Overview and operating experience of 13 "MacBook Air 2013: easy, fast and tenacious laptop for work and life

In June, Apple introduced an updated line of its mobile MacBook Air laptops this year. Just at this time I seriously thought about in order to move to the Mac with Windows - even more so, my old vindovyh laptop is not very good at their tasks. Not long choosing, I opted for the new Ayr and has not lost. Within a month, I actively use it as their main working tool, so I had to lay down their impression of him who is willing to share with you. Thus, a review of the 13-inch MacBook Air in 2013 - the latest mobile laptop from Apple.

Model selection and purchase

It was my first the Mac, so before you choose a particular model, I formulated the tasks for which it is necessary to me. I wanted it to be a lightweight, mobile a full working tool that lives a long life on a single charge and quickly perform the necessary tasks I - Web surfing, word processing and e-mail. Obviously, the MacBook Pro is not very suitable for such purposes - I'm not going to write the music and edit video, and discrete graphics I was not needed.

You know, Air, in this case - the best choice. He fits perfectly into the desired model I use. It remained to determine the complete set and screen sizes. 11 inches - probably a good choice, but no one will argue that the 13-inch - it is better and more convenient. "Only" 9 - the more so as the 13-inch model, for, while the 11-dyuymovka Apple assurances, working on a single charge up to 12 hours. The price difference between them is small - I did not see the sense to save 3-4 thousand rubles, exchanged for a smaller screen size and operating time.

I was enough standard c 128 GB SSD and a 1.3 GHz processor Intel Core i5 new generation, and 4 GB of RAM. Judging by the reviews I read online and the advice of my friends, so filling I had enough "of the eye." I have to say that this is true.

Having defined the model and complete set, I ordered a laptop in one of the federal network of stores for 45 thousand rubles. Someone may say that it is expensive, but believe me - these laptops on Windows with the same iron fillings are only slightly cheaper.

What's in the white box?

Week of anxious waiting has ended and I finally picked up his brand new Air to the point of issue.

Expectedly, MacBook Air was packed into a beautiful thick white box on the front side which depicts the MacBook itself, on the sides - inscription and logo MacBook Air Apple. All in the best traditions of the apple company.

Inside the box lay in the tray itself MacBook with glued film, under it - a small instruction, Charger MagSafe 2.0 device with an extension cord and adapter and the "apple" stickers. More nothing in the box. It is a common story for Apple's, everything seems to have become accustomed to such packaging of their products - and anyway, impressions "anpekinga" consist exclusively positive, as such packaging can see for the first time.

Now let's take a more detailed look at the laptop itself, which hides a lot of interesting things.

Housing and connectors

Housing 13-inch Air in 2013 has not changed in comparison with the previous models. This is all well monolithic aluminum frame sections with a monitor, klavitauru touchpad and connectors. Laptop assembled perfectly, no complaints on the quality of the build is not - everything is done, they say, the conscience. Nothing backlash, no squeaks, the details fit perfectly.

Connectors are arranged at the lateral ends of the device. On the left side - connector MagSafe 2.0, USB 3.0 port, 3.5mm headphone jack, and 2 built-in microphones.

On the right side is a port Thunderbolt, USB 3.0 and card reader for SDHC cards. It is worth noting that the 11-inch model of the card reader is deprived, so if you often work with photographs, the 13-inch model for you would be preferred.

Above the screen is a good FaceTime HD camera, which is enough for video calls and unpretentious "crossbow." Under the screen is the keyboard and the touchpad, which we discuss below. The body hidden built-in speakers - they are quite loud, but to call the sound that they produce, the quality - the language does not turn. For movies and TV shows better use headphones or external speakers.

Monitor, keyboard and touchpad

Monitor my Air - a 13.3-inch matrix with a resolution of 1440x900 pixels. It's certainly not Retina, but after my old laptop looks very good. Color reproduction - is pleasant and natural, brightness - to be good, viewing angles - the same, only under very strong corners of the picture fades. But something tells me that you will not look at a laptop with such an unnatural angle. In general, I liked the screen, while the Retina, of course, would not be superfluous.

In many web complained of "cold" and faded color monitors in the new Air. Let's just say a special "coolness" I did not notice at first, but thanks to a straightforward calibration, it is really possible to achieve the best results. I, for example, I use profile by MacRumorsAnd completely happy with it - the picture became a little warmer colors in rich measure.

The keyboard on the Air - a full-size, it does not have a digital "telephone" key block, but any inconvenience on this issue is absolutely not feel. Key travel - soft and pleasant, after such a keyboard to use some other no desire does not arise. The size of the buttons themselves - the best, on the one hand the probability to miss you a little bit, but on the other - the keyboard does not occupy a lot of space on the body. It has a backlit, which can be adjusted. It helps a lot if you work at night or, for example, in a coffee shop with dim lighting.

Touchpad - is also a strong point of Ayr. Previously, I was even on his laptop to use the mouse, because the built-in touchpads on most of them were terrible. They do not respond to touch, do not always respond to touch. In Eire with it there is no problem, even more - to use the mouse after such a touchpad makes no sense. He's big enough, perfectly responds to the pressing and quickly respond to the movement. Plus, OS X itself is largely intended for use on the touchpad - it supports a variety of gestures. In general, a touch pad in conjunction with OS X - really cool thing.

