The 12 inch MacBook and its relevance in Apples Notebook lineup

[PatriotInvasion]

I don't understand why people have a hard time comprehending that the "Air" moniker referred to products that were so thin and light they were worthy of the name at the time. The only reason that Apple still sells both the MacBook Air and now the iPad Air 2 is because they have palatable price points and the masses like low entry prices for Apple products. It has nothing to do with the long-term viability of the "Air" branding moniker.

Once Apple updates the 12-inch MacBook and bumps that price down to $1,099 (or even $999 if they want to sell them like hotcakes) the Air line is dead. Finito. Outta here. No reason to exist. USB-C will take over and adapters will have to do for everyone who wants to connect legacy accessories. People will adapt and those who complain are probably the same ones with external SuperDrives on their desk like savages.

I think and hope we see the following lineup by next year:

12-inch MacBook starting at $999
13-inch MacBook Pro starting at $1,299
15-inch MacBook Pro starting at $1,799

Clean, simple setup like it was back when the first MacBook was released in 2006. It would also mean that every display Apple ships is finally a Retina display (except for the Thunderbolt Display which should hopefully get to 5K Retina once the DisplayPort 1.3 spec is supported by Intel and becomes part of the Thunderbolt 3/USB-C lineup). RIP "Air" brand 2008-2017.

 

[0983275]

Skylake rMB starting at £899 would be really sweet, then at least I can get the 512GB version for not much more than the price of current 1.1/256GB rMB.

If the next update is when they stop using Air name for MacBooks, will the line up take the place of/alongside next to the non retina 13" MacBook pro?

 

[applesith]

I agree in general with your post, but the one glaring problem is that a Pro that packs a powerful quad core processor, a discrete GPU, a fan to keep everything cool, a retina screen, and a battery to power it all will not be that thin. Unless you want a computer with 4 or 5 hours of battery life, it just won't happen.

My hope for the Apple laptop line:

12" MacBook: 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, starts at $999
14" MacBook: 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, starts at $1199
14" MacBook Pro: 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, starts at $1499
16" MacBook Pro: 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, starts at $1999

Those are starting prices with RAM and storage options adding to the cost. The Pros should all have dGPUs and quad core processors to distinguish them as truly "pro" level machines, especially the 13" which is currently more of an Air with retina screen (chassis notwithstanding). The big question is whether the 14" MacBook has a Core M chip and fanless or a U-class chip that needs a fan. I could see that going either way, with consequences for either design.

The point here is that I think Apple needs to clean up their laptop lines, and they could do so easily by delivering the same capabilities they have now with fewer models. But this is just my opinion. We'll probably know a lot more by WWDC.

126GB starting is a joke. It would be dumb to drop a tier for the next model.
dGPU starting at 1499? Never going to happen.
Why go from 16GB standard on 15" Pro to now 8GB for the 16"??

 

[toddzrx]

Why go from 16GB standard on 15" Pro to now 8GB for the 16"??

Fixed it to 16; oversight on my part.

126GB starting is a joke. It would be dumb to drop a tier for the next model.

Not if Apple still wants a sub-$1K laptop. Go back and read the other posters who agree.

dGPU starting at 1499? Never going to happen.

I'll be surprised if the smaller Pro ever sees a discrete GPU again, but it's my opinion/hope. A $1499 starting price for those specs is perfectly reasonable, given Apple's pricing scheme for the current 13" Pro. My reasoning for the DGPU in all the Pro models is to emphasize the "Pro" of its title, and give clear distinction between my proposed MacBook line and Pro line.

 

[applesith]

Fixed it to 16; oversight on my part.



Not if Apple still wants a sub-$1K laptop. Go back and read the other posters who agree.



I'll be surprised if the smaller Pro ever sees a discrete GPU again, but it's my opinion/hope. A $1499 starting price for those specs is perfectly reasonable, given Apple's pricing scheme for the current 13" Pro. My reasoning for the DGPU in all the Pro models is to emphasize the "Pro" of its title, and give clear distinction between my proposed MacBook line and Pro line.

So you think a dGPU can be justified in a $1500 price point, but to keep the 12" at $1000, they need to drop the storage from 256 to 128? I don't follow your logic.

And the 13" has been part of Pro without a dGPU, so that's clearly not the defining feature.

 

[printrenori]

It'd be a way to hit a specific marketing driven price point such as $999 even though higher spec models cost more. There's value to being able to advertise a low "starting at..." price. Gets people in the door who then realize they better in the middle model "just to be safe".

