Don't know whether a 12" MacBook will come back. Pricing will be key to its success.
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Apple May Still Be Planning to Reintroduce 12-Inch MacBook
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I would buy this tomorrow. Still rock my 2017 Macbook Air 12-inch (i5/8GB) for travel. Still perfectly fine for editing my travel photos in Adobe Camera Raw (either in Photoshop or Lightroom Classic). Still ~0.7-0.8 pounds lighter than a M1/M2 air, and much smaller (those super small carry-on luggage dimensions, and 15 pound carry-on weight limit - some as low as 11lb.- hasn't changed and I go carry-on only... so every bit lighter/smaller is appreciated).
And no, an iPad is STILL not a replacement for a real laptop, in any way, shape, or form IMO. Also, fun fact: add a keyboard/trackpad to that iPad and it's HEAVIER than the 12-inch MacBook still!!!
And no, an iPad is STILL not a replacement for a real laptop, in any way, shape, or form IMO. Also, fun fact: add a keyboard/trackpad to that iPad and it's HEAVIER than the 12-inch MacBook still!!!
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💯 They tried so hard to shove the iPad down our throats as a laptop replacement but it just never got there even with the M1/M2 chips. Not to mention an iPad with a keyboard is bulkier and heavier than the skinny 12" MacBook.
🗣️ Bring the 12" back!
The current MBA is 0.44 in (1.1 cm). That makes it thinner than any previous Air. Even a little thinner than the 12” MacBook. Of course those models had the wedge shape that showed a very thin front edge to trick you into seeing it as thinner. It’s a trick played on your eyes. The M2 Air is more honest about its form and is ultimately thinner. I suppose Apple could make them a little thinner if people wanted less battery life but that would not be a popular tradeoff.
- 2017 MBA 0.11 in (0.3 cm) to 0.68 in (1.7 cm)
- 2008/2009 MBA 0.16 in (0.4 cm) to 0.76 in (1.9 cm)
- 12” MacBook 0.14 in (0.36 cm) to 0.52 in (1.3 cm)
The 13” M2 Air is thinner than any previous Air and lighter than all but the old non-retina Airs of several years ago.
Would be a bit silly to do a 12" when the 13" Air is already so small. Personally, I'm fine with iPad and keyboard for an ultra portable computer. And either the Air or the MacBook Pro is already a small laptop. If they want to go smaller than the Air, then show some courage and go with an 11". It will still get fantastic "all day" battery life and Apple can make it truly lightweight and you can still fit in a full sized keyboard in that form factor. .
Those who think the Air 11” was a good Mac probably never used it. 16:9, no Retina display.
The same mistake made on iPad: going from a better aspect ratio to a worse one. It’s no coincidence that the MacBook Retina 12” after the Air 11” wasn’t 16:9, and no, it’s not just for the larger keyboard or battery.
Then someone is surprised if square screens are appreciated more in specific uses other than watching videos on YT or other platforms.
Am I wrong or does the 12.9” iPad Pro have a conservative aspect ratio compared to all the others iPad currently on sale?
The same mistake made on iPad: going from a better aspect ratio to a worse one. It’s no coincidence that the MacBook Retina 12” after the Air 11” wasn’t 16:9, and no, it’s not just for the larger keyboard or battery.
Then someone is surprised if square screens are appreciated more in specific uses other than watching videos on YT or other platforms.
Am I wrong or does the 12.9” iPad Pro have a conservative aspect ratio compared to all the others iPad currently on sale?
I used an 11 inch Air and I get where you're coming from, that was quite a strange aspect ratio.
I also dusted off my 2017 Air and wow, that screen downgrade was so noticeable.
Thank me or I’ll tell apple to pull the plug!
The M2 MBA already sells for $1200. The 12” MacBook was a step up from the MBA in price.
iPad 10 is not the lowest tier, it’s the iPad 9 with old design. The current Apple will not let any redesign into their entry level product. With that in mind, a 12” MacBook has no place in the current lineup, unless it becomes an actually more premium consumer laptop, replacing the 13” MacBook Pro, above the current MacBook Air.
Agree about price drop, ie it will never happen. And Apple of today will also never sell a laptop cheaper than $999. There will never be an $899 MacBook. So the current lineup is already “optimal” from Apple’s perspective. A 12” MacBook makes no sense. Apple would direct anyone looking for cheaper portables to the iPad.
Lol $699. Never gonna happen.
Rebrand this as the MBA, and the current 13" (and soon to be 15") as just 'MacBooks'. Would make for a clean lineup:
12" MacBook Air
13"/15" MacBook
14"/16" MacBook Pro
Something for everyone.
12" MacBook Air
13"/15" MacBook
14"/16" MacBook Pro
Something for everyone.
