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

[Mr Fusion]

I still maintain that the 3.5mm Jack will be replaced by Lightning if Apple removes it from the iPhone...

You hit the nail on the head right there.

Right now, it's a "secret" whether or not they'll remove the headphone jack on the iPhone. So they CAN'T DO IT NOW on any other device or it'll give the secret away. Once the (apparently lackluster) iPhone 6S-S is released in the Fall, all other products can fall in line with the headphone jack removal with their next refresh cycle. So this time next year, for NO OTHER REASON than the nonsense I just stated above, MacBook will magically gain a second USB-C where the headphone jack once was.

Meanwhile, the VGA FaceTime Camera continues to represent Apple giving its middle finger directly in your line of sight every time you use their product. A sort of, "Thanks for paying next years prices for last millennias technology dips***."

 

[Peter Abs]

Been waiting patiently for the MacBook update, lot of hate for it seemingly but it's exactly what I'm looking for. Just ordered a Space Gray 512GB 1.3 GHZ model and CAN NOT wait to get it

 

[izzyfanto]

You nailed it with the bold words. Either hard earned (sometimes not popular on this forum) or easily (something a lot of people find normal or like to show off) price tag is the border on which the arguments are travelling on

Yeah. I'm a full time student, single income, wife and three children. Spending money has to be very well thought out.

 

[zhenya]

Common sense tells us that in order to extend the battery life we have to minimize the battery cycles, period! To accomplish that we either have to store the battery and not use it, which is not all that practical, or keep the battery in a fully charged state by using the device plugged in to the charger.

Lithium batteries have a limited life span, which is expressed in charge cycles. About 1000 charge cycles is typical for the current Li-Ion batteries' life span. A charge cycle is defined as a complete discharge and recharge. So discharging to 50% and recharging from there twice is counted as one cycle count for example.

I will leave it up to you to decide how to maximize the lifespan of your battery. Either you can keep your Mac plugged in all the time and minimize the cycle count, or charge it, use it until it is depleted and plug it in to charge it again every day. If you chose the second alternative, you will reach your 1000 cycle in about a 1000 days, which is about 3 years. Or you can keep your Mac plugged in all the time and discharge the battery as infrequently as possible like I do and use about 180 charge cycles like I did in 4 years.

Keeping the battery at or near 100% all the time is much worse for it than discharging a bit and then topping off temporarily. The worst states for a battery to be in are 1) deep discharge and 2) fully charged. Hybrid vehicles like the Prius are able to make their batteries last through tens or hundreds of thousands of charge cycles by avoiding those two states. Apple has better battery management than most laptops, so you don't have to worry about it much, but the 1000 cycles is a guide, not an absolute. I would choose some cycling over a constantly charged state every time.

 

[JohnnyGo]

I think you nailed it, at least for me. It's hard to bite the bullet on a price point that gets vastly better performance in MBA & MBP, yet the rMB is the one I would prefer due to size and weight. Essentially, if Apple had made the MBA with Retina I wouldn't even hesitate! rMBA is what I think most people who are complaining actually want to spend their hard earned dollars on.

+1

IMHO Apple is pursuing its upgrade strategy as it perceives the market will shift to, not where it is today (skating to where the puck will be).

So they decided to start EOL our beloved MBA (mine is a 2013 model), release a new MacBook format (even lighter and, in the future, as powerful) and slim down the MBP to give as much power as possible on a small frame (but not ultraportable). Next year, people will have more clarity of this strategy.

Still, I don't get most complainers saying this a MEH upgrade. When was the last time any Apple laptop got a 25% cpu boost and a much better storage subsystem and got a MEH ? I don't like the 480p camera, but the screen is much thinner than the iPad/iPhone width... So no, the camera subsystem doesn't fit. And hell would breakout here if Apple had another "bump" camera.

 

[bingeciren]

I think it is because many MBP users like using their laptop as a desktop as well, and that configuration requires multiple ports.

I think the MacBook is a great laptop. And I have a desktop to handle any unique scenarios the MacBook cannot.

Let me put it this way; I use my 11" Air as my main computer. So, when I come to work, I plug my Air to the 27" TB Cinema Display using two connections: Power and USB. The Cinema Display is already connected to the external devices like my printer, scanner, 3 USB external disks for media storage for backup and archive, Gigabyte Ethernet connection for the corporate network and an optical drive for backwards compatibility. To augment this setup, I use the Apple BT keyboard and the Magic Trackpad. My Air in its clam-shell mode acts as a desktop in this configuration.

