Who actually is the 12" MacBook for?

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

Well here is my story:

Bought the fastest i7 imac back in 2017. 27" 1TB ssd, popped in 40 gigs of ram and to this day it is so fast for me I just saw wow, what a computer! I love this thing!

(hi EugW, we talked in the iMac thread way back when I appreciated all your advice.)

So jump to now.

After selling my macbook pro 2014 though i knew i needed some mobility about 1% of the time. (But that 1% is important for my line of work)

So I started looking at MacBook Air. New! Kinda big for me. Fan? Boo. Screen, well i will wait till I see one in person. But the fact that it is not THAT much smaller then a MacBook pro 13" and the weight is close to the MacBook pro 13" I thought. what do I need from this?

The answer, to be able to Xcode and terminal into things in emergencies when I am away from my desktop.

I started to look at the Macbook 12" I saw one in person and thought it was impossibly thin and light. But how fast is it? thanks to EugW and others it seems the answer is -fast enough for my needs-.

again, this is like a satellite computer. just so I can have something mobile when I take a trip away from home base.

I can't believe I am thinking about buy a 2017 mac in 2019 (I will buy in Jan) but OMG that weight and size is perfect for me.

So I wait. Will order after I get thru the holidays. (99% sure anyway)

the only downer is that there is only 1 USBC which means I will need to keep it charged up since my Luna Display adapter will be in there a lot of the time hooked up to my ipad pro 12.9

(Luna does not work with a pass thru they say)

Oh well. 8-10hrs of battery life in it, (so 6-8 hours real world) will have to be enough or I just unplug the luna.


thanks all for this thread.

Forgot to mention:

Macbook
i7
16 gigs ram
512 SSD

I will be using it as testing machine to so I can slice up that 512 into different macos parts.

Totally agree buddy - the 12" MacBook is revolutionary. I use it 24/7 365 for my marketing / sports athlete business. I gives me the freedom to work anywhere in the world with a WiFi connection - 5G WiFi even better 8 months of the year, I can travel the world Bali, South Africa - Cape Town, Barcelona, Paris, Berlin, Prague, Amsterdam, Madrid, Amalfi Coast - all this year - travelling AND earning a living thanks to my MacBook. To me, that is the way work should be in 2018. 10 years ago, I was chained to a damn 9 to 5 office Windows computer surrounded by people that I really didn't want to spend any time with all because 'that was the norm' in business. The iPhone and MacBook and social media CHANGED that landscape and there's thousands more people like me who are doing this
Just imagine what the creative business landscape might be like in 10 years time Hopefully i'll be running an organic superfood juice bar / espresso bar on some beach somewhere

Since living this lifestyle, I was in London last week - a city that I worked in a few years ago and my gosh, I hated every second that I was there last week. I guess we all grow up and can see through things but damn, London looked bleak in the rain, Brexity with no smiles. I'm glad that's not in my life anymore and I've vowed never to return. It seemed westernised with capitalism, grey buildings and material vulgarity for the 1%. After seeing other places throughout the world, your eyes, ears and senses are truly open!

 

[Mike Boreham]

the only downer is that there is only 1 USBC which means I will need to keep it charged up since my Luna Display adapter will be in there a lot of the time hooked up to my ipad pro 12.9

(Luna does not work with a pass thru they say)

Couldn't you use a powered pass through USB-C hub and connect the Luna to the hub.
Any of the cheap ones should do it, but if not the more expensive and much more capable Caldigit or OWC ones should. You may be limited to USB2 while the MB is driving a monitor.

 

[macsplusmacs]

Couldn't you use a powered pass through USB-C hub and connect the Luna to the hub.
Any of the cheap ones should do it, but if not the more expensive and much more capable Caldigit or OWC ones should. You may be limited to USB2 while the MB is driving a monitor.

Sadly no.

https://lunadisplay.com/blogs/news/adapters-and-docks

 

[Mike Boreham]

Sadly no.

https://lunadisplay.com/blogs/news/adapters-and-docks

I wonder if the other type of Luna Display adapter (ie the Mini DisplayPort version, I assume you have the USB-C version) would work plugged into the Mini DisplayPort on the CalDigit Docking station?

I don't imagine this is the kind of adapter situation the Luna blanket answer is addressing, and may not be a very attractive solution anyway as it requires the large and expensive wall powered Caldigit and a new Luna adapter. It would not be a portable option, and for desktop-only use you might as well get a normal display. I assume the attraction of the Luna is that it enables you to plug an iPad directly into an MB or MBP without wall power, and is very small.

 

[Neodym]

Sadly no.

https://lunadisplay.com/blogs/news/adapters-and-docks

What about switching to Duet Display?

