MacBook Pro lineup. Getting Started

With the release of the MacBook Pro 2010 on the market, many fans of Apple products switched to it from previous lines. How reasonable is this decision? How is the new issue radically different from last year’s? And is it worth paying attention to this device? We will discuss this in today's article. More precisely, it will be detailed MacBook review Pro 2010.

As in more “fresh” models - MacBook Pro 15 mid 2010 and MacBook Pro 17 2010, the power supply has been updated here. More precisely, the MagSafe connector has changed. Now it is made of aluminum and has become rounded. And when you connect the element to the MacBook, the cord goes up or runs along the side. The design has become more reliable, and this arrangement of the cable protects it from kinks.

In other respects, the devices of this year and last year are exactly the same. Yes, the keyboard of the newer MacBook is slightly different, but this is due to the devices being targeted at different markets. So those who are accustomed to an American keyboard with engraving will have to get used to it...

Apple MacBook Pro 13 2010: specifications

For those who managed to buy the A1278 or another variation of this laptop, everything about it has already become clear. In general, the reviews on the forums are good. New owners of the device only have to configure some software.

Although sometimes troubles happen when i Tunes refuses to recognize iOS gadgets - iPhone or iPad. Moreover, the system identifies them, and by capturing images, you can save photo frames available in the gadgets’ memory. However, the MacBook simply ignores them.

Speculation about Apple’s struggle with jailbreak involuntarily emerges. In such situations, the owner of a MacBook frantically searches for a solution to the problem on the Internet. But in the end, it turns out to be easy and simple to deal with - a secondary download and installation of iTunes. Typically, after these steps everything works great.

Detailed description and user reviews

One of the first things new owners of a MacBook Pro 2010 will notice is inertia scrolling. The point is that when you rotate the list with two fingers, it continues to scroll through even after they are removed. Almost everyone unanimously notes the convenience and indispensability of this option.

Previously, when many were just beginning their acquaintance with Apple products, they used the Smart Scroll utility for these purposes. But the results were depressing - slowdowns, incorrect definition of zones, crooked work. As a result, the user abandoned the whole matter. It doesn't matter whether the new option is software-based or hardware-based. The main thing is that it always functions perfectly. It's comfortable to use various web– admin panels with long lists, iTunes and much more. And in general, visually it looks great.

The performance has been slightly improved - and this is immediately noticeable. Software launches faster, documentation opens, and photographs are processed. In terms of graphics, there are the same improvements. With the GeForce 320M chip, performance has been increased by almost 100%. Some note that this parameter has even tripled. But if you are not an avid gamer, you are unlikely to notice the difference with its predecessor in this criterion. Ordinary undemanding software already worked excellently on earlier MacBook models.

A number of users noticed much less heating of the body of the 2010 devices compared to last year’s line. The usual processor temperature is a maximum of 55 degrees. In terms of noise, or rather the lack thereof, the laptops are the same.

We have to spend two weeks getting used to the slightly changed keyboard. The Enter element was made narrower this time, but it occupied two tiers. The tilde was placed from under the Ecape element closer to the left Shift . The cmd+ ~ combination familiar to many has now become impossible to switch between windows within the software. It turns out that the element has moved to a different place - you will also have to get used to it.

But the engraving of the keyboard pleases. The inscriptions in both languages ​​are large. They are located on the side of the keys. In just a few days, you can actually learn to type on it with the same speed and convenience as on your previous device.

The display hinges have become less rigid. At first, after the flimsy elements of devices from previous lines, I even like it. But after a while it starts to get annoying. Now it looks like something between a 15-inch and a 13-inch model.

The sound coming from the speakers is louder. But probably in mac OS X version 10.6.4 the sound components of the “filling” have also improved. At least among the improvements in the release, where we are talking about OS Sierra of this variation. It talks about successfully solving problems with speakers.

