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First Impressions of New 12-Inch MacBook: Ridiculously Light, but Thin Keys and Trackpad Take Getting Used To
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I have read the reviews, which all sound about the same, but I think we have to wait and see. I have personally gotten fairly comfortable touch typing on the iPad Air keyboard. Given the larger size and actual keys on the rMB, I can envision getting used to it pretty quickly. Or not, hard to say and obviously YMMV. My point is that I wouldn't rule it out before you've had a chance to try it out in real life.
This might be a machine for which the return period is really critical. Buy it, try it for 13 days, return it if it turns out to be a dud for you.
Hey Jony, add inductive charging and ditch the sole USB-C port. Then, I'll get a brain implant, and you can ditch the audio jack as well.
The tech looks nice on this computer. If they ever make a 15", I would get it. I'm under AppleCare until this June on my original retina 15", then I'm on my own. And I'm a bit scared because I've had my display replaced 3 times, new logic board, new bottom case (keyboard, etc), the only original part I think is the bottom plate. Apple kept on replacing stuff, and they've put more than $4k into repairs. Oh, new battery too. It's basically a new computer, but I'd like the new MacBook in 15" type, space gray.
The tech looks nice on this computer. If they ever make a 15", I would get it. I'm under AppleCare until this June on my original retina 15", then I'm on my own. And I'm a bit scared because I've had my display replaced 3 times, new logic board, new bottom case (keyboard, etc), the only original part I think is the bottom plate. Apple kept on replacing stuff, and they've put more than $4k into repairs. Oh, new battery too. It's basically a new computer, but I'd like the new MacBook in 15" type, space gray.
Didn't we already have a list of the missing features?
- no parallel port
- no VGA port
- no OS/2 mouse port
- no floppy port
- no ADB
- no composite video out
- no RS-232 port
- no Kensington slot
I'm sure I forgot something.
I wasn't aware Apple had said the keyboard was made of magic quantum materials so it will somehow gain additional key travel when I, and apparently only I, am observing it.
Sorry to burst your bubble. I know you think you have some kind of elevated understanding of design but you don't. An Audio jack is the same size as a regular USB port.
Sorry to burst your bubble. I know you think you have some kind of elevated understanding of design but you don't. An Audio jack is the same size as a regular USB port.
Your photo proves that to be untrue.
Look at the size of the inner ring of the audio port and you will see that is close to the size of the port on the new 12" MacBook...
...the audio port design is similar to the one used on the iPhone 6...
...without that enormous port "bezel" seen in your photo.
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RIP MagSafe.
They couldn't f*&^*&^&%*^%*% leave a power adapter + one port?
I miss my 12" PB
Edit: Wait, you have to pay $79+ to plug in everything????
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MJ1K2AM/A/usb-c-digital-av-multiport-adapter
oh, yes.... its a camera kit, only with more ports.
They can't go with a more powerful CPU without losing the fanless design and hurting battery life. Their insistence in thinness is the problem here. That means a thinner battery, which means you need a lower powered CPU, or ditch the fan, or both if you want to keep it competitive.
You don't need to convince me not to buy the Macbook. It's absolutely useless for me and I will never get one. But there's nothing wrong with the CPU performance wise.
When keyboards first came out, they didn't feel intuitive- because no one had ever used one before. But we got used to them.
True, but that's when keyboards were new. Keyboards have been around for decades now. So??
Are you serious ? It's the same length from top to bottom. If you want to argue that its shorter vertically, then yes...
a circle is not the same at a rectangle. But you know that. You understand the point being made. Leave it to an Apple cheerleader to totally ignore the facts and argue the dimensions of a circle for no reason at all other than to defend Apple regardless of the truth.
Here's the truth bub, Apple just wanted to be first with USB-C , they VERY EASILY could have put a regular USB port in this Notebook, it WOULD have fit.
You know why they didn't ? I'll tell you: They wan't you as the consumer to sacrifice convenience by removing all normal methods and FORCE you to use this new jack. They aren't giving you a choice. Anyone who gets this Notebook is being screwed with. That's the truth.
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Out of curiosity, is the thunderbolt connection now dead (not applicable) on this one?
Otherwise, this, at least for me, was the most uneventful, boring, ridiculous, useless and obnoxious (USB-C) APPLE announcement to date. Just how many new connection standards is APPLE going to gift us with in the next say 24 months?
