Display Industry Analyst Expresses Skepticism About 12-Inch MacBook Rumor

[transpo1]

It always seemed dubious but I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple released a 12” M2 MB at the same price as a 13” M1 Air… adding complexity to its product lineup and confusing users seems to be the norm for Apple these days.

This is the perfect laptop to bring back for use with the M1 or M2 chip. At 2 lbs., it’s the smallest, thinnest laptop they’ve ever made and I just used mine yesterday. Lover this machine and they would sell a TON of them if they brought it back as a MacBook Air SE with wedge shape

 

[Frantisekj]

Never liked the idea of a 12” MacBook. Might as well as carry an iPad.

I do like the idea of an MacBook SE and a 15” Air.

Many people liked that small factor. M3 would be ideal CPU for such model but I think Apple will push iPad as such alternative. We can see it in iOS 16.

 

[Xand&Roby]

I am a hobbyist photographer therefore ports are a big issue for me. I do not want to carry extra port adapters regardless of how small/light they are. I need a small laptop that has got the bare minimum of ext video port, a SD card reader and two usb ports, one to connect the camera and one to connect USB back up flash drive. If the machine has no SD card reader then a 3rd usb port so I can connect a USB card reader. My current go to machine for out an about photography is my 11inch Acer Ferrari one because not only does it have all the ports I need it is also powerful for my needs. All i want to carry is the laptop and charger and camera. I do not want to carry extra cables and port adapters just because a laptop manufacturer cannot be bothered to provide enough ports. When they do and it has the right size screen, I will buy it but until then I will carry on using my Acer.

oh and before people ask, no, plugging and unplugging ext devices to use the same port is not an option. I want to be able to plug in everything i need at once because it makes working a lot easier that having to keep swapping devices over due to lack of ports or having to carry extra port devices and cables. I want Apple to work around my needs, not for me to work around Apple's needs.

I understand your point of view, but I'm not convinced. When I went around for photographs and videos I was full of equipment of various kinds, not from the Mac but otherwise. An adapter makes no difference in the multitude of items I had with me.

Apple works for itself, like any company, if incidentally the interests of the company and the potential consumer coincide then he becomes a customer, otherwise not. I don’t expect Apple to serve my interests. I'm not one of those who has been dreaming of a cheap 15" for decades because believes he's dealing with one of the many Wintel producers.

I learned how Apple works, and I don't expect it to meet me, it's me who has to meet her, otherwise I can have fun with competing solutions.

 

[laptech]

I understand your point of view, but I'm not convinced. When I went around for photographs and videos I was full of equipment of various kinds, not from the Mac but otherwise. An adapter makes no difference in the multitude of items I had with me.

We are all different people, what works for you doesn't work for me.

I learned how Apple works, and I don't expect it to meet me, it's me who has to meet her, otherwise I can have fun with competing solutions.

I've been a long time Apple owner myself, I would have hoped they provided what I needed but they didn't so that is exactly what I did, found a competing solution and purchased that.

 

[boss.king]

Never liked the idea of a 12” MacBook. Might as well as carry an iPad.

I do like the idea of an MacBook SE and a 15” Air.

An iPad isn’t a replacement for a MacBook though. I personally don’t care whether they make a 12” machine or not, but an iPad isn’t a good alternative if you want a small computer with a desktop OS.

 

[wood1208]

Long as 15" Macbook Air is in pipeline, don't care about 12" toy. Apple not going to make Macbook less than 13" screen and current 13" MB will go away in next iteration.

 

[svish]

Some may like a smaller MacBook. But I would definitely want at least 13” for a MacBook. Also Ross is very accurate. So maybe a 12” MacBook might not be launched.

 

[senttoschool]

if you want a small computer with a desktop OS.

Market so small nowadays. iPads have become more powerful since the last 12" Macbook.

 

[boss.king]

Market so small nowadays. iPads have become more powerful since the last 12" Macbook.

I know they have. I have an 11" iPad Pro. It's not a laptop replacement.

 

[senttoschool]

I know they have. I have an 11" iPad Pro. It's not a laptop replacement.

It's to more people than before. Market smaller than before.

 

[boss.king]

It's to more people than before. Market smaller than before.

Which market is smaller?

 

[senttoschool]

Which market is smaller?

12" Macbook

 

[boss.king]

12" Macbook

I mean, the product doesn't exist, and the last one that did was awful in ways that are completely addressable today. I think speculating on how big the market might be is kinda pointless since we're both just going to be guessing.

 

[SactoGuy18]

I don't think Apple will revive the 12" MacBook. The market is too niche for a 12" model, especially with the larger size screens available for the MacBook Air M1 and M2 models.

 

[haydn!]

I know they have. I have an 11" iPad Pro. It's not a laptop replacement.

Realistically though, what tasks are you going to be doing on a 12” notebook that you can’t do on a 11” iPad paired with a keyboard case?

A 12” MacBook is never going to be heavy duty/pro device. And with an Apple Pencil, editing images, video, etc is all going to be better on an iPad.

A iPad is just an all round more capable device in that size range now. Even if it’s not yet a total laptop replacement for everyone.

 

[Steve121178]

Realistically though, what tasks are you going to be doing on a 12” notebook that you can’t do on a 11” iPad paired with a keyboard case?

