Apple Says Original 12-Inch MacBook Will Be Obsolete at End of June

[chucker23n1]

Insist with this “make it big” theory: all Apple laptop keyboards are the same as the larger ones. The 12” PowerBooks had the same size as the 15” and 17” PowerBooks. The same happened with the keyboards of the MacBook 12” and 13”, at some point in 2012 to standardise production the Airs received the same size of the top lid as the MacBook Pro 13”, while until 2011 they were slightly smaller. Only the 11”, both iPad and MacBook Air, had smaller keyboards.

As seen so far you have your own mental form and you continue to support it.
Make it big!

I don't even know what you're arguing any more. Yes, current Apple laptop keyboards are the same. That's exactly why the 12-inch MacBook had a different one: the regular one didn't fit. Then, once it had that, they thought they could change all other laptops to have the new, smaller one, and that turned out to be one of their biggest missteps in the 2010s.

 

[Xand&Roby]

I don't even know what you're arguing any more. Yes, current Apple laptop keyboards are the same. That's exactly why the 12-inch MacBook had a different one: the regular one didn't fit. Then, once it had that, they thought they could change all other laptops to have the new, smaller one, and that turned out to be one of their biggest missteps in the 2010s.

But what are you talking about?
MacBook 12” keyboard as the same size of iMac keyboard.

Second generation butterfly keyboard in the MacBook.
Scissor keyboard in the second generation wireless keyboard.

The difference between the two is the thickness.
The reason is to make a MacBook that appeared thinner than the MacBook Air.

 

[darngooddesign]

The 12” MacBook failed because the perception was that it was underpowered, ran hot, had a terrible keyboard, and was too expensive, not because it was too small. Its size was the initial appeal and draw, but ironically, also its Achilles heel due to hardware limitations at the time.

Apple Silicon and the latest MacBook keyboards would address all these issues. Apple could make the fastest, coolest-running, smallest and lightest MacBook in history, but as others have pointed out, perhaps they don’t want to take away from their expensive iPad Pro line, or they just don’t see a large enough market for a tiny MacBook.

It would be an instant buy for me, even at a premium. Especially if it had integrated 5G. Ah, one can dream…

I don’t think we will ever get a thinner MB because the MacBook keyboards are thicker than they were then.

 

[chucker23n1]

But what are you talking about?
MacBook 12” keyboard as the same size of iMac keyboard.

Second generation butterfly keyboard in the MacBook.
Scissor keyboard in the second generation wireless keyboard.

The difference between the two is the thickness.

Do you think thickness isn't an aspect of size?

The reason is to make a MacBook that appeared thinner than the MacBook Air.

Yeah. And you know what a MacBook that's thicker is called? The MacBook Air.

 

[Sowelu]

But the "terrible keyboard" achilles heel would remain. Yes, they have much better SoC options now, but we already have an answer to "what would a fanless laptop with an Apple ARM SoC, designed from scratch look like?": the M2 MacBook Air has a completely new design. So the question remains: would a smaller laptop, with the inevitable limitations that would entail, be worth it? And so far, their answer is clearly: no.

(Would they be able to fit an M2 in a 12-inch MacBook-like chassis? Probably; it does fit in the 11-inch iPad Pro, after all.)



The latest MacBook keyboards are much thicker. Which was really the mechanical issue in the first place: they simply had too many compromises in order for it to fit. Typing speed and reliability suffered.



A tiny MacBook with a keyboard whose reputation is poor. Or one with a better keyboard, but not so tiny at all. In fact, barely smaller than the current Air, at that point.

I would love a smaller version of the current M2 Air - same design, just smaller and perhaps a bit thinner. I think a 1.5" (ish) smaller display would make a nice difference in size - just look at the MBPs side by side.

Yes, that is true about the newer (better) keyboards being a bit thicker. Perhaps a 12" MacBook in the future could have the most efficient M3 which may allow for a thinner battery. I also wouldn't mind the same thickness, just a smaller footprint and less weight.

