12 Inch Macbook in 2024

[racer1441]

Would you go for a secondary machine being the 12 inch MacBook?

I'm running a m3 MacBook Pro for the big production stuff but would love something nice and small like the MacBook to just do word processing and internet browsing.

How's the MacBook holding up after all this time to that stuff?

Opinions welcome for sure.

 

[McMack]

Until I got my M-chip Macs (only a few months ago) my 12" 2015 MacBook (all baseline specs) was doing software development. It wasn't my primary but it was a senior secondary. I was running Xcode and an iPhone simulator under Sonoma on OCLP. It was also word processing and internet browsing -- sometimes at the same time. Granted it wasn't doing the software dev/Sonoma thing very fast, but it was more than adequate. As for things like Word and browsing, not even an issue. Some websites might chug occasionally, but other than that, absolutely fine.

If I could get hold of an A-grade refurb or a brand new one at a decent price, I'd get another in case this one breaks. One of the best computers I've ever owned. Granted, I must have bought one of the magic few never to have a keyboard issue, but IMO the model's continued poor reputation is unjustified.

I've been trying to put Linux on it, but amusingly it turns out that the 2015 12" is the worst possible Mac to put Linux on. I can get it up and running and KDE Plasma looks gorgeous on the retina screen, but the keyboard will never wake from Sleep and it's an issue with every distro. Somehow it only increases my affection for the thing.

 

[canuckRus]

Would you go for a secondary machine being the 12 inch MacBook?

I'm running a m3 MacBook Pro for the big production stuff but would love something nice and small like the MacBook to just do word processing and internet browsing.

How's the MacBook holding up after all this time to that stuff?

Opinions welcome for sure.

My all-time favourite. Sadly erased OS but was unable to restore.

 

[McMack]

My all-time favourite. Sadly erased OS but was unable to restore.

I thought I'd done the same at one point a few weeks ago. I wanted to give up on Linux and started the MacOS restore process on the machine itself and could just about get it to restore Yosemite(!). Then I just made a bootable Big Sur USB on another Mac using the Apple guide, which worked. https://support.apple.com/en-gb/101578

I've since tried again with Linux and am determined to get something usable out of it. Like I said, Linux works on the 2015 MB 12" and works beautifully, but the keyboard and trackpad won't ever wake from sleep, making it mostly useless for my needs, and unlike most Linux problems this one doesn't seem to have been cracked by the community.

 

[1madman1]

I have a top spec 2017 that I use daily. Works just fine for MS Office and web browsing, I feel no need top replace it as my secondary portable.

Only complaint - at least in later versions of Mac OS - is that the default display scaling renders the UI far too large. Apple assumes everyone is blind and has the UI elements so large that many fixed size dialog boxes are just cut off the screen. Scaling the display to a higher resolution has a *significant* impact on performance, but it's a must for usability.

The 12" always been too frustratingly slow for photo work - at least with raw images. Games are a lost cause not just due to speed but display driver issues.

 

[ccbc]

I literally just purchased one yesterday! A 2016 base model (1.1Ghz m3) for CA$60! Granted, the space bar is to be fixed (unhinged, so it can come off). It was running El Capitan (for whatever reason) and it was flying. I installed Big Sur on it and it is, to my surprise, quite fast for basic things. No slowdown. And the keyboard is "awkward first, then rewarding" to type on. It needs more force, but it feels more natural than typing on a touchscreen for sure.

Am I going to keep it? Unsure. I like the format, but my M1 MBA is difficult to replace, even with 0.6 lbs weight difference and the reduced size.

No Touch ID and a single port (that can become loose with time) could be deal-breakers for some I imagine.

 

[MayaUser]

a secondary Mac would never be a macbook if i already have another laptop

 

[ignatius345]

I'd love something equivalent to that 12" Retina MacBook -- but the horrible keyboard, anemic processor and mediocre battery life are just one dealbreaker after another.

 

[ccbc]

I'd love something equivalent to that 12" Retina MacBook -- but the horrible keyboard, anemic processor and mediocre battery life are just one dealbreaker after another.

Have you tried one? It is not that bad. Battery life is 10-hr, that was stellar few years ago before the M1.

 

[ignatius345]

Have you tried one? It is not that bad. Battery life is 10-hr, that was stellar few years ago before the M1.

I did have one for a hot minute. I don't remember the battery life being anywhere near that good -- but then again I also got rid of it as fast as I could because of the "keyboard".

 

[ccbc]

I did have one for a hot minute. I don't remember the battery life being anywhere near that good -- but then again I also got rid of it as fast as I could because of the "keyboard".

You’re kind of right. I am still in the fence to keep it or not. The big pro for me is to dump it in a backpack and not worrying about danage or theft.

 

[ignatius345]

You’re kind of right. I am still in the fence to keep it or not. The big pro for me is to dump it in a backpack and not worrying about danage or theft.

Definitely something to be said for a beater laptop like that. I loved the weight of that thing. My M1 Air is not massively heavy, but it's not in that "can barely tell if it's in your backpack" category, at least for me.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Would you go for a secondary machine being the 12 inch MacBook?

I'm running a m3 MacBook Pro for the big production stuff but would love something nice and small like the MacBook to just do word processing and internet browsing.

