Whether you agree or disagree, I'm not saying Apple shouldn't add an extra port, I'm just saying it is not a deal breaker for most people who are looking for a lightweight silent macbook. However I'd very much welcome for Apple to remove the headphone jack and replace it with an additional USB-C port. The discussion whether or not the technology is available to do so is another discussion.
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Any 12" Macbook users holding out for an ARM Macbook?
- Thread starter leeuk321
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Whether you agree or disagree, I'm not saying Apple shouldn't add an extra port, I'm just saying it is not a deal breaker for most people who are looking for a lightweight silent macbook. However I'd very much welcome for Apple to remove the headphone jack and replace it with an additional USB-C port. The discussion whether or not the technology is available to do so is another discussion.
It was a dealbreaker for an awful lot of people. I don’t know if it was most, but even if it was a significant minority, it would be a big deal.
Yeah I'm sure it was. There's just no real competition with the Macbook though. The air doesn't even come close. Let's hope they add the second port this time round
I would certainly like a new ARM MacBook 12" to replace my 2015 which is still running with no issues, but a missing additional port will unfortunately be a dealbreaker for me.
Also looking forward to a new MacBook 12" but am happy with a single port. Yes I have a whole bunch of dongles but have adapted.
I am hoping the screen size increases a little (much like the new 13"), that the screen is similar or better than the 15", and there is a small processor bump.
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In my opinion an additional port is essential.
Macbook is all about mobility but you have to carry dongles so you can charge and use an USB stick? Doesn't make sense...
Macbook is all about mobility but you have to carry dongles so you can charge and use an USB stick? Doesn't make sense...
Seems like quite a divide on the topic of ports. I'd personally prefer one TB3 port over two slower ports, because then you can simply connect it to a TB3 dock, and do everything you want. That's just my personal preference, but I'd say it goes more in keeping with the simplicity of the 12" Macbook, rather than say a port on either side, making users stick a power lead in one side and a dock in the other.
Either solution though would be a HUGE upgrade over the current Macbook. Yes, there's cloud computing, and yes it's designed for a mobile lifestyle, but when you need to simply get some local tasks done (even if it's not that often) - such as connecting to Time Machine, monitor, etc - the single USB-C port is a real PITA. Having said that, if they come out with a 12" ARM that ticks the others boxes, such as better keyboard, more power, better battery life, cooler running, I'd get that over a heavier fanned MacBook Air / Pro / Whatever any day.
The 12" screen size is a huge bonus for me as well, because a lot of the time I'm finishing off work at the end of the day whilst I have some sports or whatever on the TV in the background, and it's just the right size to not have to be craning over the laptop when I feel a goal approaching.
Either solution though would be a HUGE upgrade over the current Macbook. Yes, there's cloud computing, and yes it's designed for a mobile lifestyle, but when you need to simply get some local tasks done (even if it's not that often) - such as connecting to Time Machine, monitor, etc - the single USB-C port is a real PITA. Having said that, if they come out with a 12" ARM that ticks the others boxes, such as better keyboard, more power, better battery life, cooler running, I'd get that over a heavier fanned MacBook Air / Pro / Whatever any day.
The 12" screen size is a huge bonus for me as well, because a lot of the time I'm finishing off work at the end of the day whilst I have some sports or whatever on the TV in the background, and it's just the right size to not have to be craning over the laptop when I feel a goal approaching.
Nope... I sold my 1.4 GHz 12" a while back to get maximum dollars from it (got almost $950) before the price crumbles. Haven't looked to see what they are selling for lately. "Only" having one port never bothered me all that much compared to how light it was to travel with (even with a dongle in my computer bag).
I typically go for "all used up" rather than fully depreciated however I wanted more horsepower under the hood and went with a 2020 13" 10th gen for a new daily driver.
My 2012 15" is still going strong though just last week decided to stop charging. I'm going big and spending $30 on a new battery for it LOL
I typically go for "all used up" rather than fully depreciated however I wanted more horsepower under the hood and went with a 2020 13" 10th gen for a new daily driver.
My 2012 15" is still going strong though just last week decided to stop charging. I'm going big and spending $30 on a new battery for it LOL
Indeed, I deliberated with doing that, but decided to stick it out and hold out for the ARM. I had the same thought process when it got discontinued - cash in now and get a 13" Air as a stop-gap until another Macbook came out that I really wanted. But then I thought, that could be years, and in the mean-time I'd have a computer than I didn't want, purely for riding the depreciation wave. If we assume for argument sake that a 12" ARM will come out in spring next year, yes my Macbook will be worth little at that point, but in the same respect I'll have gotten a couple of years more service out of it, which provides value. And, I won't have the hassle/cost of an extra sale and purchase in leapfrogging from the 2017 Macbook to the 2019/2020 Air to the 2021 ARM.
