Apple Discontinues 12-Inch MacBook

[Botts85]

the problem is the air isn't an ultraportable, it's not a replacement for the 12" macbook. maybe apple assumes people who loved the 12" macbook will move to the ipad now thinking ipadOS will bridge the gap to a laptop, but i don't think that's the answer. there is no real replacement for an ultraportable in the mac lineup now.

Losing the ultraportable is unfortunate. For me, I have a compelling need for an ultraportable for my day job. I was hoping to pick up a 2019 MacBook. Now it looks like I'm buying an EOL 2018.

It’s called modularity for more portability. The MacBook was noticeably smaller than any Air, and, if you need more ports, put an adapter on your desk. That’s what I did, although I rarely use the adapter.

Yeah, I have a USB-C dock on my desk for running external displays. But otherwise, I've only been limited by the one port maybe twice? since I got my MacBook on day 1.

Also, the chips in the 2017 models are way faster too, so aside from the lack of a second USB-C port, the 2017 had become a relatively mature product.

I'm seriously consider upgrading my 2015 to a 2017 because of this.

Unless of course you want to do real work.

Office work isn't real work? There's millions of people who do productive work that doesn't need compute power beyond Microsoft Office.
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For all the people saying they will miss it and it’s their favorite. Hate to break it to you guys but... the Air is a cheaper and better alternative. And almost equally thin and light.

The fan alone is almost a deal breaker for me. I like having a silent MacBook. It is also noticeably heavier, still light, but noticeably heavier. The MacBook is pretty comparable in size to an iPad Pro.

 

[UltimaKilo]

Makes too much sense now that they're making the iPad a great companion. The MacBook was always way too far ahead of it's time. Apple has yet to figure out the keyboard and the technology to have good performance on such a thin machine is still far away. They can revisit the MacBook in 3-4 years, maybe 5, if some decent processors exist.

This paves the way for the future we have all wanted for the iPad!

 

[fisherking]

the size & weight difference really is negligable (between the 12" macbook and the new air), but.. i do love my early-2016 macbook; i live on this thing (literally); the keyboard works. the size & weight are great.

i use it for simple things (email, surfing, writing, etc; occasional dreamweaver or affinity photo work). it's powerful enough (i have an imac for heavier work).

will get an air this winter, but, honestly... will miss the 12", just for what it is. RIP

EDIT: wanted to add, i made the 'one port' work, just for power (and an occasional flashdrive). but am backing up 'unconventionally'; carbon copy cloner wireless to a backup drive connected to my imac (plus, crashplan). still, 2 ports cannot be a bad thing...

 

[sunapple]

The MacBook was built around the Intel chips it used. This product will return if and when Apple starts using their own ARM chips.

In the meantime, Air and Pro provide enough for most. I personally did love the 12” form-factor though, I’ve owned two 2015 MacBooks.

 

[KPOM]

A Mac with only one port is as useless as a Mac with no ports att all. Good riddance.

You still need adapters with the MacBook Air. There are plenty of USB-C hubs now.

 

[antonrg]

I still use mine on a daily basis. I love the compact size and weight, and the fact that I can still use it for photoshop.

Same here. Im glad I got mine. It’s a good machine.

 

[alexandr]

my wife's going to be mad...

 

[KPOM]

The MacBook was built around the Intel chips it used. This product will return if and when Apple starts using their own ARM chips.

In the meantime, Air and Pro provide enough for most. I personally did love the 12” form-factor though, I’ve owned two 2015 MacBooks.

Except the Air uses basically the same processor as the MacBook, just the newer generation.

I do know the 9th Generation Y chip is a 9W chip vs 5W. It also builds in Thunderbolt. It’s entirely possible Apple couldn’t make the thermals work in the 12” form factor and decided not to update it.
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For all the people saying they will miss it and it’s their favorite. Hate to break it to you guys but... the Air is a cheaper and better alternative. And almost equally thin and light.

Except it isn’t. It weighs 38% more, isn’t fanless, and has basically the same processor.

 

[oneMadRssn]

And almost equally thin and light.

What does "almost equally" mean? Sounds like an oxymoron. It's either almost or equally. And I'd say it's neither - the MBA is 35% heavier and 19% thicker. Not huge amounts, but moving from the rMB to the MBA will be noticeable.

In reality, I think Apple's view is that anyone that wants an ultraportable fanless should look to the iPads. I am not a huge fan of that view though...

