Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
1. Because an ultralight MacBook would be -- get ready for it -- much lighter than the current Air.

2. Believe it or not, some people find they're more productive on MacOS, even on a screen the same size as than on an iPad. Even if I was just writing, I would prefer a proper laptop with a proper keyboard and a real OS. I don't care to fight iPadOS's many limitations, so I use Macs for that reason. I don't think I'm the only one.
Exactly. The current MBA is 2.7 lbs and my 12" MacBook is 2.02 lbs. I tried the M2 MBA and it is just too heavy and big for me. I travel all the time and I don't want an iPad, it's just that simple. I'm betting the new/next 12" MB will be 1.99 lbs...what do you think?
 
I guess the question needs to be asked then..."Why did they release it at all in 2015"? It's obvious from all of the comments on the thread that there is a market for it. I certainly will not be retiring my 2017 12" MacBook until it is released. I have no desire for a heavier bigger laptop like the MBA.
 
I would like something ultra portable, with some current gen apple silicon processor, that is rugged at the same time. Sort of more robust than an air. Ready to be thrown around or get wet and such or just be thrown in a backpack with no sleeve or anything. It could be even made of plastic if you like.
Besides getting it wet, you can do all that with a regular aluminum MBA. They're a lot more robust than they feel.
 
Besides getting it wet, you can do all that with a regular aluminum MBA. They're a lot more robust than they feel.
A 3 lbs laptop is not considered ultra-portable. I don't know why it is so hard for people on this forum to think that the MBA is usable for others. It is simply not. Apple has a history of making ultra portables (11" MBA & 12" MB), so speculating that this will stop is just a ridiculous opinion.
 
A 3 lbs laptop is not considered ultra-portable. I don't know why it is so hard for people on this forum to think that the MBA is usable for others. It is simply not. Apple has a history of making ultra portables (11" MBA & 12" MB), so speculating that this will stop is just a ridiculous opinion.
I wonder how many people who wanted ultraportable laptops 5 years ago are just using an iPad now though. We all know the OS is super limiting, but it works for most people I know.
 
The reasons why an iPad won't work are endless and I don't understand why people can't stop suggesting this option. If an iPad worked then laptops would have disappeared a long time ago. But here is the biggest reason: I DON'T WANT ONE.
 
This seems like a no-brainer (to a still-owner of a 2017 MacBook). Apple in 2023 does not make an ultraportable* computer. Which is crazy.

Take the new MacBook Air, trim off the edges (the full-size MacBook keyboard went edge-to-edge left-to-right), shrink the battery, and you are done. Right? If Apple wants to insist this is for "pros", then make the default ram / SSD / M2 chip higher specs and charge more. They will sell. Plenty of business people travel a ton and want the lightest usable computer.

*
MacBook Air 2023: 2.8 pounds
MacBook 12'': 2 pounds
Macbook air is already ultraportable unless you are 12 with muscular atrophy
 
  • Haha
Reactions: ric22
The reasons why an iPad won't work are endless and I don't understand why people can't stop suggesting this option. If an iPad worked then laptops would have disappeared a long time ago. But here is the biggest reason: I DON'T WANT ONE.
The one who started “suggesting” iPad instead of a laptop was Tim Apple..

Is Tim in this thread.. LOL
 
  • Like
Reactions: transphasic
My Early 2015 12" Macbook has been great for 8 years now. The butterfly keyboard has never bothered me. The size and weight have been perfect for everyday use and Adobe photo editing my way around the world. Its only issues have been a new keyboard after some keys failing in a high humidity environment and a new battery after Apple quit replacing them for free, of course. I've been eyeing the new Macbook Air with the M2 chip, but the prospect of Apple putting a M2 in a 12" will keep me waiting to purchase for as long as possible.
 
  • Like
Reactions: loby
My Early 2015 12" Macbook has been great for 8 years now. The butterfly keyboard has never bothered me. The size and weight have been perfect for everyday use and Adobe photo editing my way around the world. Its only issues have been a new keyboard after some keys failing in a high humidity environment and a new battery after Apple quit replacing them for free, of course. I've been eyeing the new Macbook Air with the M2 chip, but the prospect of Apple putting a M2 in a 12" will keep me waiting to purchase for as long as possible.
I took my 12" MacBook 2015 in for a battery replacement one week before the increased in the service cost for replacement.

The price went up about $100 more a few days ago with a total of U.S. approx. $350+ tax. I paid about $250+ U.S. (Just made it before the price hike). Apple may incite battery or resource inflation costs to justify the increase, but we all know the real reason...Tim...

Those who are thinking about a battery replacement NOW (due to costs) have to determine if it is worth it for you to keep the small 12" going and therefore have to accept paying deeply for it if you have Apple do it. Good job Apple, you know what you are doing...$

My MacBook Pro 2018 battery replacement will cost around $1,000 now to do....that model has a battery glued also and to replace the battery includes having to replace the track pad and bottom fixture along with other parts. Before the hike it costed $800-850...now....