But I agree, the current M2 Air is a well designed, powerful and highly portable thin and light as it is, and Apple probably doesn't see the need to go any smaller. I do wish the Air's bezels were as thin as the Pro's, but I am sure they have their reasons.

 

[darngooddesign]

Apple could have paved the way for a new 12” Air by dropping ‘Air’ from the redesigned 13.6”s name, but Apple has been pretty dumb with their product and chip names so maybe they will have a new 12” MacBook which is airier than the actual MacBookAir.

 

[tgwaste]

Apple (the complete and utter piece of crap company that they are) in their infinite wisdom would not let me replace my battery. They said it tested good so they refused my $249 for a replacement. Even though the battery doesn't even last a single hour on light usage.

Unbelievable. of course I know WHY.. because the CON MEN they are want to force me into a new computer by keeping my experience crappy with the current one.

It was a long drive to that store to. I absolutely despise this company.

 

[JiggyJaggy]

Does it not come up with a Service Required message if it only lets an hour? Saying that mine lasts about 2 hours and doesn't come up with a Service Required message.

Anyone who has changed their battery....is it significantly better?

 

[4389842]

Facts facts facts: facts remains that who has nothing to talk believes market has facts.
Market, at best, has numbers of sells, not facts.
You can't argue your own thought and talk about facts, but what facts? Fantasies.

The point is you are repeating what I wrote days ago, but while I’m made my thought (and it can’t intend to be a fact) you’re talking about “facts” that you believe are truth.
Grow up, facts.

“and it likely offers the product quality people seem to consider sufficient.”: tries to fix a minimally coherent point.
Do products come from global trends? And then when they produced the 12” it was because the global trend had required it, otherwise they wouldn't have produced it.
Or are all products that don't sell well born out of someone's imagination while those that sell well were born from the facts?

Try to apply a minimum of scientific method in what you say.

If you are not an engineer you have all the parameters to become one. And it's not a compliment.
Facts.

Lol, you clearly have no grasp of how markets and consumer demand work.

Enjoy the reality distortion field

Oh, I am in fact an engineer

 

[Xand&Roby]

Apple (the complete and utter piece of crap company that they are) in their infinite wisdom would not let me replace my battery. They said it tested good so they refused my $249 for a replacement. Even though the battery doesn't even last a single hour on light usage.

Unbelievable. of course I know WHY.. because the CON MEN they are want to force me into a new computer by keeping my experience crappy with the current one.

It was a long drive to that store to. I absolutely despise this company.

Happened to me too: Two weeks before AppleCare+ was due, battery at 81%. "No, we won't change it." "But it's worn out, you can see it too!" "Yes, but it's within the parameters, slightly but it is, so I can't change it for you." Two days after the expiry of the AC+ the Mac gives the battery replacement message. I extended the AC+ for another year and they will pay for the repair.

Lol, you clearly have no grasp of how markets and consumer demand work.

Enjoy the reality distortion field

Oh, I am in fact an engineer

No, in fact I trained in that sector, unlike you, engineer.

And don't worry, you're not the first one I recognize by scent, half a world away: you all have the same mindset, known one known all. I even had an engineer wife, imagine if I don't recognize you.

 

[Roadster Lewis]

Just make a repair request through apples website, and you’ll bring it into the store. They’ll do their battery test, and I believe it’s 200$ that you then pay. They'll take it for a few days and then you back, this will be my second battery replacement for it

I used the UK service estimate page, it looks like mine is going to be £230 when I take it in later in the week.

Does it not come up with a Service Required message if it only lets an hour? Saying that mine lasts about 2 hours and doesn't come up with a Service Required message.

Anyone who has changed their battery....is it significantly better?

I’ll let you know. Mine has had the battery service warning for a while, but only changing it now because it seems like it might be the last opportunity. I’ll update this thread with how I get on.

 

[JiggyJaggy]

Thanks mate, may follow your lead on this one as I love my Macbook 12 so willing to spend £200 to keep it going on Ventura for another 2/3 years hopefully. Ditched my M2 MBA, it was overkill for my needs, and just bought the official Apple sleeve in Navy to carry the Laptop round.