 

[redheeler]

I don't mind this. The MacBook Air is close enough to take its place, and there is such a thing as too much choice as Steve Jobs realized when he returned to Apple in the '90s. Apple's laptop product line is less confusing and less messy without it.

Plus, the Retina MacBook was always a compromised product. The keyboard isn't very good, and neither is the port selection. It was Apple's only current Mac without Thunderbolt, which didn't make much sense at the price point.

 

[Arcade]

And I'm still paying for mine

 

[polbit]

Hmm, a high-end Chromebook for $400, or a super-slow version of Mac laptop for $1,200. Yeah, a tough decision...

Outside of few niche cases, the 12-in MB never made much sense, glad Apple finally realized that. You either want a real computer, and buy the Pro or now Air, want a tablet and get an iPad, or want a lightweight screen with a keyboard and get a Chromebook.

 

[satchmo]

They should have just lowered the price to $899 and kept it as a competitor for Chromebooks.

This makes too much sense...for consumers, but not for Apple.
Margins won’t be enough to satisfy them nor shareholders.

 

[Scott6666]

my wife's going to be mad...

Did you forget to wipe down the shower?

 

[Aston441]

I’ll never buy any PC with a fan, ever again. Period.

 

[radiology]

This was the worst product Apple had ever made.

 

[threesixty360]

Not sure about this one. I was hoping they were going to update it. I picked up the Air vs the macbook and the macbook is just the most convenient lap top ever made. The air kind of seems pointless as you might as well buy the pro as its a similar weight.

I kind of cant imagine they would use that form factor to make an arm version of the macbook simply because of the price. Where would it fit in?

I might just try to find a refurb or something. Shame.

 

[hangkous]

Guess those profit margins were hella low

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

Because I travel a lot. Ever used a computer on a plane?

 

[BeatCrazy]

I have two of these, technically gave one to my wife for full time use. She loves it! Never cares about the single port.

I recently took my on a 2 week trip, and used it daily. It was perfect. I love the no fan design, the weight, and how fast it charges. I wouldn’t trade it for a new Air, doubtful my wife would either. She values the portability and weight over the Airs she’s had in the past.

 

[polbit]

I’ll never buy any PC with a fan, ever again. Period.

I guess if your needs top out at web browsing and some light photo-editing, that makes sense. For a large number of people unfortunately, that's not an option.
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Because I travel a lot. Ever used a computer on a plane?

That's what iPads are for. Apple said so.

 

[fisherking]

complicated. i really love my 12" macbook too, but... if i decide to get something new, am not buying older tech just for the slight difference in weight & size (it's noticeable, but still slight). so an air it is.

sad, tho, to see this gone. it's my fave mac ever (and i've owned many, since the 10.4" powerbook 2400c, an amazing mac, and the smallest color-screen mac laptop ever.. altho not thin! 1998...)

 

[icymountain]

I have been using 11" MBA for travelling for many years (still using a 2015 model), and now it seems this machine has no real replacement. In fact, it is the first time in a many years that Apple has no real ultraportable laptop anymore (compared to what is called "ultraportable" at a given time --the current 13" MBA would have been considered ultraportable in 2012, but not so anymore, there are many lighter laptops).

Some say that iPads are replacing this. Look at how they are in terms of software, about 10 years after being introduced: far from offering the level of control real computers do (filesystem, installation of applications, ability to program and compile about anything that exists...).

If only Apple would recreate an 11" MBA, I would say that the removal of the 12" rMB makes sense. But at the moment, it certainly does not.

 

[PatriotInvasion]

I loved my Gold 12" MacBook. Upgraded to the Gold 13" Air last fall and the performance is much better, but I miss how incredibly light the 12" was. The 12" ushered in colors for Macs again beyond gray and grayer. I really hope they extend the Gold option to the Pro. It's a nice alternative to the mundane Space Gray color that has sort of become the new almond.

 

[WhoDatWayne]

I have been using 11" MBA for travelling for many years (still using a 2015 model), and now it seems this machine has no real replacement. In fact, it is the first time in a many years that Apple has no real ultraportable laptop anymore (compared to what is called "ultraportable" at a given time --the current 13" MBA would have been considered ultraportable in 2012, but not so anymore, there are many lighter laptops).

If only Apple would recreate an 11" MBA, I would say that the removal of the 12" rMB makes sense. But at the moment, it certainly does not.

I am in agreement with your assessment!

 

[alexandr]

Did you forget to wipe down the shower?

oh man, she's really going to be mad...