A 12” MacBook is never going to be heavy duty/pro device. And with an Apple Pencil, editing images, video, etc is all going to be better on an iPad.

A iPad is just an all round more capable device in that size range now. Even if it’s not yet a total laptop replacement for everyone.

iPadOS is completely hopeless so I'd imagine there's a whole range of things that he can't do on an iPad that he can on a Mac.

Well over 70% of the apps I use have no iPadOS/iOS alternatives either, so what good is an iPad when it's not fit for purpose for a lot of people?

Not that I'd buy a 12" MacBook...

 

[haydn!]

iPadOS is completely hopeless so I'd imagine there's a whole range of things that he can't do on an iPad that he can on a Mac.

Well over 70% of the apps I use have no iPadOS/iOS alternatives either, so what good is an iPad when it's not fit for purpose for a lot of people?

Not that I'd buy a 12" MacBook...

But we're specifically talking about a 12" MacBook here, not Mac in general. That screen has so little real-estate that it's not going to be great for most "pro" work-flows. Leaving literally, email, browsing and media consumption. All of which the iPad excels at.

And then before anyone says, connect it to a monitor. If that's the plan, then ultra-portability isn't really a concern is it, so get a 13" MacBook Air.

 

[Steve121178]

But we're specifically talking about a 12" MacBook here, not Mac in general. That screen has so little real-estate that it's not going to be great for most "pro" work-flows. Leaving literally, email, browsing and media consumption. All of which the iPad excels at.

And then before anyone says, connect it to a monitor. If that's the plan, then ultra-portability isn't really a concern is it, so get a 13" MacBook Air.

I agree that 12" isn't an ideal screen size if you need to get a lot of work done but at least its a screen displaying macOS rather than iPadOS which is absolutely hopeless at anything other than the basics.

 

[mrmister]

"A iPad is just an all round more capable device in that size range now. Even if it’s not yet a total laptop replacement for everyone."

It's only 'all around more capable', which is super questionable, give ipadOS, bc it doesn't have an M1.

"And then before anyone says, connect it to a monitor. If that's the plan, then ultra-portability isn't really a concern is it"

You've never heard of people who want a very portable laptop for the field, and then a big screen at their desk?

I mean, isn't that...a lot of people?

Suspect strongly also that you haven't actually used a MacBook. I have for years, and it's great, and this talk of it wheezing and dying and being unable to do things is ridiculous.

 

[Tagbert]

But we're specifically talking about a 12" MacBook here, not Mac in general. That screen has so little real-estate that it's not going to be great for most "pro" work-flows. Leaving literally, email, browsing and media consumption. All of which the iPad excels at.

And then before anyone says, connect it to a monitor. If that's the plan, then ultra-portability isn't really a concern is it, so get a 13" MacBook Air.

I used to have an 11” MBA that was excellent as a portable device (for it’s day) and when I got to my desk, I hooked it up to a huge 20” monitor (again, huge in 2011 😊).

Most of what I used it for when on the road was email, documents, spreadsheets, powerpoint. At my desk I did photoshop and illustrator design work. I didn’t get it to do database development or pro-level video editing, but it was professional work.

 

[ScholarsInk]

The butterfly keyboard fans must have some special drug.

 

[mrmister]

“The butterfly keyboard fans must have some special drug.”

I read the whole thread, and don’t see anyone saying they prefer a butterfly keyboard. Did I miss some? Let me know. Otherwise you’re just talking.

 

[Lerenard3000]

PowerBook 12 fanboy here 🥰

 

[Xand&Roby]

12" Macbook

Before saying "smaller market than before" try to sketch a vaguely serious analysis or some data, thanks. And if the example is a tablet that is used with a physical keyboard and costs twice what a MacBook 12" cost, you should understand for yourself that the market is not smaller but bigger, because one that pays $ 2400 for an iPad with a keyboard in the hope that it's a Mac wants a Mac but it's too **** to figure it out.

 

[Xand&Roby]

Realistically though, what tasks are you going to be doing on a 12” notebook that you can’t do on a 11” iPad paired with a keyboard case?

A 12” MacBook is never going to be heavy duty/pro device. And with an Apple Pencil, editing images, video, etc is all going to be better on an iPad.

A iPad is just an all round more capable device in that size range now. Even if it’s not yet a total laptop replacement for everyone.

I honestly think too many talk without ever using a product.
I was doing video editing with 12 "in 2003/2005, and then in 2015/2019, and I worked in a national broadcaster, not with holiday movies or YouTube.
Of course I used a Mac Pro to do the work in the studio, but for work on the move I used a 12 "or the same 12" at home with an external monitor.
Could I have done this with an iPad? No.
Could I do it now with an iPad? Maybe, but it costs twice as much as a 12" MacBook and doesn't have macOS, I'd be a fool.
What are you talking about? But really in 2022 you still connect the size of a screen to productivity?
So since no one is productive under a certain diagonal (I guess: 13 "for those who don't have the money to buy an MBP, 14" / 16 "for those who don't want an iMac, because it seems to me that it's a problem to justify themselves your choices) we must assume that smartphones and tablets are useless for work.
Welcome 1993!
What tenderness..