Another parameter due to which this MacBook should be purchased, despite the fact that its price is high, is the long period battery life. When the system barely starts, there is nothing unnecessary there, and the battery is 100% charged. Here, the battery life indicators are simply unrealistic - almost 11.5 hours. However, this is a theory; in practice, of course, everything is worse. According to the experience of MacBook owners, with active mode, the device works for seven hours. This is also a very good result.

The previous 13-inch MacBook lasted at most five hours. However, many people calibrate the battery on new laptops. This procedure allows you to significantly increase the operating period of the device without additional recharging. But the greatest merit in this is the energy-efficient chipset and capacious battery. So buy this MacBook and rest assured that you will be able to comfortably work on it almost all day long without having to be distracted to recharge it.

The RAM is fine for the average user. Or rather, it will be enough for basic needs. After all, it’s unlikely that anyone will use the memory of a MacBook Pro to store photos or movies - there’s a “cloud” for that.

A spoon of tar

Many people perform calibration due to some troubles. So, the user connects a battery to the MacBook, and the LED on the connector does not flash the usual green hue. Instead, it produces a dim glow, barely perceptible to the eye.

Then the roof of the device opens and it becomes obvious that the battery is not charging. It’s understandable to be scared, to think that your favorite gadget has come to an end. But after about an hour, the weight returns to normal - and the battery charges as if nothing had happened.

Perhaps such a nuisance appears due to a breakdown in contacts or something else. This is so that you are aware of such moments and are not in a hurry to immediately take your MacBook to a repair shop.

conclusions

Are the owners of this device satisfied with the functionality and performance of the MacBook? Absolutely yes. And even the amount spent on its acquisition is not a pity.

Many are willing to overpay just for the inertial scrolling option. But there are other wonderful features too.

As for purchase recommendations, it’s more complicated here... If you are 100% satisfied with your current device, there is no point in spending money. It’s better to buy something “fresher” later. Perhaps the Apple company will make fundamental changes to the design.

In general, the release of MacBook Pro 2010 pleases with its quality. But, as always, everyone wants a bright note - some significant change. For example, this may concern the “appearance”, the introduction of a display on an IPS matrix, the reduction of the frame around the display... which of these and others will be implemented - time will tell.

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 directly with suppliers, 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

Good service We value your time, which is why we offer 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 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.

Right off the bat, the line of MacBook Pro laptops from Apple has recently been updated. This update is not critical - the configurations have been changed, a little here, a little here, but in the end we have before us the fruit of quite serious work to improve the model range. The performance (processors, video cards) has been seriously changed, the operating time has been increased, plus there are some implicit improvements. Today we will talk about MBP 15 with a processor Intel Core i7. Please love and respect.

Design and construction...

Haven't changed at all. The same solid body, the same impeccable assembly, the same hemorrhoids for workers service centers. This is a separate topic for discussion; now I will not dwell on disassembling the device. For the umpteenth time I have experienced this damn pleasant feeling when I open a packed box with a laptop. It is hidden in film, there is a shortcut to quickly get it out, hidden under the MacBook is a power supply, documents, an extension cord for the power supply, and a plug. No company has ever been able to replicate the packaging created by Apple. Perfect. Plus this special smell. In general, if you have ever bought something “apple”, you understand everything perfectly well. There is even something like a gasket between the display and the keyboard, some people use it later.

I don’t have much more to say about the design; I’ll focus on the dimensions. Dimensions are 2.41 x 36.4 x 24.9 cm, weight approximately 2.54 kg. At the same time, the laptop looks and is small due to its precise shape and the absence of protruding parts. Look, for example, at how the legs are made. On the right side there is a button to check the battery charge, next to it there is an indicator. By the number of lit bars you can judge the remaining operating time.

One of the unobvious problems is the self-unscrewing screws on the bottom. Especially if you will often use the laptop on your lap or on your bed. I encounter this all the time on the MBP 17. But even though they are slightly unscrewed, not a single one is lost.

