The first series of tests published on the Web on the new MacBook was in the shadow of the tests on the highly anticipated Apple Watch late last week. While the watch can be connected to the latest device announced by the Cupertino, the new MacBook is probably just as important, and perhaps even innovative too.
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His radical choices in terms of design, such as its dependence on a single port and an ultra-thin design, make it a potential model for future laptops.
However, as with all high-end devices and innovative, the new MacBook has its share of flaws and frustrations . After falling under the spell of the screen and touchpad, criticism befell the only USB port and keyboard, which is much thinner and much less convenient than the one used in the past. Here is a summary of the various tests carried out by the high-tech specialized press.
MacBook: Design
Predictably, the look and feel of the new MacBook received almost universal praise . Andrew Cunningham Ars Technica noted that it fits perfectly into the current Apple design language, and that "we could almost be forgiven for thinking that the new MacBook Air is an iPad 2 connected to a keyboard dock. "
The size and weight were also impressed. Dana Wollman, who wrote for Engadget, said: "This new machine is much thinner than any other commercially MacBook far: it has a thickness of only 13.1 mm at its thickest point and 3.5 mm at its thinnest point. In other words, there are four stacked credit cards ... ". Several testers said the 12-inch screen seems a good compromise between the 11-inch MacBook Air, which was too small for many users, and 13-inch MacBook Air, which is now a little too big.
MacBook: Connectivity
Apple's decision to include that one USB Type-C port was almost universally criticized , with many judgments doing their best not to focus on this in the final grade. Ars Technica and The Wall Street Journal seems disappointed. Joanna Stern, writing for the latter, says that "the real problems MacBook start with this single-port USB Type-C" . The testers noted that with a single port, it is almost impossible to use the new MacBook for some tasks. For example, it can not be used with multiple external displays.
However, many have tempered their criticism by mentioning a single port USB Type-C could be more useful in the future. Jason Snell of Macworld wrote that "gradually, over time, the use of the port on the MacBook will not be a problem. USB-C is a new technology which is very exciting. You do not have to worry about whether you're plugging in reverse or not your external device, and will save you time and frustration. "
It is clear that the only USB port is a risky move for Apple, and multiport adapter Digital AV USB-C costs 89 euros, which will get the package price at more than 1,500 euros. The issue of this port will be clearly a deal for many potential buyers.
MacBook 2015 keyboard and touchpad
Most of the comments praised the vaunted "butterfly" keyboard mechanism, but not without a learning curve . Dieter Bohn of The Verge summarizes this, stating: "At first, I hated that. It's weird to have so little back on every move button when I press one of them. But it did not take long to get used to. " Most testers have expressed a similar sentiment, with an unpleasant feeling at first, but after a period of adjustment, it allows quick and precise use.
On the other hand, the Touch trackpad Force has received almost universal praise. Bohn described as "not applicable", as Darrell Etherington, writing for TechCrunch, which mentions that the "new trackpad Force Touch is an excellent example of all new Apple technology that allows this laptop to excel this sector. " Unlike the keyboard, which requires a learning period, the touchpad is instantly and obviously excellent.
MacBook 2015 performance
The MacBook has a Core Mr. processor Designed to save power and afford not superimpose a fan in the chassis, rather than offering brutal performance, the chip is known to be slower than a typical Intel Core i5 . The testers seem divided on how this impacts for everyday use on the MacBook.
Ars Technica has conducted a series of the most comprehensive tests, and found that the performance of the system is between a MacBook Air 2011 and 2012. Even if he can "do almost everything the Air is" MacBook is not swift, and it is significantly slower than the MacBook Pro 13-inch. Ars also noted that the device can not display the 4K video at 60 Hz, which makes it a poor choice for use with Ultra HD screens or televisions.
MacBook 2015: autonomy
The modest performance may be acceptable if the autonomy of the laptop lives up to our expectations. But again, the new MacBook has made compromises. While its Core M saves energy, the battery is more small since the device is physically smaller than the MacBook Air or Pro 13-inch.
The result is a shorter autonomy . Each test that compared the autonomy of the MacBook to other Mac found it was lower. In fact, it seems that the new MacBook provides up to 25% less compared to the MacBook Air 2015, and about 20% less than the MacBook Pro 13 2015 with its Retina display.
