layout and the smaller slot under the lid. I don't have the old Air handy, but from memory the gap is much narrower. It’s logical, because now the computer has no active cooling.
How RAM affects the speed of the MacBook Pro with M1
I started with the appearance, since it is not only what you see first, but also what makes you realize that you have bought a new product. Usually companies try to change the appearance for every internal change, but Apple took a different route.
Even the screen frames are no longer narrower. The same body, but with new filling.
Laptop
The most popular OS in the world is Windows. And no wonder. In the table, we have sorted out the information about the features of this system.
Important : You can install Linux OS on laptops. But! It should be taken into account that then the number of supported programs will sharply decrease.
| Pros of Windows | "Disadvantages" of Windows |
| Supports millions of programs and games | Without installing third-party antiviruses, it often does not see viruses |
| You can find PCs in any price category | There are a lot of "crutches" as developers try to make the system universal |
| Room for customization: from icons to design themes and system sounds | — |
| Suitable for any laptop (even Apple) | — |
When choosing a PC, not only the OS is taken into account, but also the category of the device itself. Next, the most popular types of laptops will be discussed: from bulky gaming models to miniature ultrabooks.
Standard laptop
A universal laptop is a powerful device that can replace a full-fledged computer.
Standard parameters of a modern laptop:
- diagonal from 13 to 17″ (inches);
- thin body: thinner than laptops 10 years ago;
- backlit keyboard (optional);
- the ability to connect almost any multimedia equipment thanks to the presence of HDMI, USB, Lightning, etc. connectors;
- RAM from 8 to 16 GB. More powerful devices - in the gaming segment;
- internal memory ranges from 250 GB to 1.5 TB;
- Many models do not have a disk drive. To increase the device's memory, the manufacturer installs a second hard drive.
See also: How to increase laptop performance - 8 ways
Netbook
Compact and convenient. These devices are designed for surfing the Internet. Now there are few of them on the market, since tablets supplanted netbooks in the early 1990s.
Key characteristics of the netbook:
- small diagonal (from 9 to 12.5 inches);
- autonomy - spends little energy on work;
- resistance to falls due to light weight;
- a complete set of basic multimedia functions.
Read: How to remove unnecessary applications from a laptop - 2 methods
Ultrabook
These are thin laptops that are slightly thicker than a tablet or phone. They are compact (the thinner, the more expensive). But they cannot boast of great productivity.
- In the first case, such laptops use only advanced parts, the price of which is higher than average.
- In the second case, parts of a smaller volume are installed “inside”, which is why the devices cannot boast of top-end characteristics.
Life hack: How to improve laptop cooling - 5 ways
For games
Gamers should definitely choose a Windows laptop, since many more games are available on this system. In addition, most ordinary laptops can be modified: you can insert 1-2 sticks of RAM into them. This is not possible with Apple computers.
When choosing a gaming laptop, you should understand what you want more in design: the lightness of a MacBook or the gaming features. As a rule, the price of devices of the first category starts from $1000. Such gadgets are more compact, but memory volumes are limited to 1 TB of ROM and 16 GB of RAM. Gaming machines are much more powerful, with 32 GB of RAM and 2-3 TB of internal memory, but they are more expensive and less compact.
Tip: How to check the camera on a laptop: 3 ways to turn it on and check
More nuances
Big Sur is the first major update in many years. The version numbers speak for themselves. Previously it was 10.15 (macOS Catalina), and now it is 11.0 (macOS Big Sur).
During tests, a major update 11.1 arrived on Air and some problems immediately sank into oblivion. So, if there are any software bugs left, they will almost certainly be fixed in the future.
However, this is what I was “lucky” to encounter.
One day the menu with application icons or the Dock disappeared. Cured by rebooting. There were minor problems with Telegram and Steam's access to the disk for writing files.
Apparently, some applications have not yet learned to request permission to the necessary computer nodes through the standard tools of the new system.
I cured the problem by allowing access to the disk (Settings - Security and Privacy - Privacy - Disk Access - click on the plus sign and select Steam or another application).
Also, Steam littered Launchpad with icons of installed and subsequently deleted games. Therefore, here are instructions on how to remove unnecessary application icons from Launchpad:
- open Launchpad
- drag the extra icon to the Dock
- In the Dock, open the context menu for the icon, select “Show in Finder”
- then drag the icon to the trash from the window that opens
- and then select “Remove from Dock” from the Dock context menu
That's all. I didn't notice anything truly critical.