Display

“The 15.4" widescreen glossy LED-backlit screen provides high quality color rendition (millions of colors).” These lines are taken from official page the model under consideration. But, with all due respect, the native resolution is only 1440 x 900 pixels. In other words, soap. When I expressed myself in this spirit on Twitter, I was immediately showered with funny jokes and barbs. Like, well, there is an option with a higher resolution! Why write all sorts of things here!

Yes, all this is true. There are so-called “custom” versions of the MBP 15 with a matte or glossy display, resolution 1680 x 1050 pixels. Very good, in my opinion. One small point: this model very cool to buy in the USA, it will cost about 2400 dollars. In Russia the price is a merciless 100,000 rubles, maybe a little more or a little less. I won’t comment, but the entrance ticket to the world of a matte display is insanely expensive. Honor and praise to the Russian representatives of the company, who, from a fairly democratic brand, create an expensive legend not for everyone.

It’s good that there are sellers of “gray” MBPs in the world. By purchasing an American model in Russia, you can save a lot.

To sum it up: I don't like the display in the regular MBP. It's good for work, but not very good for watching movies or photos. This only confirms my idea that the only truly multimedia laptop in the company’s line is the MBP 17 (we’re talking about basic version, without “custom”).

As with any other laptop from the company, there is automatic brightness adjustment. If desired, the brightness can be reduced to zero, that is, the display becomes black. I want to note something about the colors: there is black here, it is not dark gray. Viewing angles are quite good horizontally, but worse vertically.

Working hours

We need to erect a monument to the person who invented the power supply for MacBooks. When I pick up a massive “fool” for any other laptop, I’m always amazed - is it really impossible to make it so that one cable comes out of the power supply? Or was it possible to remove it? The MBP 15 comes with an extension cord that you can use if you want, but I prefer to keep it away. This white power supply is very good - small, with an original system of magnetic fastening to the connector, retractable legs for cable winding.

I often have to use the phrase “like other Apple laptops,” but like other Apple laptops, the MBP 15 looks like a very strong solution in terms of battery life. The work done in the company over a couple of years is truly enormous: even when buying a fifteen-inch laptop, you can count on at least five to six hours of work. This is the minimum, the stated figures are up to 8-9 hours of battery life. In video playback mode at full brightness, we managed to achieve six hours of playback without stopping, headphones were connected.

Keyboard and touchpad

A keyboard with adjustable backlighting, a glass touchpad with multi-touch support, and that’s about it. As practice shows, the characters on the keyboard are not erased after prolonged use, but the touchpad is just a fairy tale. You get used to it, like everything good, very quickly. You can read about this for a long time and persistently, but it’s better to try at least once to quickly “swipe away” everything yourself open source software or open the list of open applications.

Performance

In general, this is the only important difference between the MBP 15/2010 and the models of last year. Hidden in the depths of the “tags” are three different processors, two Intel versions Core i5 (2.4 GHz or 2.53 GHz) and one i7 (2.66 GHz). The sample we are considering today is the top configuration among the basic, non-custom options. 4 GB installed random access memory(SO-DIMM, two slots), supports up to 8 GB. Two “video cards” are used: NVIDIA GeForce GT330M with 512 MB of memory (256 MB for younger models) and Intel HD Graphics. Switching occurs automatically, depending on what you are doing. Enthusiasts have already written a switch program. First of all, it is needed to independently select a video card - thereby you can increase battery life.

Numbers are good. But I have a lot of experience with MBP 17 with 2.66 GHz processor, it is not i7. 4 GB of RAM installed, NVIDIA video cards GeForce 9400M and 9600M GT. In principle, a fairly fast car. You can even play games - for example, network mode CoD4 is running quite well. You can live.