When the work day is over, or if I have to go on a travel, or if I have to go to make a presentation, I unplug my Air and go wherever I have to go and do what I have to do with everything with me all the time.

I expect the 12" rMB at least to be able to connect to an external display and its attached peripherals the same way. A single USB-C port to accomplish all this is well within the possibility but so far no such connectivity for an Apple display exist.

Until the 12" rMB becomes capable of connecting to the existing TB Cinema Display or Apple comes up with a rMB compatible display, I'll stick to my 1" Air.

 

[zhenya]

Let me put it this way; I use my 11" Air as my main computer. So, when I come to work, I plug my Air to the 27" TB Cinema Display using two connections: Power and USB. The Cinema Display is already connected to the external devices like my printer, scanner, 3 USB external disks for media storage for backup and archive, Gigabyte Ethernet connection for the corporate network and an optical drive for backwards compatibility. To augment this setup, I use the Apple BT keyboard and the Magic Trackpad. My Air in its clam-shell mode acts as a desktop in this configuration.

When the work day is over, or if I have to go on a travel, or if I have to go to make a presentation, I unplug my Air and go wherever I have to go and do what I have to do with everything with me all the time.

I expect the 12" rMB at least to be able to connect to an external display and its attached peripherals the same way. A single USB-C port to accomplish all this is well within the possibility but so far no such connectivity for an Apple display exist.

Until the 12" rMB becomes capable of connecting to the existing TB Cinema Display or Apple comes up with a rMB compatible display, I'll stick to my 1" Air.

Such connectivity for the vast majority of displays has been available since day 1 of the original MacBook. And it doesn't require the purchase of an exceptionally expensive display with non-standard connections.

 

[bingeciren]

Keeping the battery at or near 100% all the time is much worse for it than discharging a bit and then topping off temporarily. The worst states for a battery to be in are 1) deep discharge and 2) fully charged. Hybrid vehicles like the Prius are able to make their batteries last through tens or hundreds of thousands of charge cycles by avoiding those two states. Apple has better battery management than most laptops, so you don't have to worry about it much, but the 1000 cycles is a guide, not an absolute. I would choose some cycling over a constantly charged state every time.

No matter how much you try to keep it connected as much as possible, there will be some inevitable disconnected usage, which will qualify for the "some cycling over a constantly charged stage" as you have described. Hence the 180 some odd cycles that I have racked up on my Air over the past 4 years.
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Such connectivity for the vast majority of displays has been available since day 1 of the original MacBook. And it doesn't require the purchase of an exceptionally expensive display with non-standard connections.

Unfortunately, it doesn't exist for the 12" rMB yet.

 

[zhenya]

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Unfortunately, it doesn't exist for the 12" rMB yet.

Of course it does. For virtually every display except for the Apple Thunderbolt display. I've been using this as a single-point docking station for most of a year now. http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MJ1K2AM/A/usb-c-digital-av-multiport-adapter

 

[bingeciren]

Of course it does. For virtually every display except for the Apple Thunderbolt display. I've been using this as a single-point docking station for most of a year now. http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MJ1K2AM/A/usb-c-digital-av-multiport-adapter

Oh, I see, with an HDMI adapter. But I still prefer to use an Apple display if possible.

 

[SmileyBlast!]

Inventories?

It's clear you know absolutely nothing about modern high-volume manufacturing.

Maybe you are referring to articles like this:
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Apples-secret-sauce-for-success-is-inventory-management_id28558

Apple still has to play the estimate future sales game. They have to estimate the number of components to buy to make their goods.
If they over estimate there is a cost to restock those components with suppliers so they can avoid that by using them in other products even as the price falls on those outdated components.

 

[citysnaps]

Maybe you are referring to articles like this:
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Apples-secret-sauce-for-success-is-inventory-management_id28558

Apple still has to play the estimate future sales game. They have to estimate the number of components to buy to make their goods.
If they over estimate there is a cost to restock those components with suppliers so they can avoid that by using them in other products even as the price falls on those outdated components.

No. Apple's contract manufacturers employ JIT production and inventory management. There are no large/excess volumes of old mediocre parts to deal with, or use for newer products.

 

[b_scott]

So, has Apple just completely given up on the Macbook Pro line? Seems like everything these days is iPad and the thinnest and weakest possible Airs and regular Macbooks.

