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

[h00ligan]

Well for me I need to evaluate the iPad Pro vs a MacBook. I use the pro a lot with a keyboard or Ina. Stand. MacBook doesn't have access to a pencil or the app selection but can run real photography software. I'm curious how Lightroom runs on this with the new gfx chip and how the new MacBook compares to surface pro 3 I already own.

I have a week to decide or less so I guess it's time to make a pros and cons list. If this was a new 13" pro it would be an easy decision. Especially given the $1599 price won't be far off from the new pro machine.

Anyway I'm one of the people that could do with both machines but can't buy both. I really need a MacBook Pro but I can't justify the price for something I'd use so little. No space for an iMac though I'd love to use it with astropad.

The entry price point, really I feel like 1299-1399 should be the 512 model - I feel the computer is overpriced even for an apple/. I wish that they released things in a more convenient fashion. I guess I just need to get on the Mac release timeline.

How are the speakers on the MacBook? Anyone here use the old one for field photography?

The price - it's just hard to get over when you can get much more machine in a similar form factor running Windows, but paying to use OS X MAKES sense I guess, the apple tax is just a way to make money off the OS, because Mac users don't want to change back to Windows... I tried it, as a lifelong technologist and I hate it. I'm waiting to see if Microsoft is replacing my fifth defective surface pro 3 with a surface pro 4

 

[KPOM]

Yeah true, but it seems like the XPS 13 is comparable to a hypothetical rMBA. And mid tier it's only $1k.

I guess it's confusing to me why people on all across the tech forums defend the one port with the argument that there's not enough room. I genuinely don't understand.

Also, if they lowered the price, it'd make it a lot more appealing to people.

Perhaps, but if Apple has a significant update to the rMBP coming, then it doesn't make sense to update the Air. The 1 port is a conscious design decision. Apple is pushing wireless, not lots of physical connections. As for the price, the MacBook is currently positioned as a premium device rather than a mainstream seller. That might not always be the case. The MacBook Air started out as a premium device but then was moved to the mainstream a few years later.

 

[izzyfanto]

It's not like they can realistically add a retina display without impacting both the battery life and weight of the Air, right?

Think that's going to go over well for the people whose primary love of the Air is both the weight and battery life?

They essentially needed a new line for this, which is what they did with the retina MacBooks.

Now if they'd just come out with the 13" or 14" retina MacBook model with the extra ports and a non-M processor, I think some folks in this thread might actually be happy for a minute or two.

Still a chance for that to happen at WWDC?

As for less $$$, I wouldn't count on that. Apple's never been as cheap as the competition. I wouldn't expect that to change any time soon.

Yeah that makes sense
[doublepost=1461103329][/doublepost]

The entry price point, really I feel like 1299-1399 should be the 512 model - I feel the computer is overpriced even for an apple/. I wish that they released things in a more convenient fashion....The price - it's just hard to get over when you can get much more machine in a similar form factor running Windows, but paying to use OS X MAKES sense I guess, the apple tax is just a way to make money off the OS, because Mac users don't want to change back to Windows... I tried it, as a lifelong technologist and I hate it. I'm waiting to see if Microsoft is replacing my fifth defective surface pro 3 with a surface pro 4

Same here I cannot fathom realistically going back to Windows.

 

[toke lahti]

It's a limit of the standard chipset that's built into the Skylake chip. You can add better capabilities with a separate chipset but that would require a change to the logic board design.

What is the separate chipset in Airs, since even the last year's model supports 4k@60Hz?

 

[izzyfanto]

Perhaps, but if Apple has a significant update to the rMBP coming, then it doesn't make sense to update the Air. The 1 port is a conscious design decision. Apple is pushing wireless, not lots of physical connections. As for the price, the MacBook is currently positioned as a premium device rather than a mainstream seller. That might not always be the case. The MacBook Air started out as a premium device but then was moved to the mainstream a few years later.

Good points

 

[h00ligan]

Yeah that makes sense
[doublepost=1461103329][/doublepost]
Same here I cannot fathom realistically going back to Windows.

Windows 10 made things a fair bit better, but a couple big things just don't work well, like backup

And As for the dual purpose machines like the surface, they aren't great laptops and they're pretty poor tablets. They did get the pen right in terms of storage and function more than apple. Like clicking the end to rapidly open a new note even from a locked screen. Apple really need to add a fast note function and given they foolishly left all buttons off the pencil it will have to be a swipe up thing.

Anyway, while Windows has improved it's still not great. Though it's usable now - compared to Windows 8 which was a disaster/

The issue though is after tax you're at almost two grand for a mac book../ and really is it going to be any faster than an iPad Pro/ and web surfing etc going to be much difference? I really need to talk to a photographer who owned a MacBook and either loved or hated it

 

[R3k]

Now if they'd just come out with the 13" or 14" retina MacBook model with the extra ports and a non-M processor, I think some folks in this thread might actually be happy for a minute or two.

