Apple Updates 12-Inch MacBook With Skylake Processors, Faster Graphics, Longer Battery Life, and Rose Gold

[smacrumon]

And here we have a great example of apples lack of attention to detail.
Try buying the unit and get an error page!
http://www.apple.com/us/shop/go/macbook/select

 

[avanpelt]

480p camera. Wow, I was using a webcam of that caliber over 10 years ago. Such a bizarre thing for Apple to continue to skimp on.

 

[manu chao]

The MBA is hopelessly outdated.

Because it doesn't use the not-yet-released 15-W TDP Skylake chips with the Iris 540 (6260U, 6360U, 6560U, 6650U, and 6660U)? Note that some 15-W TDP Skylake chips are out, but only those with the lower-performing HD 520. But since the still current MBAs use the higher-grade GPU (HD 6000 vs HD5500) available with 15-W TDP Broadwell chips, it's not unreasonable that Apple would wait for Iris 540 chips if they were to update the MBA.

 

[Lucjan]

I was so looking forward to this update as I was sure, they will finally add proper 4K support.
What a disappointment. I just don't get it, what's the point of a small notebook like that without being able to hook it up to a proper external display when at the office?

4K@30Hz is not viable for work and with all the other hardware Apple pushed their customers to high resolution retina screen with the newest product requiring to take a step back to 2560x1440 non-retina. Heck, there are already people out there who don't even have non-4K screens because switching between retina and non-retina screens is quite harsh on the eyes.

 

[NufSaid]

I am not a market for the macbook - this is a small note taking computer not a power house. I need power - I like big files and I cannot lie.

BUT I still feel this sense of Ugh when I see that one port still on this machine I am not going to buy. Why?

I fear it is the same feeling I will get when the announce the new Macbook Pro's in June.

"Hey, I know it has been like ...forever ago, but we have upped the processor to get 10% more speed"
And don't forget the magical rose gold!​

I willing to drop $3000 on a laptop/computer. It is my lifeblood and I am working with in multiple locations 6+ hours a day. But PLEASE apple....add the power and not the color.

 

[bmodi]

lots of people in this forum would also look for a smal car because they just need a smal one to drive in the city.
However they would complain about that the smal car does not have 4 doors, that the eninge has less PS than the one from a bigger car and so on. I mean, they do not need 4 doors and more PS and for their use they would even not recognize that there are 4 doors (because they just use it without any passengers) and more PS (because in the city they can anyway not drive faster)............but they complain.

I will never understand those people :-(

 

[manu chao]

The MBA is hopelessly outdated.

Because it doesn't use the not-yet-released 15-W TDP Skylake chips with the Iris 540 (6260U, 6360U, 6560U, 6650U, and 6660U)? Note that some 15-W TDP Skylake chips are out, but only those with the lower-performing HD 520. But since the still current MBAs use the higher-grade GPU (HD 6000 vs HD5500) available with 15-W TDP Broadwell chips, it's not unreasonable that Apple would wait for Iris 540 chips if they were to update the MBA.

 

[RamGuy]

480p camera. Wow, I was using a webcam of that caliber over 10 years ago. Such a bizarre thing for Apple to continue to skimp on.

It's rather strange why they don't offer the same iSight/Facetime camera as their MacBook Air and Pro's. But comparing a 10-year old 480p webcam with a 2016 480p webcam is rather useless. How many horrible 720P and 1080P does not float around on various notebooks and are next to useless.

 

[Wahlstrm]

Laughable specs aside, do people really work with a laptop that small? I am curious to know how would anyone use that for productivity, rather than media consumption or light Word and PowerPoint editing.

And that´s the target right there..
Students, CEOs, assistants, basic home users and office workers.
And you could probably write both Harry Potter and 50 shades of Space Gray on it if you wanted..

For every user here on Macrumors there is at least 10 000 people who couldn't care less about high end specs

 

[PTLove]

Because it doesn't use the not-yet-released 15-W TDP Skylake chips with the Iris 540 (6260U, 6360U, 6560U, 6650U, and 6660U)? Note that some 15-W TDP Skylake chips are out, but only those with the lower-performing HD 520. But since the still current MBAs use the higher-grade GPU (HD 6000 vs HD5500) available with 15-W TDP Broadwell chips, it's not unreasonable that Apple would wait for Iris 540 chips if they were to update the MBA.

I dont know why you think the Iris 540 chips arent released, but they most certainly are. The Dell XPS 13 has been shipping with the 6560U for over 2 months now. The Surface Pro 4 has it since last October.

I think its far more likely the MBA truly is EOL. There was zero reason for Apple to up its base configuration to 8GB today if a upgrade was coming at WWDC.

 

[citysnaps]

To all you whiners out there: if you didn't like the whole concept of this machine when they released it in 2015, did you really think the 2016 update would somehow turn things around 180 degrees to your liking?

I think a lot of them did because they are not engineers. Maybe those who in a few years do make it into college will understand that engineering is about managing a set of complex compromises to yield a laptop that provides the best overall user experience for the market segment Apple is trying to hit with this particular device.

Until then, it's much easier to whine, roll eyes, stomp feet, hold breath until blue, toss out a few "massive fails" and "utter disappointments" etc, thinking everything/anything is possible.

 

[toke lahti]

When was the first time this year Apple dropped the Air's price? Maybe I'm missing something.

