Apple Introduced Its Most Controversial MacBook 10 Years Ago Today

[Dreamail]

Maybe a suitable retrofit could come from the iPad 13 Pro M4.
View attachment 2493403

That might be an approach.

Though it would still need some re-engineering, I think.

From what I understand the iPad lacks RAM with its 16GB max, which is the bare minimum for a Mac.
Macs prefer to have more, at least as an option and not be already maxed out at their minimum config.

iPad Pros also lack I/O capabilities compared to Macs.
Only one external monitor at 60Hz, only one USB-C port, only Thunderbolt 3, etc.

Finally, that iPad Pro motherboard still seems nearly double the size of the 12" MacBook motherboard.
This picture of the 12" MacBook motherboard inside the 12" MacBook unibody shell says it all:

I wonder if the current iPad Pro could even run macOS as it is. If it were easily possible, Apple would have probably offered it by now on the iPad Pros. So maybe the iPad hardware truly is not sufficient.
Although there is always the possibility that the Apple bean counters would rather ensure you purchase a MacBook and an iPad, instead of just a single iPad Pro...

 

[wilee]

macos can be run on RISC-architecture, so it can be run on ipad pro hardware, also on iphones, etc.

 

[537635]

I wonder if the current iPad Pro could even run macOS as it is. If it were easily possible, Apple would have probably offered it by now on the iPad Pros. So maybe the iPad hardware truly is not sufficient.
Although there is always the possibility that the Apple bean counters would rather ensure you purchase a MacBook and an iPad, instead of just a single iPad Pro...

If we look at the software (not the operating system) that iPads can run and HOW they run it, I don't believe macOS would pose any kind of problem.

Bean counters all the way. And with the Siri/AI fiasco I do hope change is on the horizon.

 

[jpcyr]

I see some users here arguing for a low fee, very portable device, but truly I don't believe in this at all. I think ultra-portable is a niche, and one it's worth paying for. Everyone here is passionate enough about the MacBook 12, they would pay a premium if it only had a M1, and nothing else, keeping all the compromises it currently has except being underpowered and efficient (battery life).

The Air is obviously now the everyone laptop, and the right move was to make a 15", not a 12". It didn't work with the 11" and the sweet stop always been bigger for the public, we see it with the iPad, the phone, etc.

For me, the Pro line is not one of mass market, but one where you can charm with something specific (power + portability, big bright screen, multiple ports, work-station replacement, etc.). They all come with some compromises (weight, form, price, etc). Ultra-portability is something specific, and yes, it comes with its compromises. It cannot be all at the same time, and for everyone. As a professional, you know the compromises you would face if you choose it, and you'll be fine with it. Your mom would not.

A no more than 2lbs, 12" laptop, with a great reliable keyboard, a powerful chip and super efficient one, offering all day battery life (12 hours+), ideally with nano-texture and an Apple modem in option for everywhere portability. I would pay a fortune for this. Really!

And if the one port is the compromise, for the form factor/weight, so f__ing be it. I don't think it's the short-coming at all of this laptop. It is just overblown, like its keyboard. It's like the power button on the new mini, or the port under the magic mouse. Only the geeks talk about this to be interesting on YouTube. They are NOT issues, just well though compromises.

I would use this machine as my sole computer, at work (connected to a Studio Display and Magic keyboard/mouse), around the house, outside, and while travelling.

As I was stating in that post... maybe, just maybe we can get a MacBook Pro as light as 2 lbs in 2026... following the recent rumour:

Waiting for the Perfect MacBook Pro? 2026 Might Be the Year

Apple in October 2024 overhauled its 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, adding M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips, Thunderbolt 5 ports on higher-end...

www.macrumors.com

 

[537635]

As I was stating in that post... maybe, just maybe we can get a MacBook Pro as light as 2 lbs in 2026... following the recent rumour:

I wish... but a 9 year (since 2017) waiting is a long time.

 

[jpcyr]

I wish... but a 9 year (since 2017) waiting is a long time.

Wayyyyyy too long... for all of us waiting for a rebirth. I would certainly buy it in a heartbeat if they come out with it.

 

[magicvash]

This was my favorite Mac. I bought a 13” M4 Air and I’m convinced it’s the spiritual successor to the 12” retina MacBook.

 

[md2433]

My Bride started her book on a 2017 12in, finished on a 2016 12in. We have MBP's/MBAir's both Intel and M1., she Loves the 12 MacBook!

 

[537635]

Wayyyyyy too long... for all of us waiting for a rebirth. I would certainly buy it in a heartbeat if they come out with it.

Me too. This would easily be an iPad Pro replacement and another device (besides iPhone) that I could almost always take with me, so I don't see a problem paying up to 2000 USD/EUR for it. I would really like to see the iPad Pro hardware (OLED, FaceID) in a laptop form factor... the irony of this would be, that even today's Macbook Pros don't have that.


I understand that Apple wants the iPad to be the MB replacement, but then again the iPadOS also hasn't made suffiecient progress in 9 years. I'll argue, that an ancient El Capitan macOS is more capable than a 2024 iPadOS when it comes to productivity and multitasking.

 

[jpcyr]

Me too. This would easily be an iPad Pro replacement and another device (besides iPhone) that I could almost always take with me, so I don't see a problem paying up to 2000 USD/EUR for it. I would really like to see the iPad Pro hardware (OLED, FaceID) in a laptop form factor... the irony of this would be, that even today's Macbook Pros don't have that.


I understand that Apple wants the iPad to be the MB replacement, but then again the iPadOS also hasn't made suffiecient progress in 9 years. I'll argue, that an ancient El Capitan macOS is more capable than a 2024 iPadOS when it comes to productivity and multitasking.

I'm pretty sure we would get there, OLED, FaceID, Modem, under 2lbs. The only thing that I really wonder is if they would bring back the form factor (meaning 12 inches). If they can fit a 13 inches in it (they have about 13.5 inches in diagonal space, so feasible), I would certainly take that.

Ya, iPad OS is not macOS, and when you think that you need to bring your trackpad and keyboard to make it a real laptop replacement, it fails in all regard to be light and portable. For me the iPad is where I consume my media, the MacBook is where I do EVERYTHING. If I was pushed to choose a single device, I would choose the iPhone, but close second the MacBook would be there as my sole device.

 

[jpcyr]

This was my favorite Mac. I bought a 13” M4 Air and I’m convinced it’s the spiritual successor to the 12” retina MacBook.

I have a MBA M4, right now. I love the silence and the speed, but the weight and size, it just doesn't cut it. It's the elephant, compare to the mouse.

 

[speedyraf]

I also have a MacBook Air M4 with is a nice machine. If an ultraportable MacBook came out in a couple of years, I'd think about it seriously.

 

[Lioness~]

Bring it BACK! I loved mine!

I will sell my M3 13'6 in a heartbeat!