Apple have it covered, you are describing a redesigned Macbook Pro.

 

[izzyfanto]

Anyway, while Windows has improved it's still not great. Though it's usable now - compared to Windows 8 which was a disaster/

Yep Windows 7 was good, but then 8 was when I switched to OS X/Apple and didn't look back. 8 was horrible!

 

[KPOM]

What is the separate chipset in Airs, since even the last year's model supports 4k@60Hz?

In Skylake it's called Alpine Ridge. It's a separate chip on the motherboard. The MacBook has an ultra-minimalist logic board that has only what is absolutely necessary to drive the display, SSD, and offer USB 3.1-compliant services. That supports 4K@30Hz only.
[doublepost=1461104171][/doublepost]

The price - it's just hard to get over when you can get much more machine in a similar form factor running Windows, but paying to use OS X MAKES sense I guess, the apple tax is just a way to make money off the OS, because Mac users don't want to change back to Windows... I tried it, as a lifelong technologist and I hate it. I'm waiting to see if Microsoft is replacing my fifth defective surface pro 3 with a surface pro 4

My guess is that we don't see a major price drop until the MacBook Air is discontinued (or relegated to education). Then we may see $999 for the 12" 256GB model and $1299 for the 512GB model, with maybe an older model (or perhaps a carryover Air) at $899. They seem to be following the playbook from the original MacBook Air (though that model was priced even higher at first, and so saw some modest price drops along the way).

 

[h00ligan]

Apple have it covered, you are describing a redesigned Macbook Pro.

Yah and that's the kicker, the new 13" with those specs which will blast past the MacBook can't possibly start at more than 1599, so why would anyone buy the MacBook once the new pro comes out - to be fabless or save four ounces?

One last thing - I wish the app developers would start making "apps" for OS X - like TiVo for example, their web streaming stuff is terrible, any video streaming has to be via web browser - where it would be great to have some app capabilities on the actual laptops,

If that was possible I'd be happy to switch to a laptop only - but one thing is after using iOS devices going back to a computer, you're like- wow, I have to watch this using flash and get plugins an watch my battery die in two hours!
[doublepost=1461104801][/doublepost]

In Skylake it's called Alpine Ridge. It's a separate chip on the motherboard. The MacBook has an ultra-minimalist logic board that has only what is absolutely necessary to drive the display, SSD, and offer USB 3.1-compliant services. That supports 4K@30Hz only.
[doublepost=1461104171][/doublepost]

My guess is that we don't see a major price drop until the MacBook Air is discontinued (or relegated to education). Then we may see $999 for the 12" 256GB model and $1299 for the 512GB model, with maybe an older model (or perhaps a carryover Air) at $899. They seem to be following the playbook from the original MacBook Air (though that model was priced even higher at first, and so saw some modest price drops along the way).

That does seem likely. I can't see a sustained model at these prices. My first reaction to the news of the new MacBook was - great, I'll return the iPad Pro and keyboard and get one, but now I'm not so sure. I just don't think it's going to give me what I need. And I won't pay 3 grand for a pro machine that is barely pro.

The designation for a pro machine to me needs to meet some criteria. Apple dumped most of them, can't upgrade ram or disk,.. So next we need a top level screen, check, and discreet video, that means by my standard Apple make ONE pro laptop and it's about 3 grand after tax, which is about twice what a comparable Windows machine costs.

I just can't justify it. The iMac is faster by a landslide and has more options.

Everything is complicated for me right now being post op, rehabbing, getting ready for more spine surgeries and being off work. I sorely need to stay active in technology and photography, if only so I don't go crazy.. And finds are tight.. I just don't see an option that's truly good for me so I should probably stay out of it. But it's sad that a huge apple fan can't find one product to buy right now from the laptop line, nothing works or it's way overpriced. If Microsoft replace my surface pro 3 with a 4 then I'll just be sticking with that. Though right now that looks extremely unlikely.

To that end I do want to point out that the extortionate pricing does partially come from the support they offer. It's based in the United States or your country of origin, so there's no laungauge barrier. Their replacement and repair is top notch, so they are putting a lot more resources into support than Microsoft are, in terms of per customer. Microsoft support for the surface has shorter hours than any other Microsoft product, is based out of the Philippines, filled with people who have literally no idea of the products they support and they don't do well with shipping or repair. It is without doubt the worst support in the industry.

So it's not that I don't understand the increased cost, with native support, better repair service, more quality product.. I do.. I just still think it's a couple hundred too high. AMaybe i''ll look at the 256 machine and build smart previous, keep everything on the server.. Probably the way to go.

 

[MartiNZ]

Yep Windows 7 was good, but then 8 was when I switched to OS X/Apple and didn't look back. 8 was horrible!