2009.

 

[UltimateSyn]

Throw another one into the pile of "After an entire year without an upgrade they only give it a modest CPU upgrade? No TB3, improved camera, or price drop?"

I wonder what this means for the price of the upcoming newly designed rMBPs.

 

[Stella]

At last Skylake! Hopefully a bit beefier than old versions - that were underpowered.

Apple can showcase a Watch Strap at a Press Conference, but not a Laptop refresh!

Throw another one into the pile of "After an entire year without an upgrade they only give it a modest CPU upgrade? No TB3, improved camera, or price drop?"

I wonder what this means for the price of the upcoming newly designed rMBPs.

I'm not hopeful! Integrated only graphics, slimmer with more functionality removed.

 

[JohnnyGo]

I disagree. I keep my Air plugged in all the time. After 4 years the battery has only 184 cycles and 91% health. Check to see the cycle count of your MBA battery and its health.

Keeping the battery plugged in all the time is not bad as you think. Macs have a smart charge circuitry. When the charger is plugged in all the time, but the battery is fully charged, charging stops all together and only starts if the battery level drops to a certain value.

I do the same !
My sys info gives me this... where did you get your 91% health figure ?

Charge Information:

Charge Remaining (mAh): 7255

Fully Charged: Yes

Charging: No

Full Charge Capacity (mAh): 7255

Health Information:

Cycle Count: 132

Condition: Normal

 

[manu chao]

I disagree. I keep my Air plugged in all the time. After 4 years the battery has only 184 cycles and 91% health. Check to see the cycle count of your MBA battery and its health.

Keeping the battery plugged in all the time is not bad as you think. Macs have a smart charge circuitry. When the charger is plugged in all the time, but the battery is fully charged, charging stops all together and only starts if the battery level drops to a certain value.

Indeed, that value has been 95% for a long time. Essentially, the battery is left 'disconnected' until it drops below 95% due to self-discharge and then it is charged back up to 100%. This means that for probably 99+% of the time the battery is left alone.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Rose Gold in the notebook is actually beautiful.

I disagree. I do not need/want a pink laptop.

 

[Rigby]

Because it doesn't use the not-yet-released 15-W TDP Skylake chips with the Iris 540 (6260U, 6360U, 6560U, 6650U, and 6660U)?

No, mostly because the display is really not up to modern standards in its price range. If it had a high DPI display with good viewing angles, it would be a lot more attractive. It would also kill the rMB (which is probably why Apple doesn't upgrade the MBA).

 

[Serban]

All I want is a MacBook Air (with all its ports and battery life) with a Retina display! Why, Apple, why?!?

You have a 12" retina display with 10 h battery and you want a 13" retina with the same current 12h battery?? Not going to happen

 

[mattopotamus]

Throw another one into the pile of "After an entire year without an upgrade they only give it a modest CPU upgrade? No TB3, improved camera, or price drop?"

I wonder what this means for the price of the upcoming newly designed rMBPs.

If they have a total redesign, I am thinking right at $2K for entry level.

 

[Ghost31]

You don't think 1 port is ridiculous? You don't think having to use an expensive adapter that's an optional extra to charge & connect a device at the same time is not insane?

Why would that be insane when this is marketed as "this is the generation of wireless device"? Have you been paying attention to anything?

 

[iTom17]

It's kinda funny to see all those complainers here. They don't seem to realize that there's a huge difference in what purpose every model serves. MacBook Pro is for those who need the extra power, MacBook is most suitable for those who need ultra portability. You simply cannot expect Apple to give that ultra thin and light notebook that much extra power. It's just not made for it.

People need to calm the hell down and understand that difference. It's just like how we've got the smartphone and tablet. We use the iPhone for quick and most of our daily tasks, whereas the iPad can be used for more productive work (sending mails, working on documents etc.).

Speaking of the ports discussion: I think the MacBook is Apple's way to show us the future of notebook computing. We're gonna be in a completely wireless world in a few years, and they just want to prepare us for that. It's a good thing, honestly. Better now than in a few years. And the MacBook comes with the right technologies to actually make it work: AirPlay, AirPrint, AirDrop, Continuity, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0 and whatnot.

I do understand though, that the 12-inch MacBook has a completely different - and in my opinion more beautiful - design. And since there's no other, more powerful notebook from Apple with more ports as well that looks like it, we're kinda stuck. So I do get it in that way. But I think the vast majority doesn't think about it this way, or do they?

By the way, that rose gold looks AMAAAAAAZING.

 

[Serban]

I disagree. I do not need/want a pink laptop.

Because is not for you. But apple likes to offer colors for women too

 

[WiseAJ]

I just can't see whatever laptop they announce at WWDC to not have these four colors...

I absolutely love the coordination of the design language / colors across product lines. It really embraces the ecosystem feel; you can match all of your devices. The next iMacs will probably have the same colors.

No price drop on the new rMB strongly suggests that the Air still has life. I really hope that we don't just get new Airs during WWDC and don't get Pros until later

If only that were true for Space Grey. I would love that shade of space grey on my iPhone/iPad.

 

[soulreaver99]

Was hoping for Skylake i7 and better FaceTime camera. Too much wishful thinking on my end. I am glad I got an awesome deal on the 2015 MacBook 1.3/512 for $1000 on eBay