I'd buy this thing with whatever Apple M processor on day 1! The iPad Pro with a keyboard is heavy and clunky in comparison and - more importantly - does not run on macOS. I need several apps for my work that are not as resource-hungry to require a Macbook Pro but still go beyond Office applications that one can use on ipadOS (and even MS Office comes with severe restrictions on iPadOS). Get work done on the road on macOS. Perfect fit for an airplane tray table. Did I mention that I would buy such a device in a heartbeat? 
Yes, by being much thicker. I'm not sure today's Apple wants to do that again.
Besides, they now have the 14-inch, which is much smaller than the 15-inch of the time.
Here's the thing... you could fit a 13" (well okay 12.9") display in the MB12 form factor... so basically you could get the current 13" M1 MBA in the form factor of the MB12... and there is a very noticeable different in form factor/weight between the two... you think the MBA13 is lean and light? Spend a few weeks with the MB12 and it'll feel like a metal Tonka truck.
Heck even the iPP11 feels clunky in comparison... and you can't do development or serious workflows on an iPad (even my quarterly VAT filings are a one hour PITA on the iPad compared to my 20min on macOS)... for all those that keep thinking the iPP can replace a small MBA outside of Mickey Mouse (tm) tasks
Heck even the iPP11 feels clunky in comparison... and you can't do development or serious workflows on an iPad (even my quarterly VAT filings are a one hour PITA on the iPad compared to my 20min on macOS)... for all those that keep thinking the iPP can replace a small MBA outside of Mickey Mouse (tm) tasks
14/16 MacBook Pro for those that need the beast - M*Pro/Max 16GB-96GB (2023)
13/15 MacBook for those that have everyday to heavy CPU workflows and need a decent sized screen - M*/M*Pro(?), 8GB-32GB (2023)
12.5 MacBook Air (the MB12 with less bezel) for those with everyday workflows and need max portability - M* or M*-1 to make it the entry level device, 8/16GB (2023).
Doesn't seem overly complicated IMO
My daughter still uses a 12" MacBook for school. With my old eyes, a 15“ MacBook Air would be preferable.
Fun thoughts
I’m going to put my chair CEO hat for a second. Apple wouldn’t do this, but it’s fun to play 🤭
One scenario, following the iPad model. The iPad has a lineup of iPad for entry level, iPad Air for mainstream, and iPad Pro for premium. Assuming that, first I would get rid of the 13” MBP. Best done when M3 is out, assuming the 3nm node means the M3 can perform as well as a lightly cooled M2. This creates room to increase the MacBook Air price point. Apple can do this by adding the 15” MBA and upping the base config as 8/512. Then Apple can simply reuse the old 12” MacBook design for the entry level model.
So $999 12” M2 Macbook 8/256
$1299 13” M3 MacBook Air 8/512
$1499 15” M3 MacBook Air 8/512
$1999 14” M3 Pro MacBook Pro 16/512
And so on. Quite nice lineup, closely aligned to the ipad lineup.
Marketing will show that now you can have M2 for less ($999), and more value for MacBook Air (8/512 for $100 less than today)
I’m going to put my chair CEO hat for a second. Apple wouldn’t do this, but it’s fun to play 🤭
One scenario, following the iPad model. The iPad has a lineup of iPad for entry level, iPad Air for mainstream, and iPad Pro for premium. Assuming that, first I would get rid of the 13” MBP. Best done when M3 is out, assuming the 3nm node means the M3 can perform as well as a lightly cooled M2. This creates room to increase the MacBook Air price point. Apple can do this by adding the 15” MBA and upping the base config as 8/512. Then Apple can simply reuse the old 12” MacBook design for the entry level model.
So $999 12” M2 Macbook 8/256
$1299 13” M3 MacBook Air 8/512
$1499 15” M3 MacBook Air 8/512
$1999 14” M3 Pro MacBook Pro 16/512
And so on. Quite nice lineup, closely aligned to the ipad lineup.
Marketing will show that now you can have M2 for less ($999), and more value for MacBook Air (8/512 for $100 less than today)
The caveat to this is to get it that small required some expensive/finicky custom tech. That meant it needed to be priced around the level of a 13" MacBook Pro at the time. Whether Apple Silicon would allow them to do without the terraced battery and bottom case, the butterfly keyboard, and the much denser logic board is probably the key to whether this could be an economically viable product now. Before people come in with the "I'd pay a premium for the smaller size" argument, you may, but will people be willing to pay hundreds more over a similar 13" MBA en masse? Positioning this to appeal beyond a niche would be tricky if they can't get the margins they want on a $999 starting price at most.
The possible solution may be using the new design language, allowing more space inside, but will that take away some of the diminutive feel that is what fans of this form factor love about it?
The possible solution may be using the new design language, allowing more space inside, but will that take away some of the diminutive feel that is what fans of this form factor love about it?