But compared to the MBP 15, the “old man” I’m using seems to be trailing behind. And you don’t understand this right away. You click on the Safari icon, and the browser opens almost instantly. You create another tab - quickly, without waiting or artifacts appearing on the display. These split seconds act like a drug; everything happens faster, from iTunes working to creating a backup iPhone copies. What's the point of trying to strain yourself to play with toys in order to understand a simple thing - for the MBP line, new processors have long been needed, like a breath of fresh air. Where you are used to slowdowns, now there is only speed.

For players - since modern games are practically not released for Mac OS - the optimal solution would be to install the operating system through BootCamp Windows system and have fun there as much as you like. I have described the process many times, at least here:

Considering that I played Splinter Sell: Conviction on a Sony VAIO F with similar characteristics, I can predict that owners of an MBP 17 with an i7 will have exactly the same pleasure. You can and should play Novie, just don’t expect miracles. In the sense that the laptop will not handle the maximum graphics settings.

And then I will advise you not to even think about graphics-intensive games on the MBP 15. The fact is that this thing was not intended to be game console. The cooling system is efficient enough for quiet use; in essence, the laptop remains slightly warm while surfing the Internet and typing. But as soon as I started Command&Conquer 3, the metal of the bottom turned into some kind of hellish frying pan. The MBP 15 is not very noisy, even under heavy loads you won’t be grimaced by squeals and squeaks. Everything is quiet.

Everything is calm, and this is what makes it scary. Still, in laptops heating, or rather overheating, is one of the common reasons breakdowns. It's one thing to edit a movie on an MBP 15 or work on your photo library. Or watch your favorite TV series for hours. This is fine. But with games, I would advise you to be more careful, take pity on expensive equipment.

A little about “boy meters”. I used Xbench to start with, perhaps not the latest and best coolness level meter, but still. As a result, MBP 17 of the 2009 model received 142.36 points. The result of MBP 15 of the 2009 model is 177.73 points. I also want to give this link, there is an interesting diagram demonstrating the superiority of i7 processors. The results were obtained using Geekbench.

Connections

On the right side there are all kinds of connectors and ports, I will list them:

• MagSafe power connector
• Port Gigabit Ethernet
• 1 FireWire 800 port (up to 800 Mbps)
• Mini DisplayPort
• Two USB port 2.0 (up to 480 Mbit/s)
• SD card slot
• Line audio input
• Audio line out
• Kensington lock slot

I would like to draw your attention to the slot for SD memory cards; they are inserted halfway there. It's more convenient than stuffing it in entirely. But there are few USB ports. I would like three. And this is not some kind of whim, but a necessity, at least my personal one.

The headphone jack is tight, I used apple headphones In-Ear Headset with Mic and Remote. As practice shows, few people know about the capabilities of the accessory paired with MBP. Using the remote control, just like on the iPhone, you can start or pause music playback and move from track to track. It works with QuickTime too. In Skype you can use it for conversations and adjust the volume. In short, a very, very useful thing for a laptop.

Sound

There are two unnamed speakers, there are no scary inscriptions on the body about X-bass and so on, but it’s pleasant to listen to music and watch movies. The volume is high, the sound is clear, maximum values does not break into wheezing. It is quite possible to do without speakers.

Data transfer

There is Wi-Fi (802.11n, naturally, compatible with 802.11 a/b/g), Bluetooth, profile 2.1 with EDR is supported. When you turn it on for the first time, the system prompts you to select an access point; I have an Apple Time Capsule at home, and there were no problems connecting. In Finder (something like Explorer), the network drive of the access point is visible, without any shamanism you can send files there. Naturally, it is possible to operate the mode Time machine- Creation backup copies to restore the system.

Memory

The model under consideration uses HDD 500 GB, possible SSD installation, if you have a lot, a lot of money.