I suppose it all depends on your personal preferences and all that. And yes, a single USB-C isn't a complete deal-breaker for me, but that and the keyboard are my far the two things that I'm hoping for improvements on. I think the keyboard is a given, but I really hope they beef up the port a little.
my old mba fans drive me insane
to think when I bought it, it was being written about as silent and fanless... 🙄
anyway, did new thermal paste help at all? I've been considering replacing the paste for years, but don't see the point in cracking everything open if it won't make much difference
The thermal problems of the MBA Air, together with the extra weight, have been the two dealbreakers for me getting the Air. I considered it briefly, but then realized they were both compromises I wasn't willing to make whilst waiting for the next ultralight fanless Apple laptop. The compromises with the 12" Macbook are ones I'm willing to make, but obviously each year it ages it gets a little tougher.
To be honest, with the price/specs/performance of the Air vs 13" MBP, I just can't get my head around so many people choosing the Air. Sure, they'll always be a certain crowd where it happens to tick just the right boxes, but for me the 13" Pro is sooooooooo much better value. But, that's a personal choice, so each to their own. If I did tasks requiring a lot of heavy lifting I'd definitely be tempted by the 13" Pro, but obviously in any case I'd waiting for the Silicone version. But, all I want is a light machine, so sticking with the 12" until there's a refresh for sure.
If I was forced to give up my 12" now and get a new Macbook, I'd get the 13" MBP in a heartbeat.
The 2017 MacBook is the most esthetically appealing machine/gadget Apple ever made. That makes using it a pleasure. My 512gb 16gb RAM i7 does everything I want quite well, and the ability to pick it up with 2 fingers and move it is always a joy. I also have a 16" MacBook Pro that I use at home (it's too heavy and clumsy to carry around much), but for some reason I keep wanting to use the MacBook instead. People complain about its lack if ports, its butterfly keyboard, its speed, and so on, but for me, over the last 3 years it has done everything I wanted well and without exception. With Ives gone, I doubt we will see another Apple machine as nice as the MacBook. Even if they do release a successor to the MacBook with Apple silicon, I doubt it will have the beautiful lines and feel of the 2017 MacBook.
6) Price.
The 12" MacBook was always being price to expensive for what it was (small, eliciting scepticism due to relatively low performance and lack of 2nd port, mediocre keyboard at best).
...and neither is there any need for Thunderbolt 3 whatsoever (for the average user). Unnecessarily complicated and expensive, to be crammed into a ultraportable machine with entry-level performance. USB-C, which can deliver 4K60 to an external display is good enough for most anyone.
(I can see Thunderbolt warranted on a more powerful "Pro" machine though)
I bought a 12" macbook last month actually, fully aware of ARM on the horizon. 512gb 16gb RAM i7 - mint condition, low battery cycle count too- $900. In my option, it's so much better than the Airs Apple is currently offering. The 12" design is really just the best. I understand they could come out with a 12" ARM soon-ish. But it may be not so soonish. Either way I think the last 12" macbooks made are still great machines.
Hopefully they will bring back that design with ARM! But I'm not holding my breath, clearly. I do think it makes sense for them to bring back that size eventually. And I really hope they do. The 13" air just kind of sucks compared to the 12" macbook.
As far as depreciation, at the end of the day I'm sure I could sell the 12" intel for half what I paid for it in a year (min) and it's not that much of a loss.
Hopefully they will bring back that design with ARM! But I'm not holding my breath, clearly. I do think it makes sense for them to bring back that size eventually. And I really hope they do. The 13" air just kind of sucks compared to the 12" macbook.
As far as depreciation, at the end of the day I'm sure I could sell the 12" intel for half what I paid for it in a year (min) and it's not that much of a loss.
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Well, after inheriting back my kid’s 2015 MB I was conflicted whether it was worth spending the money to replace the dying battery. After erasing it, and updating the OS I played with it for a couple of hours. I soon remembered why I bought it in the first place! So, off it goes to Apple for a new battery. I swore I’d not spend more than $200.00 dollars on thing, but Apple (with shipping) is charging me a little over $230.00. So I went for it.
Yes, it is not as fast as my 2018 12.9” iPad Pro, but it seems lighter in the hand than the iPP with MK folio. I truly hope that there is a new 12” MB with the new Apple CPU! My iPP is on notice
Yes, it is not as fast as my 2018 12.9” iPad Pro, but it seems lighter in the hand than the iPP with MK folio. I truly hope that there is a new 12” MB with the new Apple CPU! My iPP is on notice
The 12” MacBook is much, much lighter than the 12.9” iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard.Yes, it is not as fast as my 2018 12.9” iPad Pro, but it seems lighter in the hand than the iPP with MK folio. I truly hope that there is a new 12” MB with the new Apple CPU! My iPP is on notice
In fact, the 12” MacBook is also significantly lighter than the 11” iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard.
The 2018-2020 Air is effectively the continuation of the 12" MacBook. Considering that the latter is awkwardly small and that the performance/thermals are only one of many reasons why the 12" MacBook was problematic, no, I think that one ought to stay dead. That said, you're very likely to see one hell of a MacBook Air once that machine ditches Intel.
