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

[jdiamond]

Still a single USB-C port (FFS!)
Intel HD Graphics 515
480p FaceTime camera (is this some sort of sick joke?)
No DDR4 RAM

IMO, that's why this was a "stealth update" - it's not a true revision, just a slight bump on some specs.

 

[KPOM]

Kind of interesting that Apple did not decide to use the m7 CPU at all. Just m3 or m5.

The m7 is a BTO, just like the higher-end Core M was last year.
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I think the most important thing out of today's updates is that the Air got a bump to Skylake as well, and a bump in minimum RAM to 8GB. This could suggest that Apple still has longer term plans for that product line than what others have been speculating.

The Air is still using Broadwell. All that changed is that 13" models all have 8GB RAM now.

 

[jonnysods]

It's a refreshing change to see something new come out on a Tuesday!

Reminds me of the good old days...

 

[Michael Goff]

One of the worst things you could do to your battery (phone, laptop, iPad) is to constantly plug and plug it; and that's exactly what a single port does for this one.

Wonder how bad the battery will be after a year or so of use

You do know modern laptops don't charge the battery after it's full, right?

 

[iZac]

up to 25% faster! Hold your horses Apple!

I jest, I know development is slowing down on the X86 side - but this is what was happening with PPC back in the day.

 

[TurboPGT!]

Now that's a complaint I can understand. Getting rid of MagSafe is really bizarre. I can't say how many times that little innovation has saved my MBP from being ripped off the desk. I really hope they aren't stupid enough to remove it from the rMBP...
Though, to be fair, I bet this is, once again, a case where the user they have in mind will basically never use it plugged in, and definitely won't want to take a power adapter with them. They'll charge it at home, over night, and can easily get through the day without recharging.

So the fact that weight plays a part in the effectiveness of MagSafe has never entered your consideration, eh?

 

[ARK]

Ok, I’ve been waiting to purchase my MacBook for a while now and was excited to see the refresh this morning but now I’m torn. Yes it’s faster and has better battery life but after seeing the refurbished models drop a good bit in price I’m debating on what to do now. The $1,299 price tag for the base model is ridiculous and what’s worse is that the highest end model costs $1,749 for the 1.3gHz M7 processor with 3.1gHz turbo boost and 512GB of flash storage and now last year’s highest end mode is going for $1,319. A mere $20 difference between the new base model. You guys have any advice? Should I splurge for the newest model or settle for last year’s? This computer will mainly be used as my portable go to computer. I have a maxed out 2013 15″ Retina MacBook Pro with 16GB of ram and 1TB SSD as my work horse and it’s still a beast but I need something portable for on the go and I love the MacBook. I’ve debated on the Air but decided against it and to go for the Retina MacBook.

Get last years.

 

[sunapple]

People complaining about the MacBook are basically complaining it's not June yet (WWDC). Bigger more powerful Skylake MacBooks will come...

 

[MacBH928]

For a moment there I got excited thinking this is the MacBook PRO getting the Skylake processor.

 

[manu chao]

It's possible that the 14" model is branded as a MacBook Pro and is introduced at WWDC. The Pro would be more likely to have Thunderbolt 3. I doubt the MacBook will ever get a 2nd port, but it might get Thunderbolt 3 with Kaby Lake since it will be built into the CPU and not require a separate chipset.

Yup, Apple will reduce its laptop line to two models only: a 12" and a 14" MB. Not.

Apple had at least four different laptop models (different form factors) continuously since 2003 except for the year 2007 (not counting any models that were no longer updated but still sold). They are not going to reduce that down to two models only anytime soon.

 

[Narcaz]

The HP weighs 30% more, has a lower resolution screen, and has 2TB-3 and 1 USB 3.1 port.
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Apparently it still requires a special chipset to support Thunderbolt 3.

It's is not like Apple didn't know about Intels roadmap when they designed the MB chassis. I guess the next revision with Kabylake will solve this problem. But i also think this sends out a weird message, because the competition starts to embrace TB 3. And i seriously wonder about the complete ignorance towards higher resolution displays/tvs, which are gaining traction and which are ironically supported by "outdated" MBAs.

 

[KPOM]

up to 25% faster! Hold your horses Apple!

