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Apple May Still Be Planning to Reintroduce 12-Inch MacBook
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The problem is Apple has repeatedly misgauged the market for small devices and tech reviewers and pundits did them no favors. Compact devices have almost always been coveted by pros and executives where smallness is the premium feature not the cost saving compromise. All customers like me wanted was more power and storage. The webcam and single port were not really an issue and the butterfly keyboard, while not ideal, was an acceptable compromise if it only had been more reliable long-term. No tablet, and certainly not an iPad in any of their current incarnations is going to replace the MacBook for those that need it. Trying to make this a "cheap" computer is very misguided as I and many like me would have happily paid twice the price for just little more umph.
This was already broken during Steve Jobs.
In 2008 Apple had three different lines of portable computers.
I don’t think so. Folks choosing the iPad are choosing it because they like the set of features it has, one of which is the potential to have always on cellular internet, which the Mac likely won’t get. And, iPadOS and its vast array of apps.
A lot of Mac folks may spend some time with an iPad and find themselves floating back to the Mac. But, that’s not indicative of what folks who started computing using the iPad are likely to do. I’d guess that the iPad will continue to outsell the Mac.
Not really, iPads are incredibly crippled devices and once you put a stupid keyboard and case on it it’s fatter and heavier than a MacBook Air.
Then all the ridiculous dongles you need for peripherals, the ones that actually work, anyway.
There is pretty much no use case for an iPad air with a keyboard that can’t be covered by the base MacBook Air except digital illustrator/artist and arguably they likely don’t need the keyboard.
I would love a proper Mac with a keyboard, trackpad and non-crippled OS the size of an iPad Air and smaller and thinner than the current MacBook Air and if priced right it would be an instant purchase.
I know what you mean, and I totally agree. What I feel is silly is for Apple to have tons of devices of all sizes, when I think it should focus on fewer but greater devices.
That was then. Now with M2, it can be a do-it-all workhorse.
Day one buy for me. The portability of the 12 inch Macbook was absolutely fantastic. Stick Apple silicon & a better keyboard in it & it’s the perfect computer. I’d pay more than the 13 inch Air if it’s significantly lighter.
They really should make this the "Mac Mini" of the MacBook line, IMO.
And, having the option to have internet access wherever you are with no external hardware required.
They will either:
- make a laptop that is substantially smaller than a 13" Air, which is not 12" but rather 11", with a (IMO cramped) keyboard like the 11" iPad Pro Magic Keyboard, or
- make a laptop that is substantially smaller than a 14" Pro, which would be 12"
I agree. It will be a whole different ball game now with Apple silicon.
This was the only MacBook in recent memory that actually had any interesting colors, so of course they killed it. It'd be great to see it come back with some bold, distinctive colors.
what I’m about to describe obviously won’t happen with Apple Silicon, but: never forget the time someone I know put their MacBook in an open freezer to cool it down 
(yeah, not the best computer for an Ivy League student. probably should’ve intervened on that one. they’ve got an M1 Air now and they love it.)
a true stain on Ive’s reputation, in every way possible.
slap a proper keyboard on this, add MagSafe/another USB-C, and it could be an incredible entry-level MB in the Mx era.
(yeah, not the best computer for an Ivy League student. probably should’ve intervened on that one. they’ve got an M1 Air now and they love it.)a true stain on Ive’s reputation, in every way possible.
slap a proper keyboard on this, add MagSafe/another USB-C, and it could be an incredible entry-level MB in the Mx era.
I think the "MacBook" name should always have a qualifier tagged on. Otherwise, it suffers from a perception that it's underpowered. I'm glad that Apple has held onto the "Air" name for that reason. Just having a machine called "MacBook" is confusing to consumers alongside the Air and Pro variants. Apple has hurt itself by ditching the wedge design of the Air, so if they do introduce just "MacBook", what makes the Air an Air? Confusing all around.
My guess is no notch (but thinner bezels compared to M1 MBA) and using older generation M chip, marketed as the MacBook. Replaces M1 MBA at the $999 price point.
Don't think it can be as thin as the previous MacBook without Butterfly keyboard?
Don't think it can be as thin as the previous MacBook without Butterfly keyboard?
For the same reason that 14" is better than 13". Or a 6" iPhone is better than a 5" iPhone.
Sometimes smaller is better. When they replaced the iPhone SE with the iPhone XR, sure, it had vastly better battery life, but it was very hard to operate with one hand. Just a one-inch difference in screen size made all the difference to user experience. Same goes for laptop screens... that extra inch opens up so much more screen real estate, or smaller can bring a nice, compact machine for touting around.
Keep it fairly simple.
MacBook SE 12"
MacBook Air 13"/15"
MacBook Pro 14"/16"
The name needs a designator at this point. Just MacBook is useless now.
MacBook SE 12"
MacBook Air 13"/15"
MacBook Pro 14"/16"
The name needs a designator at this point. Just MacBook is useless now.
Seems like a waste of apple's resources, if you ask me.
I'm probably the only one who bought 3 of them. I remember that many have bought them, because there are several used ones but they are not found for less than 400€ in my area.
My dead 12" MBA sits on my desk as a reminder of portable perfection.