The latest version of Apple’s insanely popular MacBook range
has finally landed, and it’s bound to divide opinions. It’s expensive, has
limited connectivity options and one of the most interesting keyboards we’ve
seen on a laptop, which some will love, and others will hate. But it’s also
beautiful, and light, and a sign of things to come. Whether or not it’s the
right laptop for you will very much be determined by whether you’re happy to
handle its many limitations in exchange for such an iconic product.
At just 920 grams, this is one of the lightest mainstream
laptops on offer. In fact, it’s even lighter than the MacBook Air, which is
supposed to be Apple’s ultra-portable range. It’s incredibly thin, measuring a
mere 13mm at its deepest point, and the twelve inch screen means it’s also
rather narrow. As usual, it’s built from Apple’s brilliant aluminum chassis,
giving it a sturdiness that other laptops in this price range can only aspire
to. It’s now available in three colors – the usual silver, as well as gold and
space grey.
Due to the extremely thin nature of the chassis, the range
of input and output options is almost non-existent. A single USB 3.1 port is
include, of the brand new C variety. Yep, just one USB port, and it’s so new
that none of your existing USB devices will work with it unless you can find a
USB C adaptor. This fact alone will deter those with a fetish for adding
additional devices, yet many users won’t find this to be an issue. The inclusion
of Bluetooth 4.0 and 802.11ac Wi-Fi means it’s possible to connect most new
devices wirelessly. A single stereo headphone output takes care of audio
duties. Despite the small dimensions, Apple has managed to cram a full-sized
keyboard into the MacBook, and it stretches all the way to each edge of the
bottom half of the laptop. However, due to the shallow base, Apple has had to
redesign the mechanism behind each key, and it came up with a design it calls a
butterfly spring. It’s extremely odd to use, at least at first. Each key barely
has any travel when pressed; it’s only when you see the key stroke show up on
screen that it registers that you have actually pressed the key.
Frankly speaking, it feels horrible at first, but after a
day or two typing becomes natural and speed The touchpad has also been given an
overhaul, and features the new Force Touch trackpad. This can measure how hard
your fingers are pressing on the pad, which can be used to increase the
thickness in drawing programs. It’s also able to process a range of gestures
for use as shortcuts within a range of Apple programs. Even the simple act of
clicking has been redesigned, with clicks now registering anywhere on the touch
pad.
The Retina display crams in a heady resolution of 2304 x
1440 pixels into the twelve inch display, making it incredibly crisp and clear.
The 178 degree viewing angle suggests it’s an IPS display, and both color and
contrast performance are spot on. Compared to other laptops the hardware within
isn’t exactly mind-blowing. An Intel Core-M CPU is included, though Apple don’t
state what model it is. The version in our model runs at 1.1GHz, boosting to
2.4GHz when the going gets tough. It’s passively cooled, so the laptop remains
whisper quiet no matter how hard you push it. 8GB of DDR3 1600 memory is also
included, along with a 256GB PCIe SSD. Despite it not being top-tier hardware,
this combination delivers extremely smooth and responsive performance, an
incredible feat considering just how small the overall chassis is.
Whether or not the new MacBook is for you will come down to
two key decisions. Firstly, does the iOS ecosystem deliver for all of your
needs? If so, you’ll then need to decide if the lack of connectivity and
divisive keyboard design are worth the accompanying increase in mobility offered
by such a small and light product. There’s also a third question to answer – is
your laptop as much a fashion accessory as it is a way to get work done? If the
answer is yes, then the MacBook has no rival.
0 comments:
Post a Comment