 

[Dominus Mortem]

I don't think anyone has gotten to the core of who it's for, recently anyway. Some of the past posts were good though. I have a fresh perspective since I just decided between it and a 13" pro. I went for the 13", but only after a lot of back and forth and it was still a fairly difficult decision.

The 12" MB for people:

1. Who think a pound makes a difference. I mean really feel it matters. They're like Ferrari mechanics who spend weeks figuring out how to lose a kilogram from the steering wheel so it'll go faster without need more HP.

2. Who can't afford to give up much space in their bags. A lady with a small purse maybe, or a lawyer with an already full briefcase, etc.

3. Who need the smallest usable form factor for where they plan to place it: like airplane trays. I've heard people say for Starbucks, but I could take a 27" iMac into Starbucks and use it if I were crazy, so that doesn't make sense. But on public transportation space is tight and that makes sense.

4. Who don't need insanely fast graphics cards. Gamers stay away. Movie editors are probably not picking this as their first choice. Sure, it'll work, but there are better options.

5. Who use 16gb or ram or less.

6. Who have narrow laps. That thing falls too far between my legs and flops around too much when I type on it.

7.Who are OK with the screen size. It's quite usable, but it's a compromise even compared to the 13" pro.

8.Who hate fans. I rarely get the fans going on any of my computers so I'm not in this camp.

Anyone deciding between the new Air, MB 13" or the rMB need to base their decision mainly on where it will be used and how tight the accommodations are for it. I think if one can accommodate a slightly larger computer, the MB 13" is a better computer with the brighter, bigger screen, and a keyboard that feels ever slightly less jarring on the hands. The MB 13" has better case hinges and can take more ram and larger HD. In my considered opinion, the extra pound of weight is next to nothing. Your clothes weigh several pounds. The difference between the 12" and the 13" is probably less than one of your shoes weighs.

 

[macsplusmacs]

What about switching to Duet Display?

I have used it in the past. not as fast, but not their fault. just a couple of weeks ago, in newest MacOS, Apple has put in direct hooks and they claim its much faster.

I would be amazed if it were as fast as Luna though, but if its close that is another option, yes. thx.

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

I don't think anyone has gotten to the core of who it's for, recently anyway. Some of the past posts were good though. I have a fresh perspective since I just decided between it and a 13" pro. I went for the 13", but only after a lot of back and forth and it was still a fairly difficult decision.

The 12" MB for people:

1. Who think a pound makes a difference. I mean really feel it matters. They're like Ferrari mechanics who spend weeks figuring out how to lose a kilogram from the steering wheel so it'll go faster without need more HP.

2. Who can't afford to give up much space in their bags. A lady with a small purse maybe, or a lawyer with an already full briefcase, etc.

3. Who need the smallest usable form factor for where they plan to place it: like airplane trays. I've heard people say for Starbucks, but I could take a 27" iMac into Starbucks and use it if I were crazy, so that doesn't make sense. But on public transportation space is tight and that makes sense.

4. Who don't need insanely fast graphics cards. Gamers stay away. Movie editors are probably not picking this as their first choice. Sure, it'll work, but there are better options.

5. Who use 16gb or ram or less.

6. Who have narrow laps. That thing falls too far between my legs and flops around too much when I type on it.

7.Who are OK with the screen size. It's quite usable, but it's a compromise even compared to the 13" pro.

8.Who hate fans. I rarely get the fans going on any of my computers so I'm not in this camp.

Anyone deciding between the new Air, MB 13" or the rMB need to base their decision mainly on where it will be used and how tight the accommodations are for it. I think if one can accommodate a slightly larger computer, the MB 13" is a better computer with the brighter, bigger screen, and a keyboard that feels ever slightly less jarring on the hands. The MB 13" has better case hinges and can take more ram and larger HD. In my considered opinion, the extra pound of weight is next to nothing. Your clothes weigh several pounds. The difference between the 12" and the 13" is probably less than one of your shoes weighs.

For me, it's the one that you love the minute you walk into a store. Surely you've had that whether it's a surfboard or new road bike or car - there's no that grabs your heart and the 12" MacBook simply does that. Whilst I'd like the MacBook Pro TB next for my business, the dull grey just doesn't do it for me like my rose gold MacBook does. In fact, walking into the beautiful Covent Garden store last week, I walked past all of the Macs and again smiled when I saw the new gold MacBook 12" - damn that lil thing is chic and elegant.

I really don't feel that you need to justify why with all of your reasons - it's simply a case of being attracted to the one. Compare to when you enter a room full of elegant, beautiful, tall, educated ladies - there'll be one that you are immediately drawn to. You don't have to justify why that is and surely it's the case when choosing anything in life - the heart and soul simply tell you Never follow you head in life as your heart will always take over!