Not to mention that there are a bunch of people in the world who don't really need much local storage. There are many who may need a light and portable laptop for whom a paltry 128GB is enough. We propeller heads, usually surrounding ourselves with other propeller heads, often forget the myriad non-techie users who have very modest compute needs.

I don't think 128 GB is going to happen simply for one reason, because Apple hasn't made it happen. Apple chose to release the first gen rMB with 256 or 512, and no 128 option, even though 128 is the MBP entry-level storage and 128 would've been technologically easier to pull off. I have never seen Apple go *down* in storage on the same line. And by putting 256 as the minimum for performance-wise the lowest-end MacBook, I think they fully intend on making 256 the minimum for MacBooks across the board.

 

[PatriotInvasion]

I don't think 128 GB is going to happen simply for one reason, because Apple hasn't made it happen. Apple chose to release the first gen rMB with 256 or 512, and no 128 option, even though 128 is the MBP entry-level storage and 128 would've been technologically easier to pull off. I have never seen Apple go *down* in storage on the same line. And by putting 256 as the minimum for performance-wise the lowest-end MacBook, I think they fully intend on making 256 the minimum for MacBooks across the board.

Apple just went down in storage for the entry 9.7-inch iPad Pro. $599 now gets you 32GB vs 64GB previously. You could argue it's a different product now, but to most of us it's the same.

Another example would be them lowering the available SSD portion of the 1TB Fusion drives from 128GB to just 24GB.

 

[toddzrx]

So you think a dGPU can be justified in a $1500 price point, but to keep the 12" at $1000, they need to drop the storage from 256 to 128? I don't follow your logic.

Actually, given today's Air pricing, Apple would probably drop a base 12" to 4GB RAM to meet a $999 price point; I'm hoping Apple gets a little more generous though. As far as the dGPU in a (proposed) 14" Pro: an extra $500 gets you an upgraded CPU, a dGPU, and an additional 128GB of storage on the 15" Pro. Again, I'm hoping Apple is a little generous and starts a base 14" Pro at the equivalent current 13" price, but throws in the dGPU. But hey, it's just speculating.

And the 13" has been part of Pro without a dGPU, so that's clearly not the defining feature.

Well yeah, but I said originally that I'd like to see the point of the Pro lineup overall is more power, and this is primarily seen in better graphics and a faster processor.

 

[0983275]

Dropping the base RAM from 8GB to 4GB would be silly, considering in the past they've upped the specs and kept or reduced the price.

 

[applesith]

Dropping the base RAM from 8GB to 4GB would be silly, considering in the past they've upped the specs and kept or reduced the price.

Exactly. People don't seem to get that.

 

[Howard2k]

El Capitan is barely usable on 4GB. who are these people who would buy a 4GB/128GB device and what would they do with it?

 

[AFEPPL]

Maybe I'm missing the point, but... with the rMB at $1299 you get 8GB RAM and 256GB Flash with a retina screen. In the Air that config would also cost you $1299,... i know where my money would go.. If/when they kill off the air i can see the rMB dropping down to a lower price point. Or maybe they will leave just the 11" MBA to allow for a cheap entry device for consumers. With the iPP at $1100, the laptops look a bargain... 11", r12" r13" and a r15".. something for everyone.

 

[BenTrovato]

They phased out the iPad Air... and they will be phasing out the MBA. Should be easy to see, the writing is on the wall.

 

[hanser]

El Capitan is barely usable on 4GB. who are these people who would buy a 4GB/128GB device and what would they do with it?

It is extremely usable on my wifes Air with 4GB/128GB.
[doublepost=1460642751][/doublepost]

They phased out the iPad Air... and they will be phasing out the MBA. Should be easy to see, the writing is on the wall.

Where do you see the iPad Air phased out? It is only reduced in price, still available. I think it will be continued as a less expensive line below the iPad Pro and expect an upgrade in autumn.

 

[BenTrovato]

It is extremely usable on my wifes Air with 4GB/128GB.
[doublepost=1460642751][/doublepost]

Where do you see the iPad Air phased out? It is only reduced in price, still available. I think it will be continued as a less expensive line below the iPad Pro and expect an upgrade in autumn.

It hasn't been updated in how long? The new 9.7" is called the Pro. The MBA hasn't been given a retina screen while every other product has. Sometimes the blatantly obvious is the most difficult to see.

The iPad Air is done. I liked it, but it's done in name. Going forward it's iPad Mini and iPad Pro 9.7/12.9. That's it.

 

[PatriotInvasion]

It hasn't been updated in how long? The new 9.7" is called the Pro. The MBA hasn't been given a retina screen while every other product has. Sometimes the blatantly obvious is the most difficult to see.