So REALLY for MacBook Pro 2018 that i paid over $5,000 for in 2018, I am paying $1,000 a year to lease. I have to now get rid of it (or recycle it) once the battery goes out. If I give it to Apple and purchase another after 5 years when the battery goes out, then REALLY...WE are just leasing Apple products (or really a Mac subscription).

Good job Tim...
you are a master snake oil salesman (and rich too)! Apple is concerned about the environment...LOL!!!!!
 
I took my 12" MacBook 2015 in for a battery replacement one week before the increased in the service cost for replacement.

The price went up about $100 more a few days ago with a total of U.S. approx. $350+ tax. I paid about $250+ U.S. (Just made it before the price hike). Apple may incite battery or resource inflation costs to justify the increase, but we all know the real reason...Tim...

Those who are thinking about a battery replacement NOW (due to costs) have to determine if it is worth it for you to keep the small 12" going and therefore have to accept paying deeply for it if you have Apple do it. Good job Apple, you know what you are doing...$

My MacBook Pro 2018 battery replacement will cost around $1,000 now to do....that model has a battery glued also and to replace the battery includes having to replace the track pad and bottom fixture along with other parts. Before the hike it costed $800-850...now....

So REALLY for MacBook Pro 2018 that i paid over $5,000 for in 2018, I am paying $1,000 a year to lease. I have to now get rid of it (or recycle it) once the battery goes out. If I give it to Apple and purchase another after 5 years when the battery goes out, then REALLY...WE are just leasing Apple products (or really a Mac subscription).

Good job Tim...
you are a master snake oil salesman (and rich too)! Apple is concerned about the environment...LOL!!!!!
Apple really charge that much for battery replacements?

It does bother me how Apple like to bang on about their environmental efforts, only to engineer their devices to be hard to service and repair, and impossible to upgrade. Soldered down SSD's shouldn't be a thing. Personally I'd also trade off that smidgen of lost performance, and half mm of thickness, for replaceable RAM.
 
Remember those little netbooks from several years ago? I had one that had (I think) an 11.6 inch screen. And yes, it was definitely on the slower side of things (believe it had a low power Celeron processor in it). But I used it all the time. Loved the portability. Could easily put it in my backpack and when I biked around town, I'd barely notice it was there. Also had an actual usable keyboard which didn't take much getting used to.

So I would love having a 12" Macbook. And with a modern SSD in it, I would bet it would be even more super light and portable. Even with an M1 processor in it, it would run many circles around that old netbook processor that I used to use.

If they make this, I will go back to using Macbooks once again.
 
A cheaper entry model of MacBook would be a great idea, but I don’t think they should do 12”. I don’t see how 12” is much smaller than 13”, especially if they used smaller bezels and a notch like the new MacBook Air does. Besides, I think the iPad would be a better option for this form factor, especially if iPadOS gains more of macOS’s capabilities. Though a detachable iPad/MacBook in that form factor would be awesome. But that’s just my opinion, I know a lot of people loved the 12” MacBook, so maybe they could offer an entry level MacBook in a 12” and 13”?
 
A cheaper entry model of MacBook would be a great idea, but I don’t think they should do 12”. I don’t see how 12” is much smaller than 13”, especially if they used smaller bezels and a notch like the new MacBook Air does. Besides, I think the iPad would be a better option for this form factor, especially if iPadOS gains more of macOS’s capabilities. Though a detachable iPad/MacBook in that form factor would be awesome. But that’s just my opinion, I know a lot of people loved the 12” MacBook, so maybe they could offer an entry level MacBook in a 12” and 13”?
If they make it 2 lb it will be significantly lighter. Of course the windows world has shown us many 2 lb 13” laptops. I think it would be great if they resurrect the old tapered design even with bezels and all, just upgrade the camera and use an M processor.

And of course address the issues causing eye strain and headaches for some of us on M laptops. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: ric22 and Kal Madda
Exactly. The current MBA is 2.7 lbs and my 12" MacBook is 2.02 lbs. I tried the M2 MBA and it is just too heavy and big for me. I travel all the time and I don't want an iPad, it's just that simple. I'm betting the new/next 12" MB will be 1.99 lbs...what do you think?
I bought an ipad in about 2011 and barely used it, an 11" or 12" laptop like the 2017 would be ideal, if it had an M1/M2 processor with 512GB/16GB RAM.

A family member gave me their old 2017 12" (I bought them a 2022 MBA) and it is super portable - EXACTLY what apple should be offering to students/individuals seeking a truly ultra portable laptop, but in its usual obstinance refuses to do so again. For those of us who constantly travel, a 2lb or less laptop is a MUST, and the reason I bought a 13" Samsung Galaxybook 2 Pro 360 for this purpose, and would love to see Apple offer something similar.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Queen6
A new 12" MacBook with just an M1 SOC and dual USB C would be a superb ultraportable. I still have my 2015 12" sadly the battery is done and a replacement at Apple's pricing is far from attractive for an 8 year old notebook with just an Intel M3 CPU, if even possible.

