Apple Discontinues 12-Inch MacBook

[TheralSadurns]

Srsly Apple... your Product Portfolio is all over the place... how about:

12" MacBook
14" MacBook Air - dual core low end
14" MacBook Pro - quad core
16" MacBook Air - like 14" just bigger
16" MacBook Pro - Octo core

So one "cheap" 12" machine... and two 14" and two 16" machines... one "low end" one "high end".

 

[KPOM]

The new Macbook never made much sense. It was filling the same product space as the Air. The Macbook was supposed to be a budget model. It should have been cheaper, thicker, heavier, TN Panel and U-series CPU.

Except the Air is too heavy. The MacBook was meant to be ultraportable.

 

[Suttree]

So nice to have a fanless MacBook with extreme lightness and thinness. I expect the next incarnation will feature an Apple CPU/GPU, FaceID, TrueTone, ProMotion(?), Touch Bar, rounded display ala iPad Pro/iPhone X.

 

[jeffreyg]

Guess those profit margins were hella low

Seriously... base model aside, why buy a MacBook when you can get a better performing Air

Some of us value tininess.

 

[powerbook911]

The thing with the MacBook 12 inch was the keyboard went right up to the edge of the chassis. I liked that so much, it looked nice. Similar look as the 12-inch Powerbook.

 

[RowellE]

I am disappoint! I am confusion!

Good. 12" is way too small.

I still think the 12" MacBook was the most portable laptop ever made by Apple. I don't think the 13" Air can fully take its place.

Oh wow. Maybe they’ll make a smaller Air now that they’ve got rid of the MacBook.

Maybe the MacBook Air refresh will have smaller bezels so it’ll have the size and footprint of the 12inch?

I would purchase the MBA, I just wish it was a bit lighter at 2 pounds.

 

[UK-MacAddict]

Made the right call. Apples product line was getting bloated. MacBook and MacBook Air were basically the same computer. Now instead of gimping each product so as not to eat into the others sales they can focus all that technology into one product.

 

[KPOM]

Guess those profit margins were hella low

Seriously... base model aside, why buy a MacBook when you can get a better performing Air

Because the Air is much thicker and heavier with not much better performance.

 

[FightTheFuture]

About time. However, great computer to pick up refurb when the prices tank.

Yeah I’m going to keep an eye out for this. I love my 2017 MBA, but only because I bought it for $660 last year. A retina MB would be a great replacement if found at the right price.

 

[KPOM]

I liked mine a lot, but it was the last Mac I had before making the switch to iOS. Maybe that is saying something.

I think it is. The iPad Pro is now Apple’s ultraportable.

 

[yanksrock100]

Most unique Apple laptop since the 11 inch Air. It’s a shame that it’s gone. I guess Apple is focusing on their 12 inch iPads.

 

[illitrate23]

Wow. I don't think this product ever really made a ton of sense in the lineup because it was similar in price to the MacBook Pro and didn't really provide a "killer-feature" over the MacBook Air (particularly after the refresh).

That being said...it's always interesting to see Apple kill off product lines. And isn't this the second time they've killed the MacBook line? Seems like it would have made more sense to just rename MacBook Air to MacBook.

It’s also the 2nd time they’ve specifically killed the 12” size, there used to be a 12” PowerBook that, from a purely aesthetic view, was a beautiful machine. Something about the 12” form just seems to lend itself to a nicely proportioned unit with a keyboard that’s as close to full size as makes no difference

 

[Crazy Badger]

Although I've mostly enjoyed using mine for almost 3 years, I've wished it was a new MBA when that was released last year.

I only bought it as I didn't like the form factor or pricing on the MBPs back in 2016 when I was due a new computer, and couldn't bring myself to buy a 4th MBA with the same screen as the first one I'd bought!

I love the weight and screen, although wish it was a little bigger (I always thought a Retina MBA would be a perfect device) but I never really got used to the keyboard, and whilst 1 port is workable, a 2nd would make like a little easier. It was no faster than my 2013 MBA when I bought it, and it's starting to feel slow at times.

2019 would normally be an upgrade year, although I might push it another year and see how things look in 2020. I'm guessing the only certainty is that I won't be buying another MacBook

 

[jclardy]

Interesting. My guess would be that they are going to release an Arm based MacBook soon to replace this one. Keep the tiny footprint, A13 processor (no fan needed), add a faceID camera array at the top. Much better battery life, faster performance and more secure.

I don't see Apple giving up on the tiny ultraportable space, unless they think it should be filled by iPad Pro now.

 

[KGBguy]

Oh man! I was hoping for a refresh on this one. I loved this model.

 

[needfx]

never have I ever felt gutted by a product discontinuation

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

Not surprised. Not a lot of people want to buy a $1299 computer with one port.

Was anyone dumb enough to purchase these at full retail price? These went on sale pretty often. I bought my wife one for $800. That’s a steal IMO.

 

[nburwell]

Poor MacBook. I have the 2017 version and like it a lot, especially for editing images on the go. Looks like I'll have to go the Air route when my MacBook dies (which hopefully won't be for a while).

 

[Mascots]

Wow, surprising and disappointed - was definitely my favorite model of the portable Macs right now.

 

[atomicparker]

1 Port.

1. Port. What a waste of time.

 

[alpi123]

Wow. I don't think this product ever really made a ton of sense in the lineup because it was similar in price to the MacBook Pro and didn't really provide a "killer-feature" over the MacBook Air (particularly after the refresh).

That being said...it's always interesting to see Apple kill off product lines. And isn't this the second time they've killed the MacBook line? Seems like it would have made more sense to just rename MacBook Air to MacBook.

Actually only "MacBook" is more confusing for some. It's better to have a differentiating suffix, like Air and Pro.

 

[Costino1]

That was a great little MacBook and I loved mine. It was held back with HD space though, but still a perfect size to travel with; like a iPad with a keyboard.

I upgraded to a 2018 15: MBP and I love it even more

 

[Dreamail]

Seriously... base model aside, why buy a MacBook when you can get a better performing Air

1)
Because it is the ONLY Mac that is 100% silent because it is the ONLY Mac that does not have a fan.
A very nice feature.

2)
It is the ONLY Mac laptop that fits into my small bags.
The Air is too big and does not fit.
I would need to carry bulkier, larger bags.
Don't like that. I prefer to travel as light as I can.

 

[Mike MA]

MacBook Air brand was too mighty I suppose.

 

[Greenmeenie]

Well, i say bravo. I always felt the macbook & macbook Air line up made no sense. One of them had to go. I thought it would be the Air. But really, it doesn’t matter. Glad Apple finally picked one. Now the line up makes sense. You got your pro MacBooks, & you got your lower cost consumer laptop. Order has been restored to the Universe.