Apple's Rumored 12-Inch MacBook Could Be Pro Model With M2 Pro and M2 Max

[ascender]

A lot of people don't understand that ultra-portability is more of a pro feature rather than a budget concession. I'd pay as much as I could to get the best performing ultra-portable MacBook possible. If that meant it only had a base M2, I still consider that a win. Obviously, even in the MacBook Pro lineup, Apple has already conceded that size will limit performance as the 14" MacBook Pro doesn't have the same top-end performance as the 16". I could imagine the 12" still wearing the Pro badge and using a base M2 or even a reduced-core M2 Pro. Either way, my wallet will jump out of my pocket the day it is announced. Even if they called it the "MacBook Mini" and it only had a 3 year-old M1.

I totally get that - I've always bought the smallest Mac laptops possible over the years - Air; PowerBook G4; MacBook. That 12" MacBook has been the only truly ultra-portable Mac in recent years. I'd often choose to run as part of my commute to work and I could put that laptop in my rucksack and not know its there. Anything bigger than that and I was always aware that I had a chunk of metal on my back. I loved that machine, despite its limitation.

So yes, I agree with you - I guess I'm thinking that Apple doesn't think like that when it comes to what is "Pro", but maybe things are changing. Especially if they could design something around an M2 SOC and make it ultralight but with good performance - maybe when running on power you could run it in a "high performance" mode or something.

Interesting times though!

 

[visualseed]

I have the M7, 8Gb ram, 512 ssd version of the 2016 12" MacBook, running Monterey. Just replaced the aging battery and I plan to keep using it until it dies. It is the best MacBook I have for travel and Ofice applications even using at home on my couch.

I just replaced the battery on mine a few months ago. It's still my go to computer when I travel though I don't do that much these days. For most stuff there is no indication there is a performance bottleneck (I got the 2017 i7/16gb). It even does light photoshop and Final Cut work without much lag. For all the complaints about the butterfly keyboard I managed to type so much on mine that I wore the keycaps down (even missing the centers of a few letters) without a single stuck key. If Apple updates it to any flavor of Apple Silicon, I'll be buying it on day one.

 

[wood1208]

Only Macbook I am looking forward to upgrade to is 15" Macbook AIR. Not sure what this tiny 12" Macbook offers ? Hope, Apple ships in box magnifying glasses.

 

[visualseed]

Only Macbook I am looking forward to upgrade to is 15" Macbook AIR. Not sure what this tiny 12" Macbook offers ? Hope, Apple ships in box magnifying glasses.

Why would you need a magnifying glass? The screen can be set to the about the same PPI as any other Mac display. screen might be a little cramped at lower resolutions, but 12pt type is pretty much 12pt type at the default resolution across all devices.

 

[anson42]

I’m guessing the 13” M2 Pro is a stopgap. There is no way Apple could sell a MacBook Pro with a worse chip than the Air, but with a new smaller close but not yet here they took the path of least resistance and did the smallest update possible with the current model.

Yep, a stopgap is what it appears to be. Rather than just retiring the 13" MBP they went ahead and gave it a minimal update. I suppose it makes sense if it really is Apple's #2 selling laptop to keep it in the lineup for a while longer. What Apple is missing is a new "Pro" laptop between USD1300 and USD2000. The 14" is, surprisingly and happily, too OP for $1300 to $1500.

 

[TechGuy327]

I don't buy this. I hope they do make a 15 inch MacBook Air though. That I would buy.

 

[einsteinbqat]

When should we expect M2 Pro and Max?

 

[DrCC]

The refresh cycle for the M chips seems to be 18 Months.

 

[radiologyman]

Day one purchase for me! I had 2 MacBooks 12 and multiple other ultraportables

 

[SFjohn]

View attachment 2017148

I'm back, bitches!


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I loved that machine! One of my all time favorites from Apple. It was painful to move on from it. So many fond memories.

 

[jav6454]

When should we expect M2 Pro and Max?

Earliest during the event that usually occurs in October. If not, then in March.

 

[einsteinbqat]

Earliest during the event that usually occurs in October. If not, then in March.

Thanks 🙏

 

[divinemercy]

I made a fairly extensive reddit post comparing the volume calculations on these products.

TL;DR: The Macbook 12" is 36% smaller and 25% lighter than the latest M2 MBA, making the difference between the 12" and Air lines significantly bigger than the difference between the Air and Pro lines. If the "Air" line's existence is justified because of smaller size and weight vs Pros, then the much smaller and lighter 12" line should at least be considered.

 

[MarcusRegis]

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman on Thursday reported that Apple is considering launching an all-new 12-inch notebook at the end of 2023 or in early 2024. Gurman said it is unclear if the 12-inch model would be a low-end MacBook or a higher-end MacBook Pro.

Twitter user "Majin Bu" has since claimed that the model will be a new 12-inch MacBook Pro that may be equipped with Apple's next-generation M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. In the MacBook Pro, Gurman said the M2 Max will feature a 12-core CPU and up to a 38-core GPU, while the M1 Max maxes out with a 10-core CPU and a 32-core GPU.

Apple has released both lower-end and higher-end 12-inch notebooks in the past. At the low end, Apple introduced an ultra-thin 12-inch MacBook that weighed just two pounds in 2015, but the notebook was discontinued in 2019. And at the higher end, Apple offered a 12-inch PowerBook G4 in the mid-2000s, prior to the original MacBook Pro.

In any case, Apple silicon chips deliver impressive performance per watt, paving the way for Apple to introduce ultra-portable, high-performance MacBooks without the thermal constraints of Intel processors that the company used over the last decade and a half.

Majin Bu has a hit-or-miss track record with Apple rumors, but he has gained some credibility recently after tweeting that Apple was planning a new 14.1-inch iPad Pro. The rumor has since been backed by very reliable display industry consultant Ross Young, who tweeted that his supply chain sources have confirmed that Apple is indeed planning a new 14.1-inch iPad Pro with a mini-LED display that could launch in 2023.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1535235336804212737

Article Link: Apple's Rumored 12-Inch MacBook Could Be Pro Model With M2 Pro and M2 Max

Finally, I have waited 6 years for this. still using my early 2016 MacBook, its light, fits nearly anywhere and runs like a champ. Its my personal device and does everything I need it to do. It is however starting to run out of juice in what seems to be a timely manner. I have never liked the foot print of the 'air' and the pro has always been too big, too heavy.

 

[tataylino]

how about "mackbook SE"...???
🤣

 

[Odessa]

12" pro would be sick, you could use it in clamshell mode at home with fat screen and everything and on the go whenever you want as an ultraportable solution.

 

[awsom82]

Instant buy for me, as it my daily work horse.