The iPad Air is done. I liked it, but it's done in name. Going forward it's iPad Mini and iPad Pro 9.7/12.9. That's it.

Exactly. Just because they still sell it doesn't mean it's a viable product line anymore. Just means they think they can get more people into the ecosystem at that price point. I dislike that they do this because it hurts my Craigslist resale value of the old model and keeps the perception that there is somehow a future for the product when there isn't.

 

[hanser]

I don´t think they will offer 9.7 iPads from 600 up, they need a cheaper entry model for the most popular size. Either they manage to reduce the price of the pro or they will offer an upgrade for the air in autumn. I think there is still a market for a full size iPad without pencil support and smart connector. In contrast, I agree that the Macbook Air will probably supplanted by the retina Macbook in a few years, as soon as they manage to get the price for the rMB down to entry model level. Up to then they will keep the Air as entry model.

 

[PatriotInvasion]

I don´t think they will offer 9.7 iPads from 600 up, they need a cheaper entry model for the most popular size. Either they manage to reduce the price of the pro or they will offer an upgrade for the air in autumn. I think there is still a market for a full size iPad without pencil support and smart connector. In contrast, I agree that the Macbook Air will probably supplanted by the retina Macbook in a few years, as soon as they manage to get the price for the rMB down to entry model level. Up to then they will keep the Air as entry model.

I think the entry level model becomes the iPad mini 5. They sell tons of iPad minis. If they want a non-Pro 9.7-inch iPad than fine, but just call it a 9.7-inch iPad. Ditch the word Air...it no longer applies.

 

[toddzrx]

Dropping the base RAM from 8GB to 4GB would be silly.

Not if they are trying to meet a specific price point, and because the current MacBook is priced at $1300 with its 8GB/256GB. Again, I'm just speculating. Would I like to see 8GB/128GB at $999? Absolutely.

 

[kiranmk2]

We are seeing Apple up the storage levels across the board. iOS devices are going from 16/64/128 to 32/128/256 which will nex be rolled out to the iPhone (perhaps only the 7+ this year) and the next iPad Mini. At the same time the minimum laptop storage size has increased from 128 GB and as seen with the rMB I would expect the next rMBP refresh to see 256/512(1024) options for low/high/BTO for both 13 and 15" models. As long as I've been foloowing Apple they have always been really stingy with storage - my first MB had 160 GB when the Windows minimum at the time was 250 (if not 320 GB). You can now get a consumer 512 GB SSD for under £100 (about $130 before tax) - yes Apple uses superfast PCIe drives but they are not that much more expensive (especially in the quantity Apple buys them at).

 

[boltjames]

Last year Apple launched a new MacBook. A new notebook that was thinner than the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro, packed with new amazing innovations, and had only 1 port to do everything. Apple called it, "The future of notebooks". It was for the people who wanted ease of use, no wires, and an amazing notebook.

I was really excited about this product. I waited till they updated their website and straight headed for the comparison chart. The innvovation on the new Macbook is Just Amazing. But the thing I went to search was, how different is it from the old MacBook Air (13 inch). Now the comparison chart just showed the specs; the battery life, processor, etc. Execpt for the thinness and Retina Display, and taking account only specs, the old MacBook Air was better than the new Macbook in every way. The MacBook Air in terms of daily usability only lacks the Retina display (which it'll probably receive with a new update this year). It costs $200-$300 lesser, has a better battery life, an inch larger screen, and more ports to connect to. The new MacBook on the other hand has only 1 new usb type C port, which was used for power, connectivity and replaced all the other ports.

Now, its been almost a year and you must have gotten bored with the ranting of people saying that "only one port is not convinient", "now we have to buy accessories for more ports" etc, etc. The important point of the discussion is, does this notebook still have a place in the MacBook Lineup and does it need an update. Well, the MacBook mainly functions on wifi and bluetooth, which every other Mac can also do. The old MacBooks can have a litle more functionality too. And we all are hoping that Apple does not stick with this "1 port" thing with other Notebooks as well. But what I learned from the new Notebook was the way Apple was thinking forward. I am Amazed at the amount of innovation that has gone in this product and it certianly did deserve a place in the Apple lineup for a year.

We know that the technolgy used is going to come on the other MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs to make them more thinner and better. The new Keyboard Mechanism, the new CPU thats 67% smaller, the new batteries, etc are all going to be seen in other products. Also, since the MacBook pro need more ports, it is likely that they would have more than 1 USB- C Ports.Similar more ports would come to the MacBook Air. Then, these Macbooks would be more efficient, making the the "New" MacBook, "old".