 

[MisterAndrew]

What a lame update. No TB3 or DDR4.

 

[numlock]

What I think is really telling is that the complainers clearly REALLY want this device, which certainly says something.

They won't consider a MBP, they want THIS machine, just slightly...more...like...the MBP. It's very confusing that they need to redesign one product clearly not meant to be a port laden high end power house, when Apple already offers the machine they want.

no they want a machine with certain features that this machine has and some that it dosent. considering its the latest addition and not a "pro" machine its perfectly reasonable for average users/people to have expectations for this machine as opposed to the forgotten air.

adding 1 or 2 ports certainly wouldnt make it "port laden".

 

[NT1440]

no they want a machine with certain features that this machine has and some that it dosent. considering its the latest addition and not a "pro" machine its perfectly reasonable for average users/people to have expectations for this machine as opposed to the forgotten air.

adding 1 or 2 ports certainly wouldnt make it "port laden".

That's great an all, but this machine is explicitly designed for a wireless paradigm. It's not the machine for those looking to plug in multiple peripherals.

That may upset some people, but lack of ports isn't a design flaw, it was done intentionally.

 

[yasirimam]

Apple today announced that it has released new 12-inch MacBook models with the latest sixth-generation Skylake dual-core Intel Core M processors up to 1.3 GHz, new Intel HD Graphics 515 that deliver up to 25% faster performance, faster PCIe-based flash storage, an additional hour of battery life, and faster 1866 MHz memory.

The ultra-thin notebook has the same all-metal unibody enclosure that remains 13.1 mm thick and weighs just 2 pounds, with a full-sized butterfly mechanism keyboard and Force Touch trackpad. Like the original model, the new 12-inch MacBook is also fanless and has no moving parts or vents.

The notebook continues to have a 12-inch display with a 2,304-by-1,440 resolution at 226 PPI, single USB 3.1 Type-C port, 256GB or 512GB flash storage, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, a 480p FaceTime camera, stereo speakers, dual microphones, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The one-hour improvement to battery life, which is now up to 10 hours, was achieved not only by more efficient Skylake processors, but also due to a larger 41.4-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery. The original 12-inch MacBook has a slightly smaller 39.7-watt-hour battery that lasts up to 9 hours per charge.

The refreshed 12-inch MacBook models are available through Apple's online store starting today, and at Apple retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers starting tomorrow. The base 1.1GHz Core m3 model costs $1,299, while the faster 1.2GHz Core m5 model costs $1,599. The 1.3GHz Core m7 is a $250 upgrade.

In addition to Rose Gold, the 12-inch MacBook remains available in existing Gold, Silver, and Space Gray colors.

Apple has also made 8GB of memory standard across all 13-inch MacBook Air configurations.

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

I have used this new MAC book its marvellous. its compact size and colour is outstanding.!

 

[TurboPGT!]

So would it not be possible to have a weaker magnet in a MagSafe connector made for a retina MacBook, so that it separates with less force (because the rMB is lighter)?

Does that sound like a good idea?
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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.

Throw your hands up? That's how you interpret it?

No, it went something like this: "If we get rid of Magsafe, which we've demonstrated is less useful on this small machine, we can go with 1 port, USB-C. If we keep Magsafe, we need at least 2 ports, which changes the entire design of this product, not to mention spirit. That other port would still be USB-C and we'd be missing an opportunity to use it for power. To me that just makes it a more magical, appreciable product. Its 1-port-to-rule-them-all....not 1 port plus power too even though we didn't need it..to rule them all."

 

[numlock]

That's great an all, but this machine is explicitly designed for a wireless paradigm. It's not the machine for those looking to plug in multiple peripherals.

That may upset some people, but lack of ports isn't a design flaw, it was done intentionally.

you know if it was truly designed for the "wireless world" (btw that is just a gimmicky phrase) then it wouldnt have a port at all or at most it could only be used for charging. do you honestly think that playing musical chairs with its only port adds more than a 2nd port would subtract and if so how?

obviously it was done intentionally but if people want to talk about it they should feel free to do that.

 

[NT1440]

you know if it was truly designed for the "wireless world" (btw that is just a gimmicky phrase) then it wouldnt have a port at all or at most it could only be used for charging. do you honestly think that playing musical chairs with its only port adds more than a 2nd port would subtract and if so how?

obviously it was done intentionally but if people want to talk about it they should feel free to do that.

