MacBook 12 Myth - Not Powerful Enough

[JTBing]

I’ve been using the base model 2015 rMB since it was released, and only upgraded to a 2017 model a month ago. Never had any complaints with the speed, and I did a pretty wide variety of tasks on those 3 years.

 

[Falhófnir]

12-18 months is too optimistic to transition all their machines over. They could do it for the MacBook, but don't expect that for the iMac or Pro machines. Apple simply can't do it and expect to retain their higher end customers, since the third party software developers won't be able to transition as quickly. What they might do is introduce some of the higher end models in 12-18 months, but then keep an existing Intel model from each higher end line around for years.

It may be moot for me though, since I have a 2017 MacBook which I will keep as my primary laptop probably for more than 3 more years, at least into 2022 and perhaps longer. I will also keep my 2017 iMac for a long time, likely long past 2022 (unless I need to pass this down to my kids). I have 24 GB in my iMac which will likely last me the lifetime of the machine, but if necessary I can easily upgrade that. I also have a 1 TB SSD, and can easily expand that via USB-C or even Thunderbolt. In face, I already have a 1 TB USB-C Samsung T5 SSD, and performance is very good.

That could be a solution, I think it's going to be a weird situation if the rMB and MBA are trading blows in terms of power with the intel-running top of the line 15" Octa-core MBP! Already the A12X is theoretically within striking distance of the current machine (not just benchmarks either, even in 'real-world' tests like video rendering it does seem to keep up. Granted it's running iOS and iOS software versions, but even so that's quite something) and it's a passively cooled 7W chip! Having ARM variants of all machines from day one for those who are eager to make the switch, but offering some models with intel chips for maximum compatibility with x86 software for (however long they deem necessary) afterwards is probably the least painful option for everyone.

 

[noobinator]

I’ve been using the base model 2015 rMB since it was released, and only upgraded to a 2017 model a month ago. Never had any complaints with the speed, and I did a pretty wide variety of tasks on those 3 years.

How do you find the 2017 compared to the 2015 in speed? How about keyboard?

 

[JTBing]

How do you find the 2017 compared to the 2015 in speed? How about keyboard?

The keyboard is definitely an improvement. I’d gotten used to the butterfly keyboard pretty quickly. The new one is slightly louder but has a little more tactile feedback which is nice. Speed is also definitely an improvement. As I said, I’d never had major complaints about the speed of my old machine. However, everything is noticeably snappier on the 2017.

 

[radiologyman]

The keyboard is definitely an improvement. I’d gotten used to the butterfly keyboard pretty quickly. The new one is slightly louder but has a little more tactile feedback which is nice. Speed is also definitely an improvement. As I said, I’d never had major complaints about the speed of my old machine. However, everything is noticeably snappier on the 2017.

My experience between those two as well. I had some disconnects with AirPods on 2015 but they work great with 2017, with better range. Also able to play videos with higher bitrate and 4K on 2017. Amazing battery life on 2017.

 

[nburwell]

I recently went through with a decision on MB 12 vs MBP due to the MBP only being a couple hundred more for similar storage. I asked for opinions based on web browsing, document editing, and some light room photo editing (light work, nothing crazy). Most of the people said I'd be sorry if I didn't a MBP with 16gb RAM.

I have a 2017 MB and it takes photo editing in Lightroom like a champ. Like you, I don't do anything crazy in LR/PS, but my MB is a very capable machine with editing images I took, especially on the go.

And to think I originally bought the machine for grad school to use with Microsoft Office.

 

[grunty]

This thread has got me intrigued.. Was just about to buy a new MacBook Pro with 16gb / 512gb - spent lunchtime in the store looking at laptops and started having a play with the 12” MacBook and fell in love with the portability of it.

Coming from an entry level 2014 MacBook Pro, normal usage - bit of VMware but nothing major.

Given that I’m looking for an upgrade as I’m finding the 2014 MacBook a bit slow now - would I get away with the 12” or should I just forget it and move on with my life and get a MBP..

 

[EugW]

This thread has got me intrigued.. Was just about to buy a new MacBook Pro with 16gb / 512gb - spent lunchtime in the store looking at laptops and started having a play with the 12” MacBook and fell in love with the portability of it.

Coming from an entry level 2014 MacBook Pro, normal usage - bit of VMware but nothing major.

Given that I’m looking for an upgrade as I’m finding the 2014 MacBook a bit slow now - would I get away with the 12” or should I just forget it and move on with my life and get a MBP..

The entry level 2014 MacBook Pro with 2.6 GHz Core i5-4278U is still slightly faster than the 12" MacBook. The 12" MacBook can often keep up with it, but if you're finding your 2014 MBP slow, then you're better off getting a new MacBook Pro.

 

[noobinator]

This thread has got me intrigued.. Was just about to buy a new MacBook Pro with 16gb / 512gb - spent lunchtime in the store looking at laptops and started having a play with the 12” MacBook and fell in love with the portability of it.

Coming from an entry level 2014 MacBook Pro, normal usage - bit of VMware but nothing major.

Given that I’m looking for an upgrade as I’m finding the 2014 MacBook a bit slow now - would I get away with the 12” or should I just forget it and move on with my life and get a MBP..

I just looked up the geekbench scores for the base models for both and they are nearly identical.

https://browser.geekbench.com/macs/365

https://browser.geekbench.com/macs/412

 

[grunty]

I just looked up the geekbench scores for the base models for both and they are nearly identical.

https://browser.geekbench.com/macs/365

https://browser.geekbench.com/macs/412

Thank you - looks like I’m going for the pro then..

I’ll go back in at lunchtime tomorrow and see how I feel.

 

[grunty]

Just checked again (Single Core / Multi Core)

My current machine - 3375 / 6477
Macbook 12" - 3932 / 7556
MBP - 13" - 4523 / 16609

Macbook 12" would be a little bit of a bump.

 

[EugW]

Just checked again (Single Core / Multi Core)

My current machine - 3375 / 6477
Macbook 12" - 3932 / 7556
MBP - 13" - 4523 / 16609

Macbook 12" would be a little bit of a bump.

5% would not be noticeable, and the MacBook cannot maintain that over time either.

 

[cis4life]

I agree. I too have a macbook 12 (latest) and I have 0 problems with development. I don't use intelliJ or PHPStorm (mainly cause I love VS Code) but I run docker on it and set my ram use to a few gigs and then run my database containers for storage (MySql or Mongo). Again, no problems. So I mean, If your doing MASSIVE task like video editing and such (and I believe this can even handle video editing, I just dont use it for that) then as a secondary device, the Macbook 12 is awesome! For transparency, I have the m3 8gb model. Again, this is a secondary device for traveling and such.

 

[frankie1000]

Been using my 2017 M3 MacBook 12" all day doing PDF markup in Bluebeam for a big train depot construction site, lots of symbols being dropped in with lots of transparency shapes for zoning and had no problems at all, I doubt I would notice the difference in rendering speed between that and the works issue 4 core 8th gen i5 laptop that I don't use as much - yes it would be faster in general but the "lob it in a bag and connect via single port when in office" aspect plus the desktop switching speed and multitasking capability of macOS means I'm pretty much on par...

Love the MacBook... As soon as they release a new one I think I will just lay down the cash and be first at the door...