Productivity and vitality

As I already said, my Air features a 1.3 GHz Intel Core i5 Haswell series 4GB DDR3-RAM memory operating at a frequency of 1600 MHz, 128 GB SSD-disk and the integrated graphics Intel HD 5000. Such a set is more than enough for my needs. Plus, it is possible and simple toys to play to play, and work in Lightroom, and Full-HD-videos to watch. In general, the Air is able to do all that I need and more.

GeekBench 2 test for my Air mode 64-bit testing showed the following results:

Frankly, I do not trust the synthetic tests, but these figures may be useful to someone. For me, more important than the actual performance of the device - and with this, Air, as I said, everything is fine. laptop wakes up from sleep mode 4 seconds - and, after the "awakening" it is immediately ready for use. Chrome and Safari opens for 3-4 seconds, an email client - 2-3, a text editor is run with the same speed. Lightroom opens for 5-6 seconds. At the same time, Air Virtually no heat and no noise - that goes without saying, the buzz.

It can result in long data about how long run the program, but the essence is - everything works and runs very fast. For all the time I almost did not come across with any "brakes" in the work. All of it is not only good hardware, but also the most beautiful optimizing OS X. Moreover, in the Mavericks, which will be released in the near future, Apple has continued to work on the optimization of OS X, and energy efficiency.

Here we come to the fun part. At the presentation in June, Apple announced that the new 13-inch Air can operate without recharging for up to 12 hours. Is it really so? In fact, it all depends on how you use your laptop and what programs are using.

94% Charging using Chrome

So, if you are using Safari, the Air will last longer than if you work in Chrome. He stands 10-11 hours of web surfing over Wi-Fi on Safari-enabled e-mail client, Skype and text editor. If you, like me, are using Chrome, you the result, alas, is reduced to 7-8 hours.

But even this result is very worthy. Any other notebook on the market, I am sure, would have proved himself worse. It is hoped that Chrome will eventually become less greedy and power-saving technologies in the Mavericks and increase the operating time.

By the way, fully charged with the help of Air MagSafe 2.0 for about 2-2.5 hours - pretty good result, think?

The main thing that Apple has managed to achieve: you can safely take the MacBook Air with you and work with him the whole time, not worrying about its battery. It really is a wonderful combination - a great performance and a great time. It will be interesting to see how things have changed after the Mavericks.

operating experience

Mobile "hunky"

As I wrote, I actively use the new Air for a month - working on it every day for 4-8 hours with breaks. I charge him, on average, once a day and a half - the benefit of the work and allows you to work with virtually no recall of the battery.

At first I could not get used to the keyboard and touchpad - by themselves they are very comfortable, but the hand is "remembered" more great location right mouse from the computer and did not want to be friends with a touchpad, which is located directly under the keyboard. But it was a matter of habit - and a half week any discomfort I experienced.

Needless to say, the work is fun on this laptop. Everything works fast, no brakes, comfortable keys, touchpad - the same screen brightness and keypad backlight can be adjusted by itself. Everything has to ensure that no problems to focus on the desired objective and just work. Especially because with Eyre can work anywhere.

After Air rightly justifies its "air" name. I know that it is written by all and always, but he really incredibly thin and light! It weighs "three hundred pounds", and together with a cover - and a half. After my last 2.5-pound "monster" the difference is very great. Laptop in the bag can be easily put into an ordinary bag or buy a special "suitcase" for him. It does not take much space, but you will always have at hand a complete tool.

transition difficulties

When I bought the Air, then heard a lot about the difficulties of transition from Windows on OS X, they say, the first time you will hate the Mac. I do not know what these concerns are related, but I have no problems with it. OS X - is clear and logical system to which it is easy to get used to. The main thing, I think, is to learn the keyboard shortcuts (actually speeds up), get used to the location of the buttons on the keyboard and "make friends" with the touchpad. Especially because OS X, as I said, very favorable to work with him.

At the Air, though there are some small "schools" that do not affect the general impression of the laptop. Firstly, sometimes the new Air can arbitrarily "fill", but I have this happen only once every 2-3 days. Second, users complained about the "falling off» Wi-Fi and an arbitrary change in volume when watching videos. I personally with such problems are not encountered. But judging by the reviews, all these "sherehovatosti" already polished in the Developer Preview Mavericks, so that when the new OS X will be released, these problems will be solved.

What is the result?

After living with the new Air for about a month, I can confidently say - with my purchase I was very pleased. MacBook completely worth every ruble spent on him, giving its owner the opportunity to not compromise. Easy, convenient, efficient and long lasting working tool - and no "but." Here's how you can describe in a few words my MacBook.

Specific words deserves and the operating system OS X - after Windows is a real breath of fresh air. All fast and stable, nothing slows down and does not take off. Good applications - much control - convenient. The first time did not even believe that the computer can work as well. But it not only can, but should work like this.

MacBook Air may be suitable as a first for Mac switchers with Windows, because of its relatively low price. If you do not play strong toy, and you do not need the application that there is only a "window", you can absolutely safely pass on the Mac. To all the features you get used to the platform within 1-2 weeks.

If you are considering about buying a good mobile notebook for working with the Internet, email, texts and documents, the Air - it's a great, no-compromise solution. Perfectly assembled, clear and long-running, user-friendly and easy - that's such epithets I will reward the 13-inch MacBook Air 2013. He left me with only good impressions.