If Intel was no longer updating the chips needed for this machine that’s probably why it was discontinued. Maybe it will come back some day as an ARM Mac. These updates still have the butterfly keyboard and Touch Bar.
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Apple Discontinues 12-Inch MacBook
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This is a result of Apple’s irritating marketecture choices and pricing.
1. The 12” should have had 2 USB-C ports, even at launch in 2015. This is the number 1 issue with the line.
2. The 13” non-TB should have been discontinued.
3. The 13” TB should have been more reasonably priced.
Basically Apple learned from its mistakes when it introduced its Retina Air. Two USB-C ports, and a bit of a price reduction from the Pros.I wouldn’t be surprised to see the discontinuation of the non-TB Pro soon. [Edit] I see they have discontinued the non-TB Pro today too. [/Edit]
Anyhow, I’m glad I bought the 2017” MacBook when I did. I’ve been happily using it for over two years now, and will likely keep it for a long time. I’m also glad I got it with 16 GB RAM to give it longevity, since there will be no replacement any time soon for Apple’s most portable laptop.
Scratch that last line actually... There will be no Intel Mac laptop replacement for it any time soon, but there is the possibility that Apple will replace it with a small ARM model by next year. Yes the new iPad Pros are great, but they still aren’t laptops. The new A13X or A14X will actually even be fast enough to compete in emulation with the Intel Core m3/i5/i7 chips, and with native software will be way, way faster.
1. The 12” should have had 2 USB-C ports, even at launch in 2015. This is the number 1 issue with the line.
2. The 13” non-TB should have been discontinued.
3. The 13” TB should have been more reasonably priced.
Basically Apple learned from its mistakes when it introduced its Retina Air. Two USB-C ports, and a bit of a price reduction from the Pros.
Anyhow, I’m glad I bought the 2017” MacBook when I did. I’ve been happily using it for over two years now, and will likely keep it for a long time. I’m also glad I got it with 16 GB RAM to give it longevity, since there will be no replacement any time soon for Apple’s most portable laptop.
Scratch that last line actually... There will be no Intel Mac laptop replacement for it any time soon, but there is the possibility that Apple will replace it with a small ARM model by next year. Yes the new iPad Pros are great, but they still aren’t laptops. The new A13X or A14X will actually even be fast enough to compete in emulation with the Intel Core m3/i5/i7 chips, and with native software will be way, way faster.
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How long did the original MacBook last (not including keeping a model around for education market)?
Strangely, the iMac is not listed as a "new" product anymore even though it was refreshed relatively recently. Pro's are still listed as new.
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Non-TB pro is gone
Ditto. That and buttonless track pads are my, like, laptop kinks.
Lasted 4 years, yes, but Apple stopped updating it after 2 years. So that’s a pretty short life cycle for a new Apple product.
I use my 2016 MacBook 12 as a on the road machine now, but before they released the new Mac mini it was my daily driver for a good year. Got it open box at Best Buy for $659 for the m5/512GB/8GB version two years ago.
I'll be honest tho, Catalina beta runs like crap on it, I've reported it personally to Apple a few times, the processor may be very underpowered for newer macOS's in the future and that could be why they discontinued also because they may plan to cut support in the very near future.
I'll be honest tho, Catalina beta runs like crap on it, I've reported it personally to Apple a few times, the processor may be very underpowered for newer macOS's in the future and that could be why they discontinued also because they may plan to cut support in the very near future.
I bought one earlier in the year for $799 from b&h for what I do with it I love the size , it’s like an iPad with a keyboard and computer os
It only made sense as the MacBook Air replacement they pitched it as in 2016. Boy, they are working to erase the mistakes of 2014 (Mac Mini) through 2016 (non-TB pro and MacBook from 2015).
I suppose we should applaud them for this. I did like that little MacBook, although for me it was not very useful for even office tasks. I just crushed that battery down to 4.5 hours.
very much so - such great design, portability and function, and people are bashing it for their own respective port kinks
Gut wrenching. My wife uses her 2015 model and I always thought that thing was nice. I would strongly contemplate getting another honestly. Nice little laptop for sure.
Catalina performance is fine on my 16 GB 2017 m3.
I just can’t get Sidecar to work yet with my 2017 iPad Pro 10.5 in the beta.
This is just weird. It was not only the most portable Mac ever, but it defined the whole design language Apple follows nowadays in their laptops. Also, the most important thing in the MacBook was the one it was almost impossible for the rest of companies to copy in such a small package: 0 fans.
I gotta say I always wanted one, it was perfect for what I wanted but I ended up buying a secondhand MacBook Air 11” because the price on the MacBook was just ridiculous. I think they wanted to get the price lower but it was impossible given the slow pace low-energy intel processors are coming out. But discontinued? I can’t believe it. This has always been the most Apple-like Mac ever released.
I gotta say I always wanted one, it was perfect for what I wanted but I ended up buying a secondhand MacBook Air 11” because the price on the MacBook was just ridiculous. I think they wanted to get the price lower but it was impossible given the slow pace low-energy intel processors are coming out. But discontinued? I can’t believe it. This has always been the most Apple-like Mac ever released.
Maybe I spoke too soon, you are right about Apple potentially reintroducing it as it’s first A Series Mac.
I am typing this on my 2015 Macbook which is one of the best laptops I have ever used. I just upgraded to Macbook Pro 13" 2019 and miss how light this laptop is. With all the other gear I carry every pound counts. I will continue to use it at home and travel where I do not need insane amount of photo processing in a short amount of time. I took this laptop around the world and feel sad that I will not be able to upgrade to a 2019 or 2020 model.
This is disappointing. It was the perfect size for me.
Following refreshes to the MacBook Air and entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro today, Apple appears to have discontinued the 12-inch MacBook, which is no longer available through its online store. The notebook was last updated in June 2017.
More details to follow...
Article Link: Apple Discontinues 12-Inch MacBook
It didn't show it under system presences at first for me but I think I looked for it in Terminal and after I launched it the first time it showed up then. As far performance, maybe the 2017 is a lot better than the 2016 of it could be the difference of 16Gb vs 8Gb Ram. It's beachball city on mine and Finer doesn't want to load. No issues with iCloud Drive or Photos like other people are reporting though.
Jonny is gone what like one week and light, thin, and fanless is out.
But the Air is too heavy. Apple lacks an ultraportable. I guess they see the 11” iPad Pro for that audience.