Apple Introduced Its Most Controversial MacBook 10 Years Ago Today

[MacRumors]

Apple announced the infamous 12-inch Retina MacBook a decade ago today, an experimental new Mac that was as controversial as it was revolutionary.

Apple unveiled the 12-inch MacBook on March 9, 2015, at the "Spring Forward" event in San Francisco, California. The event was primarily focused on the Apple Watch, which was being fully detailed ahead of its launch the following month, so the debut of the brand-new MacBook line took many by surprise. Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced the new MacBook as a "reinvention" of the notebook.

The device was extremely controversial due to its underpowered performance, single USB-C port for both charging and data transfer, short battery life, unreliable butterfly keyboard, and high price point ($1,299 starting price in 2015—the same as a MacBook Pro at the time).

However, the 12-inch MacBook offered a glimpse at what was to come in the Mac lineup. It was the first Apple device with a USB-C port, terraced battery, butterfly keyboard, and haptic trackpad. It was also the first MacBook with a design focused on efficiency, a Retina display in a non-Pro model, multiple color options, and without a fan or an illuminated Apple logo.

In 2016, Apple refreshed the 12-inch MacBook to add Intel Skylake Core m3, m5, and m7 processors, improved battery life and faster PCIe storage, and a Rose Gold color option. In 2017, it introduced Intel Kaby Lake Core m3, i5, and i7 processors, and a second-generation butterfly keyboard for slightly better reliability.

It was discontinued upon the introduction of the 2019 MacBook Air. The 12-inch MacBook was functionally replaced by the 2018 MacBook Air, which effectively adopted its design, but with an additional USB-C port, a single fan for active cooling, and a larger display.

What do you think about the 12-inch MacBook a whole decade later? Let us know in the comments.

Article Link: Apple Introduced Its Most Controversial MacBook 10 Years Ago Today

 

[AND411]

Bring it back. With Apple Silicon. Please!

@Tim Apple
I promise that I will buy two new devices:
A new MacBook 12 inch and a MacMini M4 pro,
they would replace my MacBook Pro M1.
Surely that's a reason to bring it back, Tim?
And I'll keep my iPad Pro 11 M2 anyway!

 

[F23]

Ressurect it Timmy, and we will forgive you for the AirPods Max embarrassment of an update.

 

[chriscl]

I still have mine, an early 2016 with 512GB of storage; it still does a job as a mobile writing and browsing platform. Love the form factor, and I‘d like to see Apple offer a similar product again.

 

[DaniTheFox]

It was all Intel’s fault.

 

[guci0]

Still on desk second gen m7, third gen was much better.

 

[Populus]

What do you think about the 12-inch MacBook a whole decade later?

That it was a great form factor, especially because of the reduced weight, and I’ve hoped that Apple would reintroduce it now that they have the appropriate silicon for it.

But I’ve already lost hope. If they haven’t introduced it with the M4, which represents a major milestone in the Apple Silicon evolution, they probably won’t reintroduce it in the future.

Nowadays Apple is like “bigger, bigger, bigger”

 

[wilee]

Bought first gen on preorder and unless battery died it was perfect.. still works on charger though

With M CPU and last gen keyboards it would be superstar again

 

[guci0]

I had a graphics failure, I "fixed" the warranty. The battery requires service, but it works. Even on battery.

 

[Chancha]

It didn't even have a touch bar, hardly the "Most Controversial MacBook".

 

[kindaichi81]

this should be back especially now M chip is so much better than intel chip...

12-inch makes more sense now for a completely portable device to bring overseas and on the go than air...

 

[UltimaKilo]

That it was a great form factor, especially because of the reduced weight, and I’ve hoped that Apple would reintroduce it now that they have the appropriate silicon for it.

But I’ve already lost hope. If they haven’t introduced it with the M4, which represents a major milestone in the Apple Silicon evolution, they probably won’t reintroduce it in the future.

Nowadays Apple is like “bigger, bigger, bigger”

I’m sorry but the M4 is not a “major milestone” and while the M5 may be the largest update since the M2, it won’t be either.

It is very plausible to see the MacBook make a comeback in the next 3-5 years, but unlikely before then.

 

[KPOM]

I loved it. The 12” MacBook screamed for
Apple Silicon. Intel couldn’t do it justice.

 

[KPOM]

I’m sorry but the M4 is not a “major milestone” and while the M5 may be the largest update since the M2, it won’t be either.

It is very plausible to see the MacBook make a comeback in the next 3-5 years, but unlikely before then.

M1 would have been a great opportunity to relaunch the 12” MacBook. The 2017
model had a 5W Intel processor. The M1 was also 5W but so much more powerful.

 

[frou]

The only reason I'm glad I never bought one is that they have a defective by design keyboard. Ticking timebomb.

 

[AppleFeller]

I’d kill for a new ultra thin MacBook option.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Best design Apple has ever made.

Worst keyboard, lousy battery, lacked another USB-C port.

Update it with Apple Silicon and a proper keyboard, give it another USB-C port on the other side, and it is a total winner.

 

[TapDatApp]

Really surprised to see all the love this is getting here. It was pretty meh at the time.

 

[Populus]

I’m sorry but the M4 is not a “major milestone” and while the M5 may be the largest update since the M2, it won’t be either.

It is very plausible to see the MacBook make a comeback in the next 3-5 years, but unlikely before then.

Let me guess, you purchased an M2 or M3 Mac?

I honestly think that the M4, with the biggest jump in single core CPU performance, and being the first based on ARM v.9, is actually a major milestone.

But I’m curious to know why you think the M5 is going to be the largest update since the M2 when we barely know anything about it, aside from the fact that it’s going to use an enhanced third gen 3nm technology.

 

[okänd]

I love small computers and this needs to make a comeback with arm.

 

[MacRazySwe]

Today it would make sense, with Apple Silicon.

Back then, I lusted after it but it was simply too compromised.

Apple should bring it back with an M-series chip, proper keyboard and two USB-C ports. Ideally, they would fit a 13" display in the same form factor.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Today it would make sense, with Apple Silicon.

Back then, I lusted after it but it was simply too compromised.

Apple should bring it back with an M-series chip, proper keyboard and two USB-C ports. Ideally, they would fit a 13" display in the same form factor.

I don't think it can accommodate a proper keyboard. This thing is why the butterfly keyboard was invented.

 

[Populus]

Really surprised to see all the love this is getting here. It was pretty meh at the time.

And there were reasons for that: only 1 single USB-C when it wasn’t very extensively used, faulty keyboard, a not so great Intel M series chip… but the idea, especially around the form factor, was marvellous.

 

[koil]

It didn't even have a touch bar, hardly the "Most Controversial MacBook".

Indeed, the changes between the 2015 and 2016 MacBook Pro were without doubt the most controversial.

 

[Populus]

I don't think it can accommodate a proper keyboard. This thing is why the butterfly keyboard was invented.

Yeah, I agree on that, but today’s MacBook Air is a different form factor. And maybe the new “old” scissor keyboard could fit in.