12" Macbook still worth it in 2020?

[DanTat]

I had a 2017 12 inch macbook and the screen hinge started to get loose and the display started to not work properly

I traded it in at apple and got an ipad pro plus a new macbook (was trying out both air and pro) but eventually just returned the macbook as I'm still considering waiting for the ARM macbooks.

I came across the 12 inch macbook 2017 on amazon refurbished for around 1000 CAD
Not sure if its worth it in 2020 to get another 12 inch macbook until arm comes out? Is it still worth investing in a 12 inch macbook 3 years after its been released? or would you get the base model air? since it similar price

I initially considered using my ipad pro with magic keyboard until arm comes out but with the wear and tear of the keyboard for 400$ ..... maybe i should just get the 12 inch macbook. It's a great size and weight especially for travel, the magickeyboard + ipad pro 11 is heavier than the 12 inch

 

[now i see it]

I just got a used 2016 MacBook and got the keyboard replaced for free from Apple - and it's like a brand new computer. Zero complaints. Nice fanless design. More than adequate for casual computing (and way more versatile than an iPad).

 

[madat42]

If you want to roll the dice, you can get a used 2017 i7/1.4, 16GB, 512GB model on eBay for around $1K+/-. I think it's worth it if you want a fan-less MacBook now. If the ARM MacBook Pro is less than a year away I'd say wait. But do we know when they'll be out?

 

[The Samurai]

If your getting a crazy bargain then yes otherwise just wait

 

[mbdownunder]

I've had my 2017 12" MacBook for almost two years and I love it, but if I was buying a MacBook right now I would probably lean towards the 2020 Air. The 12" is still very capable for a lot of tasks, so it might be the better option if portability is a big priority for you.

 

[bizthewiz]

I had a 2017 12 inch macbook and the screen hinge started to get loose and the display started to not work properly

I traded it in at apple and got an ipad pro plus a new macbook (was trying out both air and pro) but eventually just returned the macbook as I'm still considering waiting for the ARM macbooks.

I came across the 12 inch macbook 2017 on amazon refurbished for around 1000 CAD
Not sure if its worth it in 2020 to get another 12 inch macbook until arm comes out? Is it still worth investing in a 12 inch macbook 3 years after its been released? or would you get the base model air? since it similar price

I initially considered using my ipad pro with magic keyboard until arm comes out but with the wear and tear of the keyboard for 400$ ..... maybe i should just get the 12 inch macbook. It's a great size and weight especially for travel, the magickeyboard + ipad pro 11 is heavier than the 12 inch

I only recently purchased myself a 2017 12" Macbook i5 16GB RAM 512GB storage. It is an absolute beast, weighs next to nothing and is dead silent. Nothing else like it exists.

I think it's fine spending $1000 CAD on a well specced 12" Macbook. However, I would wait until the september event to find out if they will release a silent Arm based Macbook and then make your mind up.

 

[mj_]

As much as I love my 2017 m3 MacBook I wouldn't get another one any more, and I would also avoid the MacBook Air at this point. Rumor has it that a new ARM-based MacBook is just around the corner (re: this year, possibly September or October), and that it will be priced very competitively, too.

 

[Digital Skunk]

I just got a used 2016 MacBook and got the keyboard replaced for free from Apple - and it's like a brand new computer. Zero complaints. Nice fanless design. More than adequate for casual computing (and way more versatile than an iPad).

Well, I wouldn't go that far. Granted, the Macbook has MacOS and that alone puts it at a huge advantage, but since we are only talking casual computing I'd say the iPad Pro has a slight advantage.

Now .... price-wise, the Macbook would win hands down, because you'd need to spend as much as a MacBook Air to get an iPad Pro that would compete.

As much as I love my 2017 m3 MacBook I wouldn't get another one any more, and I would also avoid the MacBook Air at this point. Rumor has it that a new ARM-based MacBook is just around the corner (re: this year, possibly September or October), and that it will be priced very competitively, too.

Same here. Only if you could get one at a seriously reduced price would I recommend it. The closer you get toe iPad Pro/MacBook Air prices the less likely the 12" Macbook is a good buy.

 

[ascender]

Unless you really need one now and/or can find a bargain I’d wait. There’s just too many unknowns to sink some cash in to one at the moment. I really love the form factor and have owned a few, but I’m very interested to see where Apple goes next with their laptop line and whether or not it includes an ultra-portable.