Otherwise, this, at least for me, was the most uneventful, boring, ridiculous, useless and obnoxious (USB-C) APPLE announcement to date. Just how many new connection standards is APPLE going to gift us with in the next say 24 months?
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Okay, you're right. The cheapest MacBook Pro is the same price as this new MacBook. AND, the MacBook Air is actually cheaper.
So, in Apple's lineup, this seems to be more of a mid-range notebook in terms of price. So, forget what I said about the Aveo. Instead, consider the Equinox. That's an SUV, considerably more expensive than an Aveo, but not far off from a Camaro, depending on the configuration. But, even if I can afford the Camaro or an Equinox, the choice I make will depend on my what my needs are.
Similarly, Apple is giving you a choice. You can spend your $1,299 on a watered down MacBook Pro, save the money and buy a MacBook Air, or go for the new MacBook if thinness and lightness are PARAMOUNT for you. It's a choice. You're the consumer. Spend your money as you see fit. But please try not to complain that Apple didn't fill it with better features! If you want more ports, faster processor, more memory, bigger hard drive, or whatever, there's a MacBook for that. But this one seems to be their ultra thin and light version...and sacrifices were made to ensure that.
Also, when I complained about the Chevrolet I used to drive (for a variety of reasons), I realized I should stop complaining and switch manufacturers. That's why we have a free market in the USA...people can CHOOSE what suits them best. But complaining in a MacRumors forum about Apple's design choices for one particular model seems pretty futile to me. I suppose it's POSSIBLE that Tim Cook is reading this right now, but I just don't think it's likely.
I'd love to see some of the advancements done on this notebook migrated to the other lines:
1. Individual LED for keys--Better battery life
2. Stacked battery design--Better battery life
3. Force click trackpad--Already in the 13, should be in all. Clever
4. Retina on the Airs
5. Colors--Who doesn't like variety? I'd love a metallic black MBP
Unfortunately, I think the old Apple paradigm of give something-take something away will be in effect, and they'll take something many of us will not like away:
1. Connectivity: We'll have to live in dongle-hell while paying for it on top of the computer's price. See the new Mac (Video) Pro.
2. Upgradeability: This is already well on the way. The loss of ability to upgrade RAM and storage space is already a deal-breaker for many, including me. The cMBPs were the last real portable computers produced by Apple. Welcome to the Post-PC era, guys, where everything (Apple) is an appliance.
3. Repairability: See #2. We used to (very easily, thanks to Apple's well-thought out design) be able to do this in the field. Now you have to ship it to an Apple Store from wherever the f* you are in the world. Better bring an entire device as backup instead of a few RAM modules and spare HDD/SSD. Oh, and dongles. Lots of them. Anything made by Apple with "pro" on it is a joke. So the name on this device is actually accurate.
This device is a very nice-looking yet horrible, horrible value that caters to the rich, like Ferrari, Porsche and BMW does. Apple keeps pushing further and further upscale, and into the fashion and fur, Rodeo Drive, Fifth Avenue, 1-percenter world. Which will undoubtedly make them tons of money.
However, they are also moving away from the best-devices-on-the-planet world. The really cannot say they make them with a straight face anymore.
This is a serious, seriously troubling trend.
But alas, welcome to the new Apple.
Love it or leave it
I made my final Apple purchase a month ago--a refurb 15" cMBP.
1. Individual LED for keys--Better battery life
2. Stacked battery design--Better battery life
3. Force click trackpad--Already in the 13, should be in all. Clever
4. Retina on the Airs
5. Colors--Who doesn't like variety? I'd love a metallic black MBP
Unfortunately, I think the old Apple paradigm of give something-take something away will be in effect, and they'll take something many of us will not like away:
1. Connectivity: We'll have to live in dongle-hell while paying for it on top of the computer's price. See the new Mac (Video) Pro.
2. Upgradeability: This is already well on the way. The loss of ability to upgrade RAM and storage space is already a deal-breaker for many, including me. The cMBPs were the last real portable computers produced by Apple. Welcome to the Post-PC era, guys, where everything (Apple) is an appliance.
3. Repairability: See #2. We used to (very easily, thanks to Apple's well-thought out design) be able to do this in the field. Now you have to ship it to an Apple Store from wherever the f* you are in the world. Better bring an entire device as backup instead of a few RAM modules and spare HDD/SSD. Oh, and dongles. Lots of them. Anything made by Apple with "pro" on it is a joke. So the name on this device is actually accurate.