How's the MacBook holding up after all this time to that stuff?

Opinions welcome for sure.

Why not a 13-inch iPad Air instead?

 

[DaneTheGr8]

I am actually using a 2015 MacBook Retina with Big Sur as as my secondary PC and when I don't need to do work data heavy tasks I find myself using this baby more than my MacBook Pro M1 and love the portability so grabbing it and going and working on the go is a dream and works perfectly!

Go ahead and see if you can find 2017 version as it supports the latest MacOS but even the baseline 2015 is great for me!

 

[minik]

If Apple re-introduced the 12-inch MacBook, I'll let go my M1 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro. I have the Apple Studio Display and another 4K monitor on my desk, screen real estate isn't really an issue.

 

[Ango83]

I am actually using a 2015 MacBook Retina with Big Sur as as my secondary PC and when I don't need to do work data heavy tasks I find myself using this baby more than my MacBook Pro M1 and love the portability so grabbing it and going and working on the go is a dream and works perfectly!

Go ahead and see if you can find 2017 version as it supports the latest MacOS but even the baseline 2015 is great for me!

Exactly this. A few weeks ago I bought a 2017 i7 16gb/512 MacBook 12 for £375. I know, I know, a bit steep but I just couldn’t resist experiencing the 12 inch form factor. I thought I’d end up returning it but after finding it to be in pristine condition and just gorgeous and fully functional, it was a really easy decision to keep it. My main rig is a MBP 16 M1 and I have an iPad Pro 12.9 (2018). The MacBook has become my go to device for web browsing, YouTube, simple word processing tasks and emails. I absolutely love it! Admittedly there’s some novelty still but I just adore the form factor and portability. The air 13 is a small device but in terms of portability this is in another league! Yes it has many shortcomings (I wouldn’t necessarily want to type on it all day but I honestly don’t think the keyboard is that bad at all; any semblance of gaming causes it to heat up comically; battery life is 4-5 hours if using for web browsing/email; one port which doesn’t bother me since I don’t use any peripherals with it), but I’ve found it to be a joy to use. The speaker is great, the screen is gorgeous, and the build quality is fantastic. It wouldn’t work at all as one’s main computer but as a secondary device for light computing on the go it’s just brilliant. I’m running Ventura and it doesn’t miss a beat. As with everyone else here if they released an M version with perhaps a second port it would be my ideal portable computer!

 

[Ango83]

Why not a 13-inch iPad Air instead?

Simply iPad os

 

[Yebubbleman]

Simply iPad os

What do you need to do on a device of that size that iPadOS cannot accommodate?

 

[ccbc]

What do you need to do on a device of that size that iPadOS cannot accommodate?

I'll reply.
I have no desire to use a touch screen, I prefer the precision of a touchpad and a keyboard with an OS designed for that.

Also, mp3 files management has to be done on MacOS to add them to Music.app. Unable to do on iPad OS.

 

[The Samurai]

Picked up a 12" 2017 16gb/256 for £250 - fab machine.

 

[Ango83]

What do you need to do on a device of that size that iPadOS cannot accommodate?

Anything that requires basic computing. I love my iPad Pro and if I’m taking notes (even typed) whilst reading a pdf or watching a lecture it’s my go to in split screen. But for most other basic things I prefer Mac OS. Simple things like being able to open email attachments in ms office, edit and save them somewhere and send as attachments, super simple on a computer but a headache on an iPad. For media consumption the iPad is king though

 

[Ango83]

I'll reply.
I have no desire to use a touch screen, I prefer the precision of a touchpad and a keyboard with an OS designed for that.

Also, mp3 files management has to be done on MacOS to add them to Music.app. Unable to do on iPad OS.

Yes I recently discovered the music thing on my iPad which is a shame since I have the 512gb model and would’ve quite liked to have my old music library on there

 

[ccbc]

Yes I recently discovered the music thing on my iPad which is a shame since I have the 512gb model and would’ve quite liked to have my old music library on there

I've been told multiple times to let it go and subscribe to Spotify or Apple Music, but I just can't leave someone else decide what I listen to, based on algorithm.

 

[Ango83]

I've been told multiple times to let it go and subscribe to Spotify or Apple Music, but I just can't leave someone else decide with I listen to, based on algorithm.

The streaming services have their place but for me, nothing quite beats having your own catalogue amassed over the years to browse through!

 

[ForkHandles]

Would you go for a secondary machine being the 12 inch MacBook?

I'm running a m3 MacBook Pro for the big production stuff but would love something nice and small like the MacBook to just do word processing and internet browsing.

How's the MacBook holding up after all this time to that stuff?

Opinions welcome for sure.

This 12" MacBook is fantastic for travelling around the world. Small, lightweight and versatile. I make videos of my journeys on my iPhone and Airdropthe content directly to the MacBook for use in iMovie.
It will even render in 4K which is pretty impressive, obviously time is a factor, my M2 MacBook Pro would rip through a 5 minute film. But I am travelling not trying to earn money so it just isn't a factor.

If I lose it or break it then no worries, its $250 for a replacement! I'm not signed into any of my usual services so my ID is safe too.

It's a great to have travel laptop.