Macbook M1 12", 11" 10" (!) likelihood in 2021?

[sotov]

What is the latest speculation on the return of a smaller form factor macbook in 2021?

12", 11", 10?"

The air 11" without bezels could be a 10" computer hence those even lower numbers. A lot of buzz surrounds a 14," but i'm more interested in smaller form factors. Thanks for any info.

 

[andrewstirling]

No info. But I genuinely think there’s zero chance of a smaller MacBook anytime soon. They might shrink the air I suppose as there’s currently little to differentiate it from the pro. But I think it’s far more likely that they’ll achieve this differentiation by making the pro 14”

 

[bill-p]

Honestly, with Big Sur trending towards bigger buttons and more iOS-like interface, I think it's more likely that we'll start seeing more Macs with bigger screens, not smaller. We can see the trend starting with the 16" MacBook Pro, and the Pro Display XDR being 32" instead of 27" or 30" like in the past.

I wouldn't be surprised if the next iMac Pro is 32" with a 6K display.

And yeah, the next differentiation will probably come in the form of a 14" MacBook Pro.

It seems the iPad is taking over nicely at the smaller screen size segment already. Apple just has to refresh the iPad Mini with smaller bezels.

 

[1madman1]

I miss the size of my 2015 12" Macbook, regretted replacing it with a 13" Macbook Pro which has since died.

I'd buy a new 11" or 12", I'm actively looking for a deal on a 2017 12" for a word processor/email system.

I would not buy a 14".

 

[Apple_Robert]

I would say the chances are slim to none but, I will keep the faith.

 

[andrewstirling]

I miss the size of my 2015 12" Macbook, regretted replacing it with a 13" Macbook Pro which has since died.

I'd buy a new 11" or 12", I'm actively looking for a deal on a 2017 12" for a word processor/email system.

I would not buy a 14".

Why so averse if they achieve the bigger screen size by making the bezels smaller?

 

[sotov]

No info. But I genuinely think there’s zero chance of a smaller MacBook anytime soon. They might shrink the air I suppose as there’s currently little to differentiate it from the pro. But I think it’s far more likely that they’ll achieve this differentiation by making the pro 14”

I agree with your assesment. I do wonder about an educational segment - smaller and less expensive. The way a low end ipad is a few hundred dollars if they will have a segment with the arm chips that is relatively inexpensive for apple. I don't know if this will undercut their existing marketshare - but tend to think the opposite. A lot of people, first time apple hardware owners, would come into the ecosystem with less of an investment. Those that want the premium hardware will buy that anyway.

Why so averse if they achieve the bigger screen size by making the bezels smaller?

It's not that, its the 12" form factor which is a very different experience than a 13.5" that weighs an exta pound. Somehow you just bring the 12 around with you, need it or not. Hold up an air 11" to the current sizes and you'll feel the difference. One you just toss in your bag, the other you wonder "do I really need to bring this?"

 

[sotov]

Honestly, with Big Sur trending towards bigger buttons and more iOS-like interface, I think it's more likely that we'll start seeing more Macs with bigger screens, not smaller. We can see the trend starting with the 16" MacBook Pro, and the Pro Display XDR being 32" instead of 27" or 30" like in the past.

I wouldn't be surprised if the next iMac Pro is 32" with a 6K display.

And yeah, the next differentiation will probably come in the form of a 14" MacBook Pro.

It seems the iPad is taking over nicely at the smaller screen size segment already. Apple just has to refresh the iPad Mini with smaller bezels.

I think the 32" imac is spot on. I have seen mockups that look like, as someone else put it; "an ipad on a stick." Thin massive display with a hidden computer in it.

I remember seeing the 5K imac for the first time and it was laggy just scrolling around a large image. The chipset just couldn't keep up. With apple silicon they can really do it properly - a photogaphers dream desktop all in one. All that's missing is touch - which makes me think if apple does integrate touch in a "mac" it will be on the imac first. At the 32" size it's practically a drafting table already.

I remember microsoft tried this, but aren't certain what held it back.

 

[tdar]

No,No.No.

 

[1madman1]

Why so averse if they achieve the bigger screen size by making the bezels smaller?

Nothing to do with the screen size. The machine would just be too large and heavy. The 13” I had replaced my 12” with is probably twice the size by volume and weighs 1/3rd more. It makes a big difference if you're lugging it around all day. The 12" is also easier to fit into existing bags - usually fits into compartments designed for paper as it's not far off from "Letter" or A4 standard sizes.

 

[Bug-Creator]

The last 12" (love it including the keyboard ) with it's 2015 style bezels was just big enough to fit a proper-sized but still somewhat cramped keyboard so I wouldn't expect anything smaller.

I wouldn't be surprised if a redesigned MBA would end up with the same footprint (as the 12") but still being 13" (or maybe something odd like 12.5").

 

[Falhófnir]

Smaller than the 12" MacBook is very unlikely, its size is defined by the width of the keyboard, and that Apple won't compromise on. The 11.6" MacBook Air used a 16:9 display so the display is effectively the same width, but not as tall.