So you're complaining that they added USB functionality to what otherwise, in the hypothetical you lay out, should have just been a power connection?

Btw, the internals of that machine are taking up every square inch, unless you want them to cut down on battery life (which would result in the end of the ****ing world on these forums) I'd suggest the onus is on you to engineer around the size constraints.

 

[numlock]

So you're complaining that they added USB functionality to what otherwise, in the hypothetical you lay out, should have just been a power connection?

Btw, the internals of that machine are taking up every square inch, unless you want them to cut down on battery life (which would result in the end of the ****ing world on these forums) I'd suggest the onus is on you to engineer around the size constraints.

im not complaining at all. im saying if it was for the "wireless world" it wouldnt have a port. surely that is what this meaningless phrase is supposed to mean.

obviously if you do everything the same then the result would be same. i dont get paid to design apple products nor to voice over for them but i do hold apple and its staff in high regard capability wise.

but to add it isnt just this machine its pent up frustration due to the mba being left behind and people holding hope that something else would replace it. apple however releases a machine that is similarly priced as the mbp but completely on the other end of the spectrum feature wise.

 

[izzyfanto]

but to add it isnt just this machine its pent up frustration due to the mba being left behind and people holding hope that something else would replace it. apple however releases a machine that is similarly priced as the mbp but completely on the other end of the spectrum feature wise.

This summarizes how I feel. The base rMB & MBP both cost $1300. Essentially Apple is saying the cost of performance in the MBP is worth the same amount of $ as form factor in the rMB...

 

[Nunyabinez]

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.

While that may or may not be a better analogy, I'll use it and tell you that I only need one bit for my screwdriver and resent people trying to make mine heavier, when a heavier one already exists that has plenty of bits.

I'm hoping that the new MBPs make people with your needs happy (I mean that with complete sincerity). I hope that they are close to MBA size and weight with MBP power. Then we can leave each other's machines alone ;-)

 

[Mac 128]

adding 1 or 2 ports certainly wouldnt make it "port laden".

Where would you put them in the current design? There's literally no room for them. Would you have delivered the rMB without a 3.5mm headphone jack, and put a second USB-C port there instead? And then where would you put the other port or two?

The problem is, in order to make room for even the profile of the additional port opening, they would have to redesign the notebook so it as larger. And removing the 3.5mm jack at this point was not an option for their target audience.

I'm all for as many ports as possible, but the trick is to do it without making the rMB larger or heavier, or less marketably functional.

 

[Dozer_Zaibatsu]

I'm still cool with my 13-inch MacBook Air (base mid-2012 model), but if I had to pick between this MacBook and a similar offering by ASUS, I'd definitely go with the latter. The $600 price difference is pretty large. Dismissing the operating system and build quality differences, the ASUS has a higher-res display (a touchscreen at that) while the MacBook has a faster SSD (that most people won't notice). They both look pretty.

OH YEAH! The ASUS has a ton of ports while still staying very thin and light. Come on, Apple...

I agree. I do like the form of the MacBook as a good portable, but you can't justify that there's "nothing" out there like it. You can get an Asus Zenbook with the same CoreM gen chip with QHD for $699 on Microsoft's site. I mean, MacOS is a very good OS, and Windows 10 is kind of unfinished, but the differences are tomato, tomahto to me who is a technical nit-picker about everything in an OS.

I was chastising people that the "Apple Tax" was a thing of the past, as similarly specc'd PCs to, say, MacBookPro Retina 13" circa 2014, were roughly the same price. With the modern MacBook, the Apple Tax is real, and it is fabulous!
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Where would you put them in the current design? There's literally no room for them. Would you have delivered the rMB without a 3.5mm headphone jack, and put a second USB-C port there instead? And then where would you put the other port or two?

The problem is, in order to make room for even the profile of the additional port opening, they would have to redesign the notebook so it as larger. And removing the 3.5mm jack at this point was not an option for their target audience.

I'm all for as many ports as possible, but the trick is to do it without making the rMB larger or heavier, or less marketably functional.

Considering the cost of the new MacBooks starts at $1299 in USD, which is $600 more than a similarly equipped Zenbook with a better screen, Apple could easily include a PowerBrick that has -- dunno -- maybe two old fashioned USB ports and a Mini Display Port built in, just for hellavit? Dell did that with a few models.