This device is a very nice-looking yet horrible, horrible value that caters to the rich, like Ferrari, Porsche and BMW does. Apple keeps pushing further and further upscale, and into the fashion and fur, Rodeo Drive, Fifth Avenue, 1-percenter world. Which will undoubtedly make them tons of money.
However, they are also moving away from the best-devices-on-the-planet world. The really cannot say they make them with a straight face anymore.
This is a serious, seriously troubling trend.
But alas, welcome to the new Apple.
Love it or leave it
I made my final Apple purchase a month ago--a refurb 15" cMBP.
This is
telling you to get used to this level of power, and to see how well it actually does work,it is going to be ATOM from here on out, APPLE has had it with INTELS BS
USB Dimensions
Width 12 mm (A-plug),[1] 8.45 mm (B-plug); 7 mm (mini/micro-USB)
Height 4.5 mm (A-plug),[1] 7.78 mm (B-plug, pre-v3.0); 1.5–3 mm (mini/micro-USB)
So USB is only 4.5 mm high
And Macbook is 13.5 mm high
Annnnnnndddd.........We can't fit a normal USB in there huh ?
Oh wait ! You totally could
Width 12 mm (A-plug),[1] 8.45 mm (B-plug); 7 mm (mini/micro-USB)
Height 4.5 mm (A-plug),[1] 7.78 mm (B-plug, pre-v3.0); 1.5–3 mm (mini/micro-USB)
So USB is only 4.5 mm high
And Macbook is 13.5 mm high
Annnnnnndddd.........We can't fit a normal USB in there huh ?
Oh wait ! You totally could
Are you serious ? It's the same length from top to bottom. If you want to argue that its shorter vertically, then yes...
But you know that. You understand the point being made. Leave it to an Apple cheerleader to totally ignore the facts and argue the dimensions of a circle for no reason at all other than to defend Apple regardless of the truth.
Here's the truth bub, Apple just wanted to be first with USB-C , they VERY EASILY could have pot a regular USB port in this Notebook, it WOULD have fit.
You know why they didn't ? I'll tell you: You wan't you as the consumer to sacrifice convenience by removing all normal methods and FORCE you to use this new jack. They aren't giving you a choice. Anyone who gets this Notebook is being screwed with. That's the truth.
yes, the truth. thanks for providing that.
usb c is the next usb. and the adaptor will allow that port to do several things at once. so, more useful than a 'regular' usb port, for instance, and no place for the AC adapter.
Are you serious? None of those are in prevalent use today (although the Kensignton slot is still quite useful).
I love those arguments; how people bring back BS to support their blind cheereleading.
They completely ignore the truth:
This machine is, cuttting-edge as it may be, incompatible with EVERYTHING out there TODAY (wi-fi aside).
You need OTHER DEVICES to make it compatible, even with Apple's OWN ECOSYSTEM.
It's OK to like the machine for what you want it to do (lighter-weight to carry, that's it).
But it is also OK to point out what it CAN'T do, and how inferior that makes it to even Apple's own offerings (past and present, besides only its weight).
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I looked up some synthetic benchmarks to see how much worse than Core M is in comparison to the Haswells. Turns out it's slower, but not by much. It's competitive, certainly. Hardly what I'd call a tablet CPU in a PC.
I'd say it probably gives you about the same performance as a Sandy/Ivy Bridge i5, at a 3rd of the power consumption of a Haswell chip. It won't win any awards for speed, but it's not half bad. As you can see from the article, it pegs out as the stepping stone between the Atom CPUs, and the Haswell i5's.
dude, it's a joke, anyone can tell that. a 'parallel port'? anyway, u missed the joke. but...with the adapter, you can connect several things. u can add a usb hub. and as far as apple's ecosystem, with wifi syncing for ios, the cloud, the timecapsule...there's NOTHING u can't now do. so, speakers from the headphone jack, usb, a monitor and power from the adapter. you're good.
if you need firewire, or scsi...then you're out of luck.
I might be wrong, but I honestly don't think Apple built this for TODAY.
I think they have a vision of where both the general digital world and the Apple ecosystem in particular are going to be in five years, and built this machine to start things moving in that direction.
We will see if they are right. There will be a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth on the way.