Also why buy the Air when it's not much cheaper than the MBKP and isn't as powerful and practically looks like the MBKP but with a cheaper non P3 screen and non of the chic size of the 12". To me, the Air simply does not fit and should never have been released. It was a play safe with a name but should of been put to rest. Sorry, I hated the Air and I really dislike this new one.

 

[Clix Pix]

Bodybuilder Paul wrote:
For me, it's the one that you love the minute you walk into a store.

This is it in a nutshell -- at least it is for me! On a chilly day back in early February of 2008 I walked into the local Apple store "just to look at" the newly-arrived revolutionary fit-in-an-envelope first-generation MacBook Air...... One look, I reached out and picked up the display model, hefted her and marveled (so THIN! So LIGHT!).....and unable to help myself, just hugged her. That was that! (Unfortunately due to bad weather conditions in China at that time the store did not have actual inventory to sell until a few days later but when they did I was there ready to claim and bring home an MBA of my own....

My reaction to the first-generation iPad in 2010 was very much the same. We'd been waiting for hours outside the store and finally they let us in.....the new iPads were nicely displayed on a few tables. I walked over to a table, stared at the new device for a minute and as I was already reaching out to pick it up, squealed, "it's so BEAUTIFUL!" . Happily, that day I was able to immediately buy and take home my first iPad.....

My feelings toward the 12" MacBook upon first sight were also very much the same, although I didn't buy one at launch in 2015; waited until 2016 and then replaced that one with the one I currently have now, the 2017 model.

In each situation, I had a specific use-case for the item and could predict how it was going to fit into my life and lifestyle, and the same holds true today when I purchase a new Apple computer or device. Some Apple products I don't need and would never use or wouldn't use that often, so they are pretty much ignored when I walk into an Apple store. Other items are tempting but sometimes just not tempting enough if I cannot truly justify a solid reason for a purchase. The items I know I need and want take first priority, and purchase decisions are based not only on anticipated practical use of the product but how much I really like or love it as well....

 

[Dominus Mortem]

For me, it's the one that you love the minute you walk into a store.

I really don't feel that you need to justify why with all of your reasons - it's simply a case of being attracted to the one.

It is easy for those who simply fall for a particular one and do not require more information for their decision. I'm writing from the perspective of someone who likes more than one model and has had trouble deciding which to spend the $$$ on. In my case I absolutely must justify my choice to myself because I need to know which one will "stick" with me after I buy it. Having the pro/con list helped me in making my decision. I was hopelessly conflicted without it and other information.

I ended up with the 15" 2018 (exclusively to use at home) and the 13" pro Non-TB for all outside the house usage. I really dig the little 13" pro. At home it seems pretty small, like an ultra portable. Have you noticed this too? They seem larger in the store than they do at home? My 15" seems medium sized in my lap at home whereas at the store it looked gigantic to me.

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

Bodybuilder Paul wrote:
For me, it's the one that you love the minute you walk into a store.

This is it in a nutshell -- at least it is for me! On a chilly day back in early February of 2008 I walked into the local Apple store "just to look at" the newly-arrived revolutionary fit-in-an-envelope first-generation MacBook Air...... One look, I reached out and picked up the display model, hefted her and marveled (so THIN! So LIGHT!).....and unable to help myself, just hugged her. That was that! (Unfortunately due to bad weather conditions in China at that time the store did not have actual inventory to sell until a few days later but when they did I was there ready to claim and bring home an MBA of my own....

My reaction to the first-generation iPad in 2010 was very much the same. We'd been waiting for hours outside the store and finally they let us in.....the new iPads were nicely displayed on a few tables. I walked over to a table, stared at the new device for a minute and as I was already reaching out to pick it up, squealed, "it's so BEAUTIFUL!" . Happily, that day I was able to immediately buy and take home my first iPad.....

My feelings toward the 12" MacBook upon first sight were also very much the same, although I didn't buy one at launch in 2015; waited until 2016 and then replaced that one with the one I currently have now, the 2017 model.

In each situation, I had a specific use-case for the item and could predict how it was going to fit into my life and lifestyle, and the same holds true today when I purchase a new Apple computer or device. Some Apple products I don't need and would never use or wouldn't use that often, so they are pretty much ignored when I walk into an Apple store. Other items are tempting but sometimes just not tempting enough if I cannot truly justify a solid reason for a purchase. The items I know I need and want take first priority, and purchase decisions are based not only on anticipated practical use of the product but how much I really like or love it as well....

