Best Buy Pulls 12-Inch MacBook, Fueling Hopes for April Refresh

[MacRumors]

Electronics retailer Best Buy has quietly removed all 12-inch MacBook models from its U.S. online store this week, fueling anticipation that Apple will refresh the ultra-thin notebook lineup in the near future.

The authorized reseller now lists all 12-inch MacBook models as "no longer available" on its website, whereas some remained available for purchase or in-store pickup as recently as this weekend.

Select MacBook Air models are also on sale for $150 off, potentially signaling that a broader Mac refresh could be imminent. Most current machines are historically due for an update, and appropriate Intel Skylake processors are now widely available. However, it should be noted that Best Buy frequently offers sales on Apple products.

Last month, reference of an early 2016 Retina MacBook, which has yet to be released, was discovered within OS X's System Image Utility application, spurring hopes that Apple will refresh the 12-inch MacBook by late April.

Apple has historically used the "early" model identifier for devices that launch during the first four months of the year, so Best Buy removing 12-inch MacBook stock is yet another indication that Apple may refresh the notebook within the next two weeks. If the refresh is in May or later, a "mid 2016" model identifier will likely be used.

Our Mac Buyer's Guide indicates that it has been 374 days since Apple released the current 12-inch MacBook on April 10, 2015, so it would be appropriate timing for a refresh. The notebook will likely be powered by Intel's low-power Skylake Core m3-6Y30, Core m5-6Y54, and Core m7-6Y75 processors.

Update: Select 12-inch MacBook models are also listed as out of stock at MacMall.

Article Link: Best Buy Pulls 12-Inch MacBook, Fueling Hopes for April Refresh

 

[levitynyc]

Great, now put a quality processor in there and drop the price to a reasonable level.

 

[Dydegu]

But what will the price be? That's the question.

 

[sulpfiction]

Refresh the price while your at it.

 

[SSD-GUY]

A poster on the MacBook subforum also pointed out that in the UK, the rMB is available on wednesday whereas all other Macs are available to shop from tuesday.

 

[pat500000]

Great laptop for who are limited in budget and don't care about specs.
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Refresh the price while your at it.

Maybe they will refresh it to 2999.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Personally want a Retina MBA refresh. 2 or 3 Thunderbolt 3 ports (USBc) + SD-Card + lighter and possibly 14" with thinner bezels. And kill the 11" MBA. No need for it and lower price of MB to make it entry model.

 

[Crosscreek]

Earnings report on April 25. They usually introduce something before the report.

 

[UltimaKilo]

I guess we have to wait for 10nm die shrink next year for the MacBook to sport anything other than a crappy Core M processor with limited iGPU.

 

[multipasser]

iMac and nMP are dead?

 

[Jal217]

Definitely going to be minor if it's not announced at an event. Probably just an updated set of price points and specs.

 

[tom123]

I guess we have to wait for 10nm die shrink next year for the MacBook to sport anything other than a crappy Core M processor with limited iGPU.

I would hardly call the core M processor crappy.I was amazed at how well it works. Try one out, then post how crappy they are, NOT.

 

[chrismail627]

Please either give it either a reduced price or increase the specs on the new model. I don't get the $1300 price tag; just buy a MacBook Pro for that price!

 

[tkukoc]

I use the entry level of last years model for every day use, have had zero issues with it. I edit photos, videos and even screen capture material from my phone. Depending on what they change I may pick up this years and sell last years. People should try these out, they aren't "slow" like the reviewers make them out to be.

 

[kevinkyoo]

Better processor, battery life, keyboard (doubtful), addition of one more USB-C port... Of course none of these are going to happen, but a man can dream

 

[Glassed Silver]

Great, now put a quality processor in there and drop the price to a reasonable level.

Not with these fashionista at the helm...

Who cares at long as it looks good! Function follows form, because it generates better margins and people are gullible enough!

Glassed Silver:mac

 

[UltimaKilo]

I would hardly call the core M processor crappy.I was amazed at how well it works. Try one out, then post how crappy they are, NOT.

I did... It was a nightmare. My 2011 MBP was much snappier.

 

[Zaft]

HD facetime camera?

 

[Andres Cantu]

Even if it's a minor update, at least they're paying attention to it, unlike the Mac Pro and Mac mini.

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

Perhaps they acted too early.

 

[OneMike]

Not shocked. They were $999 for a while + $50 edu off. Still not tempting

 

[Romanesq]

Well a bump up the Skylake processor by month's end may make these delightful.
It's a good sign and would signify there's similar good news coming for the Macbook Pro this year to follow.

 

[Rogifan]

Not with these fashionista at the helm...

Who cares at long as it looks good! Function follows form, because it generates better margins and people are gullible enough!

Glassed Silver:mac

Or you could just buy a MBP?

Please either give it either a reduced price or increase the specs on the new model. I don't get the $1300 price tag; just buy a MacBook Pro for that price!

Wasn't the MBA really expensive when it first came out too?

 

[69Mustang]

Core M?

/walks away

 

[kevinkyoo]

Perhaps they acted too early.

Funny, I think that's exactly how I would describe their releases with recent products.

"WE NEED SOMETHING THAT CAN ACT IN THE MIDLINE BETWEEN A LAPTOP AND A TABLET" - iPad Pro

"WE NEED A SMALLER PHONE" - iPhone SE

"WE NEED A SMART WATCH SINCE EVERYONE ELSE DOES" - Apple Watch

"WE NEED A THINNER PHONE TO PLEASE JON'S FETISH" - MacBook

"WE NEED A CASE THAT CHARGES BECAUSE THE 6S'S BATTERY IS ASS"

I can go on and on.
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Or you could just buy a MBP?



Wasn't the MBA really expensive when it first came out too?

It was also horrible with ports. It was a "trap door" mechanism that barely had anything - similar to the rMB.