Do you guys experience any keyboard issues? I’ve ordered one from Best Buy and it’s due to arrive today (got it at discount). I have been really struggling to keep it or not. I’m really concerned about the keyboard issue even with the 4 year keyboard warranty (given that my current Mac machines are from 2009 and 2011) having a computer that could potentially crap out on me in 4 years seems relatively short life span. I don’t care about computational power as much as having one that would last long.
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Apple Discontinues 12-Inch MacBook
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Do you guys experience any keyboard issues? I’ve ordered one from Best Buy and it’s due to arrive today (got it at discount). I have been really struggling to keep it or not. I’m really concerned about the keyboard issue even with the 4 year keyboard warranty (given that my current Mac machines are from 2009 and 2011) having a computer that could potentially crap out on me in 4 years seems relatively short life span. I don’t care about computational power as much as having one that would last long.
I knew this was likely. iPad Pro with iPad OS is a better option than the 12 inch MacBook and for those for need MacOS, there’s still the Air and Pro.
Perhaps they'll come out with an ARM based Macbook in the fall or next year.
Perhaps they'll come out with an ARM based Macbook in the fall or next year.
maybe i'm lucky (?), but i have an early-2016 12", and i use it every day, most of the day... literally. apple replaced the logic board last year (applecare ROCKS), but other than that, the keyboard has always worked. and i like the keyboard, a lot...
I have a 2017 8/256 rose gold MacBook, and I have had zero issues with the keyboard or the machine - it really is a great device (I had 12.9 iPad Pro but switched to this be needed the keyboard/mouse experience). The husband is using the iPad Pro now and loves it. The MacBook has been awesome for portability and zippy for the tasks I do (email, web surfing, excel and word processing, and occasional light video editing).
I am actually selling mine - hate to let it go - but I just picked up a surface Pro 6 as i need the pen capability along with windows. I just don’t need it anymore. If anyone is interested in buying it PM me. Will be putting it on offer up - it’s in great shape and will sell quick.
Seems that the MacBook was only kept around until Apple could source some cheaper SSDs and screens this making a price cut for the Air possible.
And as many others here have said, the standalone ‘MacBook’ name will be taking a rest before it (also certainly) comes back as one of Apple’s first ARM models - along with the iMac whose design feels very long in the tooth.
Finally, you get the sense that what we have now will be the Intel MacBook range which will be updated until Apple can replace them with ARM powered models.
And as many others here have said, the standalone ‘MacBook’ name will be taking a rest before it (also certainly) comes back as one of Apple’s first ARM models - along with the iMac whose design feels very long in the tooth.
Finally, you get the sense that what we have now will be the Intel MacBook range which will be updated until Apple can replace them with ARM powered models.
Zero keyboard issues. Technically I’ve had 3 of these 12” MacBooks. My order one got some case damage (my fault) so I updated to a 2017 version. Keyboard has been fine with all.
Honestly I don’t think that the two IO ports matter for most people unless you’re a content creator.
Most people use cloud drives, WiFi and just need two ports - one for power the other to charge their iPhone or (more likely) to plug into a monitor.
The entry level MBPs are for creative professionals whose primary tools are keynote, excel and email. It’s fine for them.
*looks at the Retina screen of the 12” MB* No competition!
Keyboard’s debatable and 2 USB ports not needed for this type of machine.
12” MB wins.
I'm not ready to spring for another laptop yet but was keeping an eye on the MacBook line, from liking the footprint and weight, and not needing much computing power any more but definitely not finding iPads "there" yet regarding anyone's assertion of equivalence.
I would ordinarily get a refurb 12" MB as my next machine at least for a spare... but in the circumstance of not quite needing a spare yet, I'm not inclined to buy a 2017 machine. Color me slightly disappointed. I suppose I'll end up in the MBA camp again at some point for my main machine after my 2012 MBP croaks, so by then maybe an iPad Pro will suffice as a "spare computer".
I would ordinarily get a refurb 12" MB as my next machine at least for a spare... but in the circumstance of not quite needing a spare yet, I'm not inclined to buy a 2017 machine. Color me slightly disappointed. I suppose I'll end up in the MBA camp again at some point for my main machine after my 2012 MBP croaks, so by then maybe an iPad Pro will suffice as a "spare computer".
BTW, the lack of two ports on the iPad Pros (and iPads) is annoying too when you want to sit and do work.
I have both the 12" MacBook (for office type work, presentations) and a 10.5" iPad Pro (for other stuff, including editing media) and it's dongle-life with both of them when I want to attach stuff. As you suggest, the big issue is the lack of charging capability unless you use a hub with power pass-through.
Unfortunately, the dongles with power pass-through are even bulkier than the ones without. Is it the end of the world? No, but it's annoying.