 

[Sodium Chloride]

Is it still worth investing in a 12 inch macbook 3 years after its been released? or would you get the base model air?

The 12” Macbook makes the Macbook Air feels very heavy. One is 2.05 pounds and the other is 2.8 pounds. That’s a very significant difference!

 

[Hieveryone]

I’m not a computer expert but here’s my opinion. I would probably go with the Air because it’s newer, but I personally have a 2017 MacBook base model and I would never switch it out for anything. I love it so much. It’s like my “iPad” replacement. Meaning, it’s my portable machine I take everywhere. I do have a case on it, so it makes traveling with it easier. The full software is amazing vs ipad OS. That being said, if I had buy a machine TODAY, and I had a choice, first I would check the price. I paid around 800 bucks if I remember right for my MacBook. If I had to pay that today I probably would shell out the extra 200 or so for the air. If I could get the MacBook 2017 for 600 I would get it. Less than my iPhone lol. Much less.

 

[mk313]

I had a 2017 12 inch macbook and the screen hinge started to get loose and the display started to not work properly

I traded it in at apple and got an ipad pro plus a new macbook (was trying out both air and pro) but eventually just returned the macbook as I'm still considering waiting for the ARM macbooks.

I came across the 12 inch macbook 2017 on amazon refurbished for around 1000 CAD
Not sure if its worth it in 2020 to get another 12 inch macbook until arm comes out? Is it still worth investing in a 12 inch macbook 3 years after its been released? or would you get the base model air? since it similar price

I initially considered using my ipad pro with magic keyboard until arm comes out but with the wear and tear of the keyboard for 400$ ..... maybe i should just get the 12 inch macbook. It's a great size and weight especially for travel, the magickeyboard + ipad pro 11 is heavier than the 12 inch

I can't argue with anything already posted, but I love the 12" MacBook. People make some good comments about it being a bit old. That being said, I did upgrade my 2015 to a 2017 last year as soon as Apple announced they were discontinuing them. I'd say that I would buy another one, but I'd make sure it was one with upgraded specs. I think that deal you are seeing might be a good deal if it's an upgraded model with a better than base processor, more ram & a bigger hard drive. If it's the base model, I would probably pass on that, but look for another one.

It's still the best Apple laptop ever made in my opinion.

 

[Biscotti]

I know this thread is dead and old, but wondering if OP eventually purchased something? I thought I chimed in here earlier, but I have a 2017 12" MB that I really do love. It's probably going to be my main work computer hooked up to 24" monitor and MX Keys, with my 16" staying at home when I WFH a few days a week.

It's a little beast though: Super light, dead silent like other says, and hasn't really slowed down in the last year and a half. I'll miss it on my lap at home, but have an 11" IPP that can take over those duties.

I say get the 12" MB, use it for a year+, then upgrade to ARM. If you get the 13" MBA i3, you might as well keep it for the next 5 years...

 

[cdames00]

If you want to roll the dice, you can get a used 2017 i7/1.4, 16GB, 512GB model on eBay for around $1K+/-. I think it's worth it if you want a fan-less MacBook now. If the ARM MacBook Pro is less than a year away I'd say wait. But do we know when they'll be out?

I actually just scored one used like new with apple care until 1/21 for $840. would have been less, but I got into a bit of a bidding war cuz it was the exact MacBook I was looking for.

 

[dinobear]

I actually just scored one used like new with apple care until 1/21 for $840. would have been less, but I got into a bit of a bidding war cuz it was the exact MacBook I was looking for.

Nice, I got my maxed out 12" in June (i7, 16gb, 512gb) for $950. Apple care until June 2021. Totally a great computer. Looking forward to seeing apple bring back that formfactor.

 

[Student of Life]

I low key love my MacBook 2015 that was a hand me down. Just wish it had sidecar. I like my MacBook 2015 more than my MacBook Air (2018/19) which i didnt expect to be honest. Something about the size and how it can fit inside a 3-ring binder just clicked with me.

Unless you can get a great deal or even better try to hold off to see the ARM laptops

 

[andste]

This macbook is amazing while is working. The fan-less system Apple screwed, because i3 cpu heat not spread evenly and it burns. And I assuming who has errors like not booting up and shows folder with question mark is not a SSD fault, but a CPU has been burned. My macbook pro 13, mid 2012 is working still and have no signs to give up. But macbook 12/macbook air I would pass... because these models tend to burn because of bad engineering. What I see the best model is a macbook pro.