I jest, I know development is slowing down on the X86 side - but this is what was happening with PPC back in the day.

Intel's focus has been on power management and graphics since 2011. CPU speeds don't increase in leaps and bounds anymore. We are also nearing the end of the road for massive improvements with silicon. 7nm is about as small as it can get (these chips are at 14nm).

 

[vfr800]

That's what the 19% tax is for, but the 90€ difference between 1360€ and 1450€ is going straight into Apple's pocket.

Don't forget it's not just Vat, there's Duty too.

 

[KPOM]

It's is not like Apple didn't know about Intels roadmap when they designed the MB chassis. I guess the next revision with Kabylake will solve this problem. But i also think this sends out a weird message, because the competition starts to embrace TB 3. And i seriously wonder about the complete ignorance towards higher resolution displays/tvs, which are gaining traction and which are ironically supported by "outdated" MBAs.

What's interesting is that Apple was first out with Thunderbolt 1 and 2, but seems to be taking a wait and see approach with Thunderbolt 3. That said, the MacBook Pro audience is more likely to want Thunderbolt 3 accessories and external displays.

 

[colourfastt]

Still just a single USB-C(rippled) port and no Thunderbolt over USB-C?!
Completely retarded. Apple is getting out of control with all this product crippling and fragmentation.

The same as the original Air .. a single USB port. Not everyone needs, or wants, cables running this way and that from the laptop.

 

[coolX]

Good.. how about updating the Mac Mini and Mac Pro now?

neva gonna happen, dude.

 

[PatriotInvasion]

Even worse, the HD 515 GPU in the Skylake Core M processors can actually drive a 4K display at 60Hz via DisplayPort.

I believe this is true in machines that have fans whereas the MacBook is a fanless enclosure.

 

[Col4bin]

So where's the new MacBook Pros? Fall most likely.

 

[coolX]

Just ordered my upgrade in Space Grey.

you're ******* crazy, dude. what kinda car you drive?

 

[sarge]

Welcome to last year.

But seriously, no. It helps to think things through a little. As it turns out, the MacBook needs to weigh a certain amount for MagSafe's primary purpose to apply. Once you get down to 2 lbs or less, it is not as effective at preventing a yank. So you can see why it was an easy decision to move on from MagSafe.

Welcome to the 1970's - what about Velcro? I'm kidding of course. But seriously, you encounter a design obstacle and throw up your hands? I guess it's too early for the synthetic carbon nanotube geko satae connection.

 

[coolX]

So where's the new MacBook Pros? Fall most likely.

You be trippin', dude.
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Boom!

save your money for the NX, dude.

 

[smacrumon]

Why don't the MacBooks have white keys with backlighting? Why have they always been black and not similar to the other keyboards in the Apple range?

 

[coolX]

Phase 1 of new rMBP's being revealed at WWDC is complete.

What I find interesting is that not only Air is still around, but got a bump to 8 GB (13") for free. So essentially Apple dropped their prices. It's the second time this year, apocalypse must be near!

Wrong, dude. Apple just trying to avoid updating their products in a meaningful way.

 

[recoil80]

Now that's a complaint I can understand. Getting rid of MagSafe is really bizarre. I can't say how many times that little innovation has saved my MBP from being ripped off the desk. I really hope they aren't stupid enough to remove it from the rMBP...
Though, to be fair, I bet this is, once again, a case where the user they have in mind will basically never use it plugged in, and definitely won't want to take a power adapter with them. They'll charge it at home, over night, and can easily get through the day without recharging.

The main reason why there is no magsafe is that the single USB-C port is carrying data as well as power.
Magsafe is great, but it is quite easy to get the cable disconnected. That is absolutely ok with a power cord since the Mac has a battery and doesn't power off immediately, but what about a device connected to the Mac via USB-C?
Magsafe would mean you could disconnect an external hard disk by mistake and lose your data. It is quite dangerous and that's the main reason they didn't support Magsafe on the new port.
I'd like to see a 14'' Macbook with a port dedicated to power with Magsafe and another port for data, but I'm afraid they'll stick with USB-C even with two ports, so no more magsafe unless they can find a way to let you disconnect peripherals in a safe way

 

[JackANSI]

Wow a Mac with an up to date processor... Didn't think I'd ever see that..