The DVD drive is still there, and I don't think it will be missing from the MacBook Pro anytime soon. Required attribute.

conclusions

Many of my colleagues, acquaintances and friends use MBP 15 as a universal solution, primarily for work. Why? Let's look at the advantages of the laptop:

• Speed!
• Wonderful design, materials, size and weight
• Long working time
• Using one or another video card depending on the tasks being solved (although it is not always clear which component is being used; third-party switching programs can help)
• Small power supply, proprietary MagSafe connector
• The touchpad completely replaces the mouse; people disagree with this thesis for about a week after they started using the MBP, then suddenly they abandon the pointing device forever. In addition, the touchpad greatly simplifies the use of the laptop, so to speak, it adds speed
• Good sound quality (talking about speakers)
• Availability of a slot for SD cards
• 802.11n support, when working with branded access points this matters
• Microphone makes it easy to communicate on Skype without a headset
• Backlit keyboard

There are also disadvantages:

• Only two USB ports
• Many people, after purchasing an MBP, immediately start looking for an adapter to connect an HDMI cable; this is not a clear minus, but nevertheless
• Low display resolution for basic configurations
• Overpriced from Russian dealers

Once again about the price. The US version we're reviewing will cost you $2,199. In Russia - about 95,000 rubles. The Central Bank exchange rate at the time of writing is about 31 rubles per dollar. Relatively speaking, in the USA the model costs about 68,000 rubles. The difference is almost a thousand dollars. You can buy a purebred American from my favorite “hucksters” for about 80,000 rubles. Let me remind you that all you have to do is engrave, and many people do just fine without it.

I specifically pay such attention to prices, because it is painful to see the “price” metamorphoses and the transformation of MBP into a kind of object of luxury, bliss and gloss.

After all, its place is in the bag of a business person who is not ready to waste time fighting viruses, multidimensional settings, waiting for the device to enter or exit sleep mode. With each review I try to tell something new about Apple laptops, and I can’t do without it today. For example, there is such a “lid effect”, you get used to it very quickly - with any MBP, after closing the laptop, the system goes to sleep in a matter of seconds and is activated in a split second when you open the laptop. It’s impossible to get used to this.

The general conclusion regarding MBP 17 is this. This is a versatile laptop for a wide range of tasks, but they will depend heavily on your eyes - literally. If you are corrupted by good laptop displays, then you will not enjoy watching movies on the MBP 15 (for example). In this case, you should think about a “custom” option or pay attention to the MBP 17. Or even to a model from another manufacturer.

In any case, we got a very fast, stable, reliable and long-lasting offline mode car. At the same time, it is small and quiet.

A brilliant laptop - but only in the USA, at a very reasonable price. An “elite” laptop is not for everyone in Russia.

P.S. I’ll immediately answer the typical unspoken question: is it worth changing your MBP 15 to one of the new models? I guess it's not worth it. The year is not over yet, and in the fall or winter we will probably have another update, perhaps even more critical. It may well be that in the next “update” the appearance of the line, the weight will be changed (although the magic will already begin), something positive will happen to the display.

But if you are the owner of the generation before last MBP, then this is a good reason to change the instrument; for you the difference in sensations will be great. Only the display can be a little disappointing.

Sergey Kuzmin ()

Memory

Screen

Video

Storage devices

Expansion slots

Memory cards

Wireless connection

Connection

Nutrition

Before buying ask about technical specifications and a complete set by the seller

Over the years, Apple technology has become almost the standard of reliability, quality and user friendliness. Many people love it for its convenience, beautifully designed interface and the ability to synchronize a laptop, smartphone and tablet of this brand with each other. Another manufacturer’s desire is to always stay on top in terms of using the most modern components. That is why MacBook specifications Pro A1278, released back in 2010, is still relevant. Moreover, some budget laptops are significantly inferior to it in performance, although they were launched on the market recently. Let's briefly understand why exactly it attracts users, and what key features possesses.

Appearance

It is worth noting that Apple is a rather conservative company, which is why the design of devices is very reluctant to change. This happened with this laptop. It is completely identical to its older brother, developed in 2008. And, looking ahead, it is worth noting that the entire model line retained exactly the same design until 2013.

