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

[kyykesko]

My guess for this year:

MacBook Air will be phased out
MacBook will come in two sizes: 12" and 14"
MacBook Pro will be replaced with new sizes: 14" and 16"

That would suck so much. Either you pick Pro or you're stuck with a totally useless keyboard. In Pro models you all of a sudden can't find a single bag that actually fits your computer, instead you always have to opt for one that's too big and get to enjoy your laptop flopping around. Yes, please, let's do 16"? Let's just add the rMB keyboard to to that and reduce the battery life to half of what it is now and we have a perfect machine. Oh, oh! And let's remove unnecessary ports so we'll get even more Pro computer?

 

[tampageek]

I don't expect to see the rMB ever get more ports. A also don't think the MB Air will ever get a retina display. If it did, it would kill battery life and drive the price up. The MBA is a perfect entry level laptop that is affordable.

 

[t.portis]

You lost me at rMB for giving a presentation.

Do you even dongle bro?

A lot of our 315 meeting rooms and classrooms are still old VGA connections (though we're slowly moving to HDMI). So carrying the right connector is a fact of life. It fits in my pocket, so no big deal.

 

[zoneee]

Ok just to make it clear for everyone:

the rMP with more usb ports is NOT the rMBP

The PRO is meant for professionals, not for everyone who needs a laptop with a decent screen and some ports

Apple is selling for a premium price a laptop without basic features, leaving everyone who needs basic ports with no option to buy a PRO (in fancy colors), which should be meant for professionals (who dont care of how tiny it is, they care it does everything they need it to)

Please stop justifying anything apple does because it's not the pro

 

[MyopicPaideia]

In order to get TB3 and USB 3.1, Gen 2, they would have needed to add an Alpine Ridge controller onto the board. This controller is far to big to fit onto the logic board of the MacBook...and apparently it's power hungry too!

There is no room for a 2nd USB port. Take a look at the iFixit teardown. It is cramped on the inside and the keyboard is in the way.

The 14" was just a wish people had. There was never any credible rumors or reasons to think that one would actually be released.

Ha ha ha, yes, I know! I argue these very points in several threads in the Macbook forums, I'm one of the rMB's champions! I love it! It is an exellent machine and my primary professional laptop. Isn't the Alpine Ridge controller basically the same size or larger than the rMB's whole logic board?

Anyway, my point is it is an underwhelming update. It got a new color and bumped CPU/GPU that won't even be noticed by those using it for what it is good at. Those that want it to be an rMBP are still going to complain. Still a 480p camera as well, not that I care as I never use it on the rMB, but when my 9.7" iPad Pro has an 8MP front camera, you gotta wonder.

No skin off my back, I can and will continue to love my rMB for at least another year - actually kind of selfishly happy about it, as it validates my early adoption purchase to myself

 

[unobtainium]

I shrugged so hard I dislocated my shoulders.

This thing is a pile of hot garbage. It could be cool if it had a couple more ports and a lower price point, but it's pretty much unusable for me, and frankly a bad value (even by Apple standards). I'm surprised they didn't lower the price.
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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?

Yes, I honestly thought they would add a second port and lower the price slightly. It was way overpriced to begin with, but I chalked that up to the 'new factor'. Now that it's a year later, I'm surprised at the poor value (even by Apple standards) and the fact that they couldn't even add one more measly USB-C port.

 

[meboy]

still 22 pages with over 500 posts about a product so bad...and so weak and so hated..but wait?!??! 22 pages and over 500 posts...something is wrong.. .

Massive amount of people that have been waiting for the Macbook Air refresh. Also the MBP refresh.
This is what we get.. BS.
Lot's of disappointed people about.

 

[R3k]

Apple invested in Trashcan Mac Pro and look how well it is doing almost three years later.

It's not?

 

[dannys1]

Of course there is no room for dedicated graphics. I was wondering why they chose HD515 instead of 520 or 530.

Because once again they're not compatible with the Core-M Skylake processors the MacBook uses - so thats all three of your questions asked. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Core_M_microprocessors

The only legit question is why the front facing camera is so low res - though personally I wouldn't care if it wasn't there, I never use them on any of my Macs.

 

[navaira]

It's not?

I always forget the /s bit, sorry.

 

[Rogifan]

Do you have any examples of this? I don't recall Apple making any big changes on 2nd gen laptops, especially the Air (which seems to be the existing model that has the most direct comparisons to the new retina MacBook). I don't remember every 2nd gen laptop model, though.

Air had three spec bumps before it was redesigned.

 

[Soccertess]

wow! Still one port? I wouldn't touch this thing with a ten foot pole! Macbook airs are much better value, except they have 2011 screens still.

If they brought in wireless charging, than the one port makes more sense.

But i'm surprised that time didn't have a event for the new rose gold edition, the greatest innovation of Apple under Tim's leadership (or lack of!).

 

[R3k]

The bitching on these forums is getting out of control.

 

[dannys1]

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

The Skylake Core-M only supports 515 graphics and DDR3 Ram. Of course it has a single port, thats all it needs, its a wireless machine. Your only genuinely complaint is the 480p camera, which is poor - but to be honest id be happy to have no cameras on my Macs as I've never used them, but I know thats just me personally, so it should be 720p at least for the others.

 

[MacRazySwe]

I don't think there has ever been an Apple device with so many split opinions. Some people absolutely love it, while others hate it beyond comparison.

Personally I like the MacBook, the value proposition just isn't enough for me at its current price. At $999 it would have been a great ultra-light companion to my 27" iMac, but it actually costs nearly $1500 over here, which is crazy for what it is.