So, after a year, it seems that once the other MacBooks in the lineup are updated, Apple will not update this product; since all notebooks will feature the same functionality. Apple could either replace this one with the Macbook Air, or just remove the MacBook Air all together.

However, I feel (even its a bit too farfetched) that the MacBook could be updated only for a sole reason of showing what's coming next in the future. It could become the product that shows off the hardwork that goes into research and development, and become a product that reflects what Apple is trying to go forward with. (Just like they did with this one). It would symbolize what Apple wants to achieve. With the next MacBook, Apple could just "Dip their toes in the water" and check the response of the consumers. But then again, it would seem that the MacBook is just a "Product for Developers and Engineers" and the other Macbook's are for the consumers and Enterprises.

TLDR

The RMB is one of Apple's greatest achievements. Tell me, is this 'blogger' acknowledging this fact or whining like the rest of them?

I'm on a very expensive and exclusive vacation, not in the mood for cheap and pedestrian aggravation.

BJ

 

[izzyfanto]

Not to mention that there are a bunch of people in the world who don't really need much local storage. There are many who may need a light and portable laptop for whom a paltry 128GB is enough. We propeller heads, usually surrounding ourselves with other propeller heads, often forget the myriad non-techie users who have very modest compute needs.

USB-C will take over and adapters will have to do for everyone who wants to connect legacy accessories. People will adapt and those who complain are probably the same ones with external SuperDrives on their desk like savages.

Haha! Propeller heads and savages. Y'all are funny.

I think y'all make great points. I'm only halfway through my MBA 128 HD. In fact I'd gladly trade the MB baseline 256 for a more CPU. Love the 8 GB RAM. USB-C doesn't bother me at all. One concern I've had is the long term affects of heat on the fanless CPU when it is constantly Turbo Boosting. Has anyone heard of issues with that?

I really wanted to buy the MB with 1.3 CPU. Just too expensive! It needs to drop in price, no question. Fingers crossed for WWDC, been waiting to upgrade from my MBA.

 

[Trey M]

I agree in general with your post, but the one glaring problem is that a Pro that packs a powerful quad core processor, a discrete GPU, a fan to keep everything cool, a retina screen, and a battery to power it all will not be that thin. Unless you want a computer with 4 or 5 hours of battery life, it just won't happen.

My hope for the Apple laptop line:

12" MacBook: 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, starts at $999
14" MacBook: 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, starts at $1199
14" MacBook Pro: 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, starts at $1499
16" MacBook Pro: 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, starts at $1999

Those are starting prices with RAM and storage options adding to the cost. The Pros should all have dGPUs and quad core processors to distinguish them as truly "pro" level machines, especially the 13" which is currently more of an Air with retina screen (chassis notwithstanding). The big question is whether the 14" MacBook has a Core M chip and fanless or a U-class chip that needs a fan. I could see that going either way, with consequences for either design.

The point here is that I think Apple needs to clean up their laptop lines, and they could do so easily by delivering the same capabilities they have now with fewer models. But this is just my opinion. We'll probably know a lot more by WWDC.

Yeah, I agree with your assessment. 12, 14, 14pro, 16pro seems to be the best way for them to consolidate the line and hit all price points. The non-pro machines should focus on thinness and battery life while the Pro machines should focus less on thinness, more on power and still strive for max battery life. Hopefully they're able to keep the existing 13" + 15" sizes and are just able to reduce the bezels enough to fit the extra inches in. Keeping the existing size and a reduction of weight would make a 14" machine perfect in my opinion.

Also, not that it's worth discussing because Apple is just going to do whatever they want not what makes the most sense, but I disagree with your 128SSD in the 14'' model. I can see them keeping around the 128 in the 12'' but not the 14''. I think the 14'' will have 256 standard.

 

[printrenori]

Actually, given today's Air pricing, Apple would probably drop a base 12" to 4GB RAM to meet a $999 price point; I'm hoping Apple gets a little more generous though. As far as the dGPU in a (proposed) 14" Pro: an extra $500 gets you an upgraded CPU, a dGPU, and an additional 128GB of storage on the 15" Pro. Again, I'm hoping Apple is a little generous and starts a base 14" Pro at the equivalent current 13" price, but throws in the dGPU. But hey, it's just speculating.

That seems even less likely today, given that Apple just made 8GB the standard amount of RAM for the $999 MacBook Air.

 

[toddzrx]

That seems even less likely today, given that Apple just made 8GB the standard amount of RAM for the $999 MacBook Air.

Very true! This is good news, in that 8GB minimum should be the standard across the board. Given today's "update" of the Air, I would imagine we'll see the 11" Air discontinued soon with the 13" hanging on as is for another year.