To be fair, this measure can be called very reasonable. After all, a successful design once developed allows you to focus your efforts on improving components and increasing the performance and characteristics of the MacBook Pro A1278. That's why the laptop, released in 2010, is a typical rectangle with rounded edges. The thickness of the upper and lower parts is approximately the same. On the lid of the matrix there is a familiar glowing apple.

Since the manufacturer tried to achieve ease of use, the priority was to reduce weight, which was achieved by eliminating the discrete video adapter and reducing the cooling system. It is immediately worth noting that the characteristics Apple MacBook Pro A1278 was not damaged due to such actions. As a result, the weight of the device slightly exceeds 2 kilograms and is quite comfortable for transportation.

Specifications

The heart of the laptop, depending on the model, is Intel processor Core second or third generation. The frequency varies from 2.5 to 2.9 GHz, the number of cores is always two. Thanks to the use of these processors, the gadget received a fairly powerful integrated video system Intel HD4000, which is capable of handling both simple office tasks and some undemanding games. Thanks to these characteristics, the MacBook Pro 13 A1278 can be a great help to brighten up the wait time for some pleasant entertainment.

In order to be able to run multiple applications simultaneously without extra brakes, laptops are equipped with 4 or 8 GB of RAM, depending on the cost. Each user can decide for himself how expensive a model option he needs. For office tasks, the basic model is quite suitable, however, if you are faced with 3D modeling or processing large databases, then it is better to think about the maximum configuration, in which the characteristics of the MacBook Pro A1278 will be sufficient for rendering videos or building 3D objects. I would like to note that despite the old year of manufacture, this laptop has still not lost its relevance, but has become much cheaper.

Data storage

The manufacturer provides models in which classic mechanical hard disks with a capacity from 320 to 750 gigabytes. There is also a drive that allows you to read and write DVDs and CDs. However, if you don't need it, you can successfully replace it with extra hard disk using a special adapter, which will significantly increase the memory capacity.

If you often use a laptop while traveling, then mechanical hard drives can quickly fail due to the vibration created by transport, especially if you have to travel mainly on buses. In this case, it is advisable to replace them with solid state drives SSDs that are not afraid of physical impact. Moreover, with such information storage devices, the characteristics of the 2010 MacBook Pro A1278 will increase, since the data exchange speed increases by about 10 times.

Display

Apple Company became the first to produce laptops with a diagonal of 13.3 inches. It is thanks to her that they began to be considered a business standard, which is the most comfortable for everyday use by people whose life and work are inextricably linked with computer technology.

Matrix used in this laptop, has a modest resolution of 1280*800 pixels. Its surface is glossy, which may not always be convenient, since the glare of the sun reflects off it and interferes with work. If the problem is relevant for you, then it can be solved with a simple matte protective film, which will not only protect the display from accidental scratches, but will also create a matte coating that blocks glare.

Key selling points include the high-quality FaceTime HD camera. It is customized specifically for the proprietary FaceTime video communication application and has a resolution of 3 megapixels, which allows you to communicate with family and colleagues in a resolution of 1280 * 720 pixels.

The manufacturers of this laptop did not leave aside the issue of exchanging data with other users. In order to speed up the use of USB storage devices, both connectors have a USB version 3.0 interface. This means that the MacBook Pro A1278's specifications allow you to send and download large amounts of data in a short time, as read and write speeds can reach up to 200 megabytes per second. Such drives can be either regular flash drives or external hard drives with an appropriate high-speed interface.

Internet connection is carried out both wired and wirelessly. The built-in Wi-Fi module operates according to the N standard, which allows you to use the Internet at speeds of up to 150 Mbit/s.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that the MacBook Pro 13 model was released back in 2010, it remains relevant to this day. Branded operating system Apple continues to receive ongoing updates related to both security and interface. If there is a need to install Windows or Linux, then there are many instructions on the Internet on how to do this while maintaining the ability to return to the factory MacOS.