Valid opinion. But there's a market for the 12" form factor for sure. To be able to carry a full macOS computer (to work on client requests when they pop up) around with you in a 2 pound thin profile laptop is a huge selling point. The 13" Air is 2.8 pounds. It really makes a huge difference if you're on the go. With Apple's new chips that draw less power and produce less heat, the 12" MB will be even better. I dont need a big screen when I'm out and about during the work day. It gives me more freedom than waiting at home for client's feedback and whatnot to come through. The less weight I have to carry, the more freeing it feels.
Again, chips and thermals were only SOME of the reasons why that machine was ultimately rejected. Pricing was horrible and only having a single port makes it only useful for the most casual of uses. Slapping in an Apple Silicon SoC isn't going to fix that enough.
Yebbuleman, you are right about the pricing, the performance, and the single port. I looked up my original 12” MB’s pricing and thought, “What the heck was I thinking!”
But after getting mine back from a kid, I have to say the overall form factor was really nice. It needs a new battery, and it put out more heat than I remembered. I don’t know if that is a function of a failing battery? Yes it seemed a little slow, even out of the box in 2015.
In comparing the form factor to my 12.9” 2018 iPad Pro with the Magic Keyboard Folio/trackpad I have to say a new revision (addressing the old models faults) would really interest me.
Two of my wishlist items for any laptop is cellular service, and even better performance than my current iPad Pro.
It will be interesting to see what Apple comes up with for a 12” laptop with the new Apple CPU’s. Rumor has it there may be a 12” at generally lower price with the new Apple CPU. Lower prices, I’ll believe that when I see it
In the meantime I’ll enjoy the 2018 12.9” iPad, and the 12“ MB once a new battery is installed.
But after getting mine back from a kid, I have to say the overall form factor was really nice. It needs a new battery, and it put out more heat than I remembered. I don’t know if that is a function of a failing battery? Yes it seemed a little slow, even out of the box in 2015.
In comparing the form factor to my 12.9” 2018 iPad Pro with the Magic Keyboard Folio/trackpad I have to say a new revision (addressing the old models faults) would really interest me.
Two of my wishlist items for any laptop is cellular service, and even better performance than my current iPad Pro.
It will be interesting to see what Apple comes up with for a 12” laptop with the new Apple CPU’s. Rumor has it there may be a 12” at generally lower price with the new Apple CPU. Lower prices, I’ll believe that when I see it
In the meantime I’ll enjoy the 2018 12.9” iPad, and the 12“ MB once a new battery is installed.
For my uses, I may have the best successor to MB12 currently offered. It's a 13.3in HP Spectre convertible, silent, with an amazing 5K OLED screen, great keyboard and multiple other upgrades over MB. But, it's 0.8 pounds too heavy and I will find an excuse to buy next Apple ultraportable when it comes...
Finger crossed for this rumor. Cellular would be most appreciated!
I agree with you on pricing, it was definitely overpriced when first released. I don't necessarily agree on the single port being a major issue though. The MacBook was an ultraportable device, and it did what it was supposed to do very well: a small, lightweight, and adequately powerful enough ultraportable computer to satisfy basic mobile computing requirements. I wasn't surprised that the YouTube influencer army started criticizing it for its inability to render four 4K streams simultaneously while playing Crysis with seven external hard drives plugged in but let's be honest: when you're out and about you don't really carry a ton of accessories around with you. Personally, when I take my MacBook on business trips abroad (you know, back in the olden days when there still was such a thing as a "business trip") the only two devices I carry with me that plug into the port are the charger and a USB-C to USB-A adapter for thumb drives, just in case. And if you need more than one peripheral device connected simultaneously while wandering around this planet the MacBook may not be the right choice for you. However, there are plenty of users, including me, who scuffed at the single port at first but ultimately came to the conclusion that one rarely ever plugs anything in when on the go anyway.
Case in point: the iPad Pro, touted by Apple as the professional device of the future and priced just as aggressively as the MacBook, if not even more so. Number of ports? One.
I always wished for a MacBook Air with Retina Display back in 2014-2017. When the 12" MacBook was released as the "MacBook Air replacement" I really tried to talk myself into it. However, the display was too small for me to do any proper work and the one port situation was frustrating to say the least.
When the MacBook Air with Retina was released in 2018 it really solved all of the issues I saw with the MacBook. By the way, my Air (with the 7w y-processor) is completely silent. I never hear the fan come on, unless I'm editing videos in iMovie or playing games - which the Air wasn't really designed for anyways.
That said, the MacBook would make a great contender for ARM, and I hope you guys get what you're hoping for.
When the MacBook Air with Retina was released in 2018 it really solved all of the issues I saw with the MacBook. By the way, my Air (with the 7w y-processor) is completely silent. I never hear the fan come on, unless I'm editing videos in iMovie or playing games - which the Air wasn't really designed for anyways.
That said, the MacBook would make a great contender for ARM, and I hope you guys get what you're hoping for.