For many, Apple and its MacBooks are shrouded in mystery and intrigue.
But behind the glossy finish is a world of myths, theories, and legends.
Here are 9 of the fascinating myths about the brand and its products.
- The Apple Logo Has No Deeper Meaning
People have vivid imaginations and like to create narratives that fit their view. Which is why you can find stories about Apple’s logo representing that of the apple in the biblical Adam and Eve story.
Or how a fruit fell on Isaac Newton, which then led to the discovery of gravity. Finally, some claim that the founders of the company drew inspiration from Alan Turing, the man responsible for paving the way for modern computers.
In reality, and this was confirmed by Rob Janoff, the man behind the logo, the story is not as romantic as it may seem.
The creator settled on an apple and added a bite for the sake of scale so people do not mix it with a cherry.
- Apple Was Founded in a Garage
From humble beginnings come grand successes – at least what this popular myth about Apple’s origins claims.
But it appears that this isn’t actually completely true; Steve Wozniak in an interview clarified that while the story summed up their then financial condition perfectly, the garage was only used for storing and testing finished products and not for any important work such as designing or prototyping.
- MacBooks Last Longer Than Other Laptops
Many think that longevity is another aspect in favor of Apple computers because they use higher-end parts and have been “tuned up” by Apple engineers before selling them at retail locations.
In reality, there is no evidence to suggest that any single laptop brand is made better than the rest when it comes to durability or longevity. As such, you should definitely learn about Applecare+ benefits and what it can do to help you gain some peace of mind about your computer’s reliability.
- Macs Don’t Crash As Much As Windows PCs
Many Apple fanboys would like to believe that Macs crash less than Windows-powered PCs thanks to a very optimized macOS and better hardware-software integration.
However, serious interruptions in the form of kernel panic restarts are quite common in macOS devices and could be caused by failing hardware, corrupted HDD/SSD, poorly-programmed software, etc.
- All MacBooks Are Waterproof
The idea that all Apple computers are waterproof is totally false; while some models may be designed with water-resistant components, such as keyboards or ports, this doesn’t mean they’re completely safe from damage due to water exposure.
So if you’re ever caught in a rainstorm with your laptop out, make sure you get to shelter quickly.
- You Can Upgrade Your RAM To Improve Performance
Computers and gadgets in general can get slow over time — possibly due to poorly-optimized software updates or outdated hardware, which is why it is common to seek ways to improve the MacBook’s performance.
One of the myths regarding this issue is how one can add additional memory to the device. The fact of the matter is that you can upgrade the memory only in these models:
- MacBooks from 2008-2011
- All MacBook Pro 17-inch models
- 15-inch models from 2008 to 2012
- 13-inch models from 2009 to 2012
If you have a MacBook Air or a more recent Mac Pro, then RAM modifications are out of the question.
- MacBooks Are the Most Expensive Computers
Yes, in general, MacBooks cost more than other laptops (especially Windows-based ones); however, when compared side-by-side with similar specifications and performance, there is often only a small price difference between brands.
With careful shopping, consumers can find great deals on both types without sacrificing desired features.
- MacBooks are the lightest laptops
Appearance can be quite deceiving, but MacBooks are in fact not the lightest laptop lineup in the market.
As a matter of fact, they don’t even come up in the top five list of lightweight laptops, which includes Fujitsu Lifebook UH-X at 0.64kg, Fujitsu Lifebook UH75 at 0.787kg, Fujitsu Lifebook UH90 at 0.84kg, Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 13 at 0.868kg, and Asus ExpertBook B9 at 0.88kg.
But, credit where credit’s due… the 2022 M2-powered MacBook Air is the thinnest laptop in the market right now at just 0.44 inches.
- Everyone loves Touch Bar
Apple in 2016 did away the physical function and escape keys on MacBook Pro in favor of a touch-friendly Touch Bar that not only displays function keys but also acts as quick shortcut to adjust settings, performs tasks in apps, and more.
But unfortunately the Touch Bar upgrade, as unique as it may be, was not — and is still not — well received by the Apple community. Thankfully, Apple have brought back the physical escape key in 2020 MacBook Pro models after getting a lot of negative feedback from users, especially developers.