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

[Scarpad]

It's too bad that people who actually prefer MacOS over windows has to be relegated to hardware thats not up to snuff, compare these machines to what Dell and HP are doing with their ultrabooks

 

[netkas]

>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

 

[anthorumor]

The real news story here is that people are still buying MacBook Airs for Apple to bother giving the 13" base model an 8GB RAM standard configuration.

 

[PatriotInvasion]

No Thunderbolt 3, no extra USB-C port, and same $1,299 starting price. Ouch. Not what I expected. Let's see what the MacBook Pros will be like.

My guess is Thunderbolt 3 is overkill for the users this Mac is targeted at, but the starting price point is overkill as well.

 

[MacFather]

Deleted.

 

[zachcsnyder]

Underwhelming all the way around. Still stuck with two compromise devices just like we were yesterday.

My daughter is going to college this fall and wanted a Mac for graduation. I'm sure her eyes will get all shiny over the Rose Gold MacBook. I was dreaming of an updated screen for the MBA...(knew it wasn't going to happen though).

Wait for the new Pro's(!)

 

[zhenya]

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.

The 12" rMB has a potential larger desktop work area than the 13" Air. It's plenty big enough to do lots of work on the go, and when you need more workspace, you connect it to an external monitor at your desk, just like I would ANY other laptop of any size.

 

[jg321]

One of the worst things you could do to your battery (phone, laptop, iPad) is to constantly plug and plug it

[citation needed]

 

[brewmonkey]

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

Maybe it's just me, but I actually don't need anyone seeing my face in HD (which I am sure is considered a valuable public service by all).

 

[Rogifan]

A usable keyboard, useful ports (quantity and type), and more powerful CPU would have been more beautiful.

Seems like you need a MBP.

It's too bad that people who actually prefer MacOS over windows has to be relegated to hardware thats not up to snuff, compare these machines to what Dell and HP are doing with their ultrabooks

Because this is the only laptop Apple sells. Note: MBPs haven't been updated yet.

No surprise the MBA is a better seller than the rMB. Most people don't really care about retina screens, and would rather have 'normal' USB ports, as well as a cheaper overall computer.

I'm going to assume Apple has better data as to what consumers are buying than posters on this forum.

 

[r6mile]

The real news story here is that people are still buying MacBook Airs for Apple to bother giving the 13" base model an 8GB RAM standard configuration.

No surprise the MBA is a better seller than the rMB. Most people don't really care about retina screens, and would rather have 'normal' USB ports, as well as a cheaper overall computer.

 

[Brad9893]

I'm not surprised that there is only one port, but Thunderbolt 3 would have been nice, particularly since it actually seems to be getting traction on the Windows side now.

Yep, it would have been nice, but Apple probably didn't want to put an Alpine Ridge controller on the logic board. Katy Lake integrates TB3 into the CPU though, so the MacBook will probably gain it then.

 

[Blue Sun]

What happens if they added a second USB port and someone plugs in two chargers?

It will explode.

 

[family_guy]

So they just need to update the video to say 2016.

 

[jmgregory1]

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?

It's a changing world where devices, especially in Apple's ecosystem, no longer need to "connect" via wire. Personally, the only two things I ever connect to my 2013 rMBP are a plotter cutter and an SSD external drive (via USB). But in both cases, it's a rare thing that I would be completely ok with having to use an adapter. I get that for some people, there will be a greater need to connect, but there are options from adapters to getting a different MacBook (Air or Pro).

 

[Seifensieder]

No MagSafe no MacBook.

 

[9917282]

Stop winning! Why would Apple release after 1 year only a new model with new keyboard new ports etc after they invested in this design? Do you people use that brain or are you all 12 years old in this forum?

 

[Mal67]

They don't need to update it, Mac Pro is way too powerful machine beyond the Apple standard. The Mac Mini is just a bait for those who are curious about OS X, which eventually ended up buying a more expensive Macs.

We'll see the mini updated, it's a pretty useful little machine. As for the Pro no idea.

 

[Lunfai]

No surprise the MBA is a better seller than the rMB. Most people don't really care about retina screens, and would rather have 'normal' USB ports, as well as a cheaper overall computer.

I wish the colour reproduction on the airs were better tho

 

[Gawjuz]

Whoa, unexpected! This will free up some time to talk about some new stuff at WWDC I hope.

As this is still not the Macbook for me, that was my first thought

 

[Zorn]

If memory serves, with the original Air, they did a spec update on that initial design before the 2010 refresh that ushered in the styling of today and the additional USB port. Probably looking at next year before they do the same here, 2nd USB-C both with Thunderbolt 3/4 capability.

 

[indiekiduk]

Would have liked to get the new MacBook but with no mini display port and no USB-C to mini display port adaptor it's useless to me.

 

[Wreckus]

the MacBooks are not suppose to be the macbook with all the new technology & leading edge specs. That space is reserved for the Macbook Pro's. For those expecting that on a macbook must be drinking the purple kool-aid in their fridge that is 10 years old.

Second, for those who just bought a macbook 1-2 years ago (can't remember when they first re-introduce the macbook), this is not the macbook you need. This macbook is just a simple spec update bump with rose gold colour to entice current windows laptops or looking to buy a laptop to get a macbook. Nothing more, nothing less.

Finally, if you have a macbook pro that is 4 years or older, wait until WWDC. If nothing is announce then, then go ahead an buy a new macbook or a new macbook pro.

 

[Saturn1217]

This is good news! Strongly suggests that whatever is coming for the rest of the macbook line at or around WWDC will be a much bigger deal than just a spec bump. Otherwise why not just update the whole line together with a silent update?

Also not really surprised that no changes were made externally to the 12" rMB. It just came out. Their not going to redesign it so soon. It isn't a bad computer it just shouldn't be Apple's ONLY <3lb option (assuming the Macbook Airs are on their way out). As long as Apple releases a proper successor to the 13" MBA (whether that is a slimmed down 13" MBP or a larger Macbook model) eventually, I have zero issues with 12" rMB. It is a great machine for some people just not for me. Glad to see they updated it regardless.

 

[Brad9893]

A usable keyboard, useful ports (quantity and type), and more powerful CPU would have been more beautiful.

Why would Apple turn the MacBook into the MacBook Pro? They already make other machines with more ports and more powerful CPU's!