Agreed. The iPad Pros are well on their way, but we're a least a year or so out before they can become laptop replacements for many.
I don't see myself getting an Air again. Assuming my VPN software for work will get updated soon for iPadOS 13, I can transfer some of my work tasks to my iPad Pro, so either I'll just keep my 12" MacBook with an iPad Pro, or else I'll get a new ARM MacBook at some point. I can't see myself getting a new Air. I just find it annoying large for travel. And at home, I use a dual 27" iMac setup.
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Recently updated from a 2015 m5 to a 2017 m3. Now I seriously consider upgrading again to the 2017 i7 w/ 512SSD (hoping to regain 2015 SSD speeds with FileVault enabled - and getting that little extra CPU performance spike you need once in a while ...).
having owned so many apple laptops (sorry apple! for using the word 'laptop'), i know how this goes (for me, and i imagine others will experience the same thing):
i've adapted to my 12" macbook, love it. down the line, i'll get an air, then resent it's 'oversized screen, and heavier weight'... then will adapt to that, and it will be perfectly fine...
until something else comes out and the equation changes again.
like the changes from my iphone SE to my current XS... we adapt.
I empathise. I think that Apple needs to decide if it truly wants the Pro to be a real PC replacement or not.
Pulling mouse and trackpad support into the general menu with a full complement of ‘Mac like’ gestures and fully supporting it for people for all abilities would be a start (as well as ensuring that it’s a great tool for people with accessibility issues, of course).
I can’t see Apple adding in two USB-C ports to the iPad Pro. Maybe with Sidecar, we’ll see some sort of wireless connection to a new mainstream Apple made monitor though?
It had a 'killer feature'. This is the system that introduced the butterfly keyboard. It just isn't the 'killer' feature that Apple hoped it would be. ;-)
If the butterfly keyboard is a 'dead end' starting next year that this 12" is probably due for a major rethink ( at least an overall if not completely replotted/"rebooted" ).
It would make sense to switch the names back to the older roles they played but the alternative would be bring back the Macbook in its original role as 'entry level" system ( e.g., lower priced that the MBA). What really didn't make much sense at all was that the MacBook was the higher priced option (versus starting roughly in the $850 range).
It wouldn't be surprising to see this name rebooted with an ARM processor with a macOS variant. ( or rebooted with another name 'iBook" and go to iPadOS ). It doesn't look like Apple is going to do a "Big Bang", whole line up migration to ARM. So taking this product away so they can bring it back with an ARM SoC would line up with the previous removal/return. With ARM they could possibly free up enough battery space to transition the keyboard to something thicker and still keep their "one port wonder" system configuration matched up with the iPad Pro.
iPad Pro 12" major parts put into a laptop clamshell to hit both scale on bill of materials across both line ups. ( if iPadOS evolves better than expected perhaps just add it to that side as a Chromebook competitor. ).
I think the better word is compromise.
However, a lot of us simply don't like compromising for a bigger size and heavier weight. Having owned several 13" and 12" Mac laptops in their time (and one 15" model), I MUCH prefer 12" ones. No contest.
For a monitor, this would be unnecessary, since you build the extra ports into the monitor, and also have the monitor charge the iPad Pro.
However, this works better with Thunderbolt, or else a future updated version of USB-C. The reason is because right now if you do this via USB-C with a 4K monitor, you can only have USB 2 speeds for the extra ports.
BTW, with regards to Sidecar, it will be nice to have it working with my 2017 12" MacBook and my iPad.
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best computer ever made
Coinciding with refreshes to the MacBook Air and the 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.
Apple had not updated the 12-inch MacBook since June 2017 and it was becoming increasingly uncertain whether the notebook had a future in Apple's product lineup, especially after the MacBook Air was radically redesigned last year with many of the same features as the 12-inch MacBook for $100 less at the time.
Evidently, the 12-inch MacBook has been axed. We've reached out to Apple for comment and will update if we hear back.
Apple's notebook lineup is much more straightforward now at a glance, with the lower-end MacBook Air starting at $1,099 after receiving a price cut today, the mid-range 13-inch MacBook Pro starting at $1,299, and the high-end 15-inch MacBook Pro for the most demanding users starting at $2,399.
Article Link: Apple Discontinues 12-Inch MacBook
God damn it. I was hoping to get this but have waited since it was introduced because of the butterfly keys. This was a better design than the MacBook Air. I wanted a fanless laptop. Apple really doesn't want me to be a customer anymore. They may have succeeded with this move and not scrapping the butterfly keys in the new MacBook Air.
nah, i stand by the word 'adapt'. i went from a 10.4" powerbook to a 12" powerbook, to a 13"... etc etc, and same with the phone; always a small phone (5C>SE); the XS seemed enormous. now it's just "my iphone".
i prefer the 12" to the larger air, but, if that's all there is... i'll adapt.