Engadget posted 7 hours and 47 minutes of battery life for the MacBook compared to 11 hours and 23 minutes of the MacBook Pro 13 in 2015, and 12 hours and 51 minutes of the 2015 MacBook Air 13-inch. That's a big difference!
MacBook 2015: nice compromise
Overall, the testers seemed to agree that the MacBook is the next generation of laptops from Cupertino . It is slim, light and simple, relying on a single port for connecting to all except the audio that allows connecting headphones easily.
However, the laptop is also slower than other Mac and many alternatives to Windows. Unfortunately, this has no impact on the autonomy of our greatest despair. Maybe these problems could be excused if the price was low, but the cheapest model sold 1 449 euros, the same price as the MacBook Pro with Retina display 13 inches. Of course, it is a much larger computer, but it is better in each metric, except for the size and weight.
This is a rather lukewarm reception for a new laptop from Apple, and shows that the new MacBook is not for everyone.
See also : BQ Ubuntu Phone is now available for anyone
His radical choices in terms of design, such as its dependence on a single port and an ultra-thin design, make it a potential model for future laptops.
MacBook: Design
Predictably, the look and feel of the new MacBook received almost universal praise . Andrew Cunningham Ars Technica noted that it fits perfectly into the current Apple design language, and that "we could almost be forgiven for thinking that the new MacBook Air is an iPad 2 connected to a keyboard dock. "
MacBook: Connectivity
Apple's decision to include that one USB Type-C port was almost universally criticized , with many judgments doing their best not to focus on this in the final grade. Ars Technica and The Wall Street Journal seems disappointed. Joanna Stern, writing for the latter, says that "the real problems MacBook start with this single-port USB Type-C" . The testers noted that with a single port, it is almost impossible to use the new MacBook for some tasks. For example, it can not be used with multiple external displays.
It is clear that the only USB port is a risky move for Apple, and multiport adapter Digital AV USB-C costs 89 euros, which will get the package price at more than 1,500 euros. The issue of this port will be clearly a deal for many potential buyers.
MacBook 2015 keyboard and touchpad
Most of the comments praised the vaunted "butterfly" keyboard mechanism, but not without a learning curve . Dieter Bohn of The Verge summarizes this, stating: "At first, I hated that. It's weird to have so little back on every move button when I press one of them. But it did not take long to get used to. " Most testers have expressed a similar sentiment, with an unpleasant feeling at first, but after a period of adjustment, it allows quick and precise use.
MacBook 2015 performance
The MacBook has a Core Mr. processor Designed to save power and afford not superimpose a fan in the chassis, rather than offering brutal performance, the chip is known to be slower than a typical Intel Core i5 . The testers seem divided on how this impacts for everyday use on the MacBook.
Ars Technica has conducted a series of the most comprehensive tests, and found that the performance of the system is between a MacBook Air 2011 and 2012. Even if he can "do almost everything the Air is" MacBook is not swift, and it is significantly slower than the MacBook Pro 13-inch. Ars also noted that the device can not display the 4K video at 60 Hz, which makes it a poor choice for use with Ultra HD screens or televisions.
MacBook 2015: autonomy
The modest performance may be acceptable if the autonomy of the laptop lives up to our expectations. But again, the new MacBook has made compromises. While its Core M saves energy, the battery is more small since the device is physically smaller than the MacBook Air or Pro 13-inch.
Engadget posted 7 hours and 47 minutes of battery life for the MacBook compared to 11 hours and 23 minutes of the MacBook Pro 13 in 2015, and 12 hours and 51 minutes of the 2015 MacBook Air 13-inch. That's a big difference!
MacBook 2015: nice compromise
Overall, the testers seemed to agree that the MacBook is the next generation of laptops from Cupertino . It is slim, light and simple, relying on a single port for connecting to all except the audio that allows connecting headphones easily.
However, the laptop is also slower than other Mac and many alternatives to Windows. Unfortunately, this has no impact on the autonomy of our greatest despair. Maybe these problems could be excused if the price was low, but the cheapest model sold 1 449 euros, the same price as the MacBook Pro with Retina display 13 inches. Of course, it is a much larger computer, but it is better in each metric, except for the size and weight.
This is a rather lukewarm reception for a new laptop from Apple, and shows that the new MacBook is not for everyone.