 

[R3k]

These things are still way too expensive for what they are. It's not value for money.

Since when has apple been about value for money?

 

[Glideslope]

Apple is just to bullheaded to add one more type c port but at least they admit you need 8GB Ram.

Nah, the 8GB is getting you ready for iOS 10.0

 

[KPOM]

When is a redesign?

When is the macbook air getting a refresh? I may be in the market for one and am waiting for that to be updated.

No one knows but Apple. Chances are that the MacBook Air isn't getting refreshed. But most people expect either an expanded MacBook (maybe 14") or a redesigned MacBook Pro in June in time for the WWDC.

 

[Glideslope]

No one knows but Apple. Chances are that the MacBook Air isn't getting refreshed. But most people expect either an expanded MacBook (maybe 14") or a redesigned MacBook Pro in June in time for the WWDC.

IMO, there is a very good chance the Air will fade into oblivion. I agree with a new MBP at WWDC.

 

[satchmo]

But i'm surprised that time didn't have a event for the new rose gold edition, the greatest innovation of Apple under Tim's leadership (or lack of!).

I can hear him just saying how "gorgeous " the rose gold is.

Apple has gone from computer company to consumer electronics to becoming a fashion brand.

 

[SSDGUY]

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

Agreed. Customers like us don't matter anymore. Boo-hoo!

 

[BeatCrazy]

>Dual display and video mirroring: simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 3840 by 2160 pixels at 30Hz on an external display, both at millions of colors

Is it year 2014 again? still can't plug my 4k@60hz display into it, nice job intel

Is there no way to get DP 1.2 out of the USB 3 output of the MB? That Intel HD 515 should support 3840x2160 @ 60hz if you covert DP to HDMI 2.0.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

I love powerful Macs. I have a Mac Pro, 2 Retina iMacs and a powerful gaming rig. I also have the rMB and LOVE it.

People complain about the one port, but my kids gave me a USB hub for Christmas. I still haven't plugged it in. I also have the media adapter. Same thing.

I use this for meetings, for working on stuff while I am in bed. It is a fantastic machine for traveling and such.

I don't know why people can't select the right tool for a job. It's like everyone here complaining that their screwdriver is not a hammer. If you need a hammer, buy a hammer. Don't criticize a screwdriver for not being a hammer. Some of us just want a screwdriver.

The rMB is almost perfect for me, the biggest thing being the retina display. The second being the size and weight. Please Apple, don't listen to the people who want you to make this into some multi-tool. It is just fine as it is.

Not quite the right analogy. The entire Macbook line are the same tool. It's whether you want a small, portable tool or a big, electric tool that is more powerful. In the case of a screwdriver, all the tools will undo a screw. It's about how you want to carry one. I don't want to carry around a big, heavy electric impact screwdriver gun (Retina Macbook PRO), but I don't want a small screwdriver with a single bit, either (Retina 12" Macbook).

People want the lightweightness (is that a word?) of the 12" rMB but with MORE PORTS. A single bit (port) tool is practically useless.
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So if USB-C was "born dead," why are people on the iPhone and iPad forums complaining that Apple should replace Lightning with USB-C since Samsung and the other big Android makers are using it?

USB-C will be ubiquitous. It offers faster charging, faster speeds (with new generations), and is reversible. Any notebook as thin or thinner than the MacBook will be USB-C only.

Uh...because with a USB-C port the iPhone and iPad would FINALLY get a universal port that you can actually DO SOMETHING WITH other than charge? Not because Android users have it...

 

[KPOM]

Uh...because with a USB-C port the iPhone and iPad would FINALLY get a universal port that you can actually DO SOMETHING WITH other than charge? Not because Android users have it...

You can "do things" with the USB Camera Adapter, including hook up to an Ethernet port (though the idea of connecting an iPad to Ethernet seems weird to me). My guess is that Apple will keep Lightning, particularly since they have shown with the 12.9" iPad Pro that it's possible to add faster charging and USB 3.0 support to it. Keeping Lightning helps them control the user experience and reduces the likelihood that an errant USB device will damage an iPad or iPhone.

 

[izzyfanto]

As a long-term Apple fan I have gone through the various well-known stages...
1) I initially said I wasn't a fan of Apple (because I couldn't afford their products).
2) Once I could afford them, I defended my purchases and Apple's design choices (often irrationally).
3) I went through several years of expecting the 'next' product announcement to be the one that reveals something as groundbreaking as the original iMac/iPod/iPhone etc.

...I have now progressed to the final stage...

4) I still love the design/idea of Apple products, but have become used to being continually disappointed.

EDIT: I take it back, just me venting ;-)

 

[KPOM]

I think I'm starting to feel myself wanting to defect to anything but Apple. It's like this is the inevitable reaction now that Apple is indeed a fashion accessory company. They're overpriced, underspeced, behind in current standards, and I'm starting to feel nauseated by the price gouging and fluffy language at events. Like when Ive described the iPhone 5C as "unapologetically plastic". What does that even mean?? It feels like that high school friend who said his Civic with a glass pack and rims beat the Corvette.

Maybe I'm seeing the light, or maybe I'm expecting too much. Even way, I'm frustrated.

What was it you were expecting? Apple has never made a major redesign to a notebook after one year. They have always been spec updates. This has the fastest RAM that Skylake-M supports, adds a faster SSD controller, and a typical Intel processor boost. Apple MIGHT have been able to squeeze a Thunderbolt 3 controller in there (at the cost of some of the boost in battery life), but there never was going to be a second USB port in this year's model (and probably never will be, as Apple is more likely to add wireless charging than a second USB port at some point in the future).