For those of us who have used the 12" in anger we know all too well the benefits and TBH the deficits of the form factor, yet the former far outweighs the latter. Possible? maybe as Apple is increasingly unpredictable on the Mac side.

Other factors are inflation and exchange rates as in some regions Mac's are becoming stupidly priced. A sensibly priced 12" would fly off the shelves IMO; students, business travellers etc. A basic 12" with no trick & bells would sell as now even the Air is escalating in cost.

I took my 12" rMB all round SE Asia and into Papua New Guinea, cracking notebook as long as your need matched the computers performance. If I can source an independent Mac specialist I'll revive the 2015 as slow as it is by todays Apple Silicon standards the 12" rMB still remains the paramount in portability :cool:

Q-6
 
  • Like
Reactions: transphasic
^ I don’t think Apple cares about the low end. They are covered with M1 MBA for that. If they did introduce the 12”, it will probably start at higher than the 13 M1 MBA, unless they position it as netbook with a lower end processor, and small RAM and SSD.
 
Remember those little netbooks from several years ago? I had one that had (I think) an 11.6 inch screen. And yes, it was definitely on the slower side of things (believe it had a low power Celeron processor in it). But I used it all the time. Loved the portability. Could easily put it in my backpack and when I biked around town, I'd barely notice it was there. Also had an actual usable keyboard which didn't take much getting used to.

So I would love having a 12" Macbook. And with a modern SSD in it, I would bet it would be even more super light and portable. Even with an M1 processor in it, it would run many circles around that old netbook processor that I used to use.

If they make this, I will go back to using Macbooks once again.

I have a Acer 12" tablet focused 2in1 Switch 5 with just an Intel i3 CPU, 4GB RAM, 128 SSD. It's never failed to impress as long as I use it as intended. Bought it in 2017, it's updated to the latest W10 Pro. Switch 5 has just 8% battery wear, was used in a professional role for the majority of it's life and will continue.

You can if you whish pull it apart to increase the SSD storage or replace the battery relatively easily. Switch 5 has a micro SD slot so can increase storage significantly for media (1TB). Has biometric login, full pen & multi point touch input has never crashed or presented issue. At $600 USD with pen arguably one of my best IT purchases. The Switch 5 shows no sign of wear & tear, has a very smart cooling loop, doesn't throttle and built like a tank without the weight...

Alternatively my daughters 2020 iPad Air is dying, pencil is already done replaced by a 3rd party pencil at a fraction of the cost. The Apple KB quit working, Apple recommended to replace both the iPad & KB at significant cost, conveniently just outside of AppleCare. I cleaned the iPad & KB contact points with isopropanol alcohol as they were arcing, good as new. What a load of BS, piss poor design, far worse rip off customer service. If it took me 5 minutes to resolve I would be exaggerating.

My Switch 5 has had it's KB attached & detached countless times, yet it's contact points remain pristine? My daughters iPad Air cost close to my MBP. TBH potentially on my last Mac as sick and tired of Apple's hypocrisy. Far too much talk of protecting the environment with no real action/impact, just sales & marketing as it's products are the very antithesis of that.

Apple is by far the worst for repairability, deliberately so. Only things Apple cares about in 2023 is profit and negative press. In many respects Apple has become it's own 1984 nemesis...:(
The technology clearly exits, yet Apple continues to harp on about it being environmentally friendly, yet everything it produces telegraphs the very opposite...

Q-6
 
Last edited:
  • Disagree
  • Like
Reactions: Tagbert and brgjoe
No one is going to buy it for $1300 in 2024. It sold so poorly in 2015 that Apple discontinued after 2 years. 2 years!!

A $599 iPad Air M1 can easily replace it as a media device that can occasionally edit an Excel and write an email. In fact, an iPad can do a lot more than a 12" Macbook can.
I would. It sold poorly because it's performance was junk and didn't even have hardware acceleration until 2017. Ipad's are not the same. The speakers are no where near as good and it's not good on your lap. I'm writing this in a hotel bedroom as we speak and I wouldn't get to do this on an ipad. Then you have the OS limitations and the cost of a quality keyboard.
 
I would. It sold poorly because it's performance was junk and didn't even have hardware acceleration until 2017. Ipad's are not the same. The speakers are no where near as good and it's not good on your lap. I'm writing this in a hotel bedroom as we speak and I wouldn't get to do this on an ipad. Then you have the OS limitations and the cost of a quality keyboard.
Was priced too high, hot as a toaster. I liked mine a lot, it ran well in the ultra portable role, got the job done. It's battery failed and as per Apple, e-waste nonsense :rolleyes: There are zero reasons why Apple cant provide new batteries for these perfectly serviceable machines outside of their sheer greed to force more sales, but that's always been Apple's way...

The rMB remains to be adequate for basic productivity tasks. If I could buy a M1 model, I do so in a heartbeat, sadly that's not how Apple rolls.

Q-6
 
  • Like
Reactions: loby
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.