Funny. 8 cemented my switching from OS X, it was just so much more enjoyable to use. 10 has made a lot of poor moves unfortunately, and the practically forced upgrade policy is rubbish.

These machines still look like way too little for way too much coin. There is no comparison to the XPS13, that machine is still the best thing I've seen spec/pricewise for a laptop. I'm more interested in the Dell 2-in-1 options now though, as Windows 8 taught me that touch is essential, and Apple doesn't seem to have got the memo.

 

[toke lahti]

It's probably a space issue. Do you want a camera bump on the MacBook?

Have you noticed how many people keep sticker on the camera? What if it would pop out inside the lid, behind the screen, only when used? Bezels could be razor thin...

 

[JohnnyGo]

It's where the polycarb MacBook was after October 2010. It's being kept around solely because Apple can sell it profitably for $899. Likely in a year or two the MacBook line expands and Apple can sell a $999 version.

+1
MBA may continue to exist but solely as a cheap device, no longer top of line in terms of technology... The old polycarb kept the CD-ROM for those who wanted

 

[Mal67]

Interesting how the rMB and the rMBP both start at pretty much $2000 here in Australia for the base model. Given the choice of these two I would go for the Pro even though the drive would be smaller. At least there is a lower price point with the Airs and yay! the 13" now has 8 gig off the shelf finally.

 

[MikeyMike01]

I expected them to replace Air with the 2015 model. But the main disappointment to me is that there are no signs of that keyboard being changed in any way, which means I'll be holding on to my Air. Yes, it has a terrible screen, I know.

You'd have better luck waiting for a thinner lighter 13" Pro

 

[Col4bin]

You be trippin', dude.

Word up, homeskillet. Peace out.

 

[Ankaa]

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

I hope you're right, but for some reason I doubt there will be MBA updates at WWDC, especially as they increased the standard RAM today. Why would they do this if there's gonna be an update in less then 2 months?

Love the color option, though. And would kill if white made it back into Macs.

 

[d28z28]

I've actually been waiting for this update. Just ordered a space grey for me and a rose gold for my wife. They should be here early next week. Can't wait!

 

[MH01]

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.

The original air comes to mind, from first version you got a substantial improvement in storage, speed and better price . the first gen product was flawed overall and almost unusable.

If you wanted an air, you really needed to update to the second gen, in all honestly probably a bad example as the original air was a lemon on so many accounts , which the second gen corrected

 

[MartiNZ]

Wasn't it also like 2 years between the first and second Air releases?

 

[dan110]

Does anyone else miss the old black or white "plastic" MacBooks?

 

[MartiNZ]

Yeah the black ones were very pretty.

 

[kevinkyoo]

Does anyone else miss the old black or white "plastic" MacBooks?

Nope. The hinges broke too easily, the plastic covers scratched, the white showed horrible yellowing.

 

[simonmet]

My daughter is getting her masters with an 8GB MacBook Air that I bought her for Christmas 2014, running Arc GIS on a Parallels Windows 7 VM just fine.

I believe that most of the people who complain about the MacBook being underpowered are too caught up in specs, and really couldn't tell you what they would do with the computer that might bump it against its limits.

"Just fine" is relative. I'm a spatial analyst professional and that setup would make my head hurt. In fact I cringe just thinking about it, I simply couldn't do it. At the very least she should use Boot Camp and run ArcGIS natively.

But having been in the industry a while I know that there's a big range of users and applications of GIS from the very light to the power. Many people only want to plot a small amount of vector data they've collected (points/lines/polygons) coupled with some boundary data from the internet to make some very simple maps, or do some very simple geoprocessing operations like buffer, union, spatial join or update coupled with some simple reporting. For these uses a MacBook Air or even this rMB would be OK.

Then there are power users that work with very large volumes of data and images (in the gigabytes or even terabytes) and develop sophisticated spatial models for research and development, running analyses that can take hours or even days. In no way can an ultrabook fulfill these needs.

Simply saying you use a professional software and implying it runs fine in all situations or that it means the hardware is a capable professional machine is misleading. It's a bit like saying you use Photoshop when all you ever do is use it to rescale or rotate images. I have a pretty low tolerance for waiting though, especially UI sluggishness.

My mid 2015 rMBP Pro runs ArcGIS (and SPSS or any professional software for that matter) brilliantly and I often have these two packages running and using 100% of CPU and RAM, sometimes for short periods (under a minute) and sometimes for much longer. This MacBook would have a panic attack trying to do complex operations on large volumes of data.

So really just fine is relative. Yes you can get away with it for simple things, but the hardware is a very limiting factor when you need to do more.

It's not a professional laptop though and I think it's good for a lot of things in the light use realm.

 

[MartiNZ]

Nope. The hinges broke too easily, the plastic covers scratched, the white showed horrible yellowing.

Indeed, and the join at the front cracked really easily at least on the white, from what I saw in the wild.