 

[JiggyJaggy]

Has anyone had direct comparison for a 8gb ram Macbook 12 vs a 16gb ram model? Is there any noticeable speed / performance difference? Just wondering if it's worth upgrading?

 

[chucker23n1]

Has anyone had direct comparison for a 8gb ram Macbook 12 vs a 16gb ram model? Is there any noticeable speed / performance difference? Just wondering if it's worth upgrading?

Upgrading to a model that isn't even supported by the next macOS release?

Or are you talking about a MacBook Air?

 

[Xand&Roby]

Has anyone had direct comparison for a 8gb ram Macbook 12 vs a 16gb ram model? Is there any noticeable speed / performance difference? Just wondering if it's worth upgrading?

Here is the difference:

As you could see the BTO options, 16 Gb of RAM and 1.4Ghz i7 instead of 8 Gb of RAM and 1.3Ghz m3 didn’t make huge differences, the i7 has termal throttling issue, and that’s another reason why today AIR has not CPU’s options, but with Intel it was another game.

Or are you talking about a MacBook Air?

Has anyone had direct comparison for a 8gb ram Macbook 12 vs a 16gb ram model? Is there any noticeable speed / performance difference? Just wondering if it's worth upgrading?

 

[chucker23n1]

Thank you for quoting my own post back to me so I understand it better.

 

[Roadster Lewis]

I have dropped my MacBook off at the Apple Store, they have said that it will be 3 to 5 days to get the battery (and lower plate) in, and then 7 to 10 days to do the repair. Apparently, they are a nightmare to do, as they have particularly fiddly wires inside. It is going to cost £245.

 

[darngooddesign]

I have dropped my MacBook off at the Apple Store, they have said that it will be 3 to 5 days to get the battery (and lower plate) in, and then 7 to 10 days to do the repair. Apparently, they are a nightmare to do, as they have particularly fiddly wires inside. It is going to cost £245.

It will be interesting to hear if the performance has gotten better/smoother, like with iPhones, with a healthy battery.

 

[Roadster Lewis]

I should have done a GeekBench run before and after...

I am writing this post on the MacBook on battery power. Apple underpromised and over delivered on the timescale - I dropped it off on the Thursday evening and was told 3 to 5 days to get the parts in, then 7 to 10 days to do the work. They called me 5 days later to say that it was ready!

I have been using it on battery for the last 30 minutes or so, and the bar has barely moved. For the last few years it simply shut down if you unplugged it (particularly annoying when you only have have one USB-C port).

 

[Roadster Lewis]

I have just found a GeekBench 5 score from when I compared it to my 14" MBP (in 2021, when the battery was so poor I could not sell it anywhere). I ran another test with the new battery and there is a decent improvement!

It shouldn't matter, but I will note that I have done a fresh install of macOS (High Sierra) between these runs.

 

[JiggyJaggy]

Do you think you would upgrade to a newer OS now that the battery is replaced? Could I ask a favour, could you let us know how long the battery lasts in approx hours before going flat?

Im seriously considering replacing mine so I can take my MB 12 with me for coffee shop runs and travelling... TIA

 

[loby]

Big Sur in Macbook 2015 runs good. The last few updates really made a difference. My suggestion is to do a complete install (erase everything). Noticed it runs a little faster when you do that instead of just upgrading..

 

[Roadster Lewis]

Do you think you would upgrade to a newer OS now that the battery is replaced? Could I ask a favour, could you let us know how long the battery lasts in approx hours before going flat?

Im seriously considering replacing mine so I can take my MB 12 with me for coffee shop runs and travelling... TIA

I can't officially update macOS, I know there are ways around it, but I think I will just keep it on High Sierra, maybe in the future I'll put Linux on it though.

To be honest I have only been using my work-supplied M1 MBA recently, I haven't had a chance to use the little MacBook at all.