I love your story Clix Pix I was the same when I bought my first white unibody MacBook. I'd go and look at it and imagine building my iTunes library on it, making books in iPhoto of my snowboarding holiday with my friends and keeping everything on it I'd just finished at university an it took my a while to land my first job and boy, I had to save and give up everything for a few months to able to buy that MacBook I remember whilst at art school loving the G4 Cube design too and before that, the translucent iMac which I wrote my dissertation on - and the damn hard drive broke half way through a 14,000 word thesis! I've never used a desktop since

 

[Dave245]

Hey Dave, Best of luck and do keep us all informed with your journey

Hey Paul, just to update you after a couple of months, i'm moving back to a Mac and iPad, The Surface Pro 6 will be sold or passed down to a family member at some point. While i don't hate the Surface Pro 6, it's just not as polished and as refined as my iPad Pro and Mac, the tablet experience is no where near as good as the iPad and i just do not get along with Windows!

I wanted to try the 2in1 experience, now that i have i fully understand why Apple haven't made one, there are simply too many compromises.

My current plan is to buy the new iPad Pro 12.9", pass down (to my mum who wants a bigger screen from her Air 2) the new 2017 version i got from Apple as a replacement for the defective one i had. After i either pass down or sell on the Surface Pro i will then buy a new Mac

It turns out you were right in your previous message about Windows and the Surface i just had to try it out for myself, now i know!

 

[Neodym]

My current plan is to buy the new iPad Pro 12.9"

Beware of the weight! I recently switched from an Air 2 to a 12.9" 2nd gen. While I really like the bigger screen real estate, even after several weeks I am still not accustomed to the added weight. Planning to go back to the next-smaller size in autumn.

3rd gen 12.9" may show less issues due to the weight being concentrated in a smaller form. Still I'd keep a close eye on the weight issue.

 

[Dave245]

Beware of the weight! I recently switched from an Air 2 to a 12.9" 2nd gen. While I really like the bigger screen real estate, even after several weeks I am still not accustomed to the added weight. Planning to go back to the next-smaller size in autumn.

3rd gen 12.9" may show less issues due to the weight being concentrated in a smaller form. Still I'd keep a close eye on the weight issue.

I’m currently using the 2017 iPad Pro 12.9” it’s my mum who will be getting that if I upgrade to the new 2018 iPad Pro. It’s a big upgrade so I’m hoping it’s worth it.

 

[waquzy]

While i don't hate the Surface Pro 6, it's just not as polished and as refined as my iPad Pro and Mac, the tablet experience is no where near as good as the iPad and i just do not get along with Windows!

Of course it ain't, that's what Apple has been all about all these years.

 

[Dave245]

Of course it ain't, that's what Apple has been all about all these years.

Yea but I had to try it.

 

[Clix Pix]

Welcome back to the Fold, Dave!!! We KNEW you'd be back "home" with us one of these days......

 

[Dave245]

Welcome back to the Fold, Dave!!! We KNEW you'd be back "home" with us one of these days......

Thank you was it really that obvious

 

[macintoshmac]

Thank you was it really that obvious

Once a Mac, always a Mac sorta thing. It is what they have come to rely on, too much for comfort lately. They better get their quality in order soon.

 

[Dave245]

Once a Mac, always a Mac sorta thing. It is what they have come to rely on, too much for comfort lately. They better get their quality in order soon.

Yea I still think MacOS is miles better than Windows, I think the Mac needs some love tho, we haven’t had updates for the iMac in a while! I also think they need to sort out the keyboard issues. But yea even with this going on I still think Apple is better

 

[SteveJUAE]

Yea I still think MacOS is miles better than Windows, I think the Mac needs some love tho, we haven’t had updates for the iMac in a while! I also think they need to sort out the keyboard issues. But yea even with this going on I still think Apple is better

Dave as we know from the other threads that your dabble with Surface products was almost exclusively from a mobile OS perspective to point you was almost unaware of the wealth of software available like MacOS or W10 outside of mobile app stores

Had you been an equal virgin to MacOS as you were to W10 coming from a IOS your perspective and findings would of been similar to the point that MS Office was not in the MAC store (well until very recently)

There is no doubt that IPP fits your needs as you like the few relatively inexpensive yet intuitive drawing apps and only dabble with a few mainstream programmes on occasion

You simply do not require the power of flexibility offered by 2 in 1 like the Surface range and I suspect other than than comfort feeling of just in case, you could almost do away with MacOS too.

I really liked my svelte rMB that my eldest now has and my wife's 2015 1.1 has been trouble free but I put that down to more she runs it exclusively as a W10 via bootcamp.

I'm not sure what to replace her rMB with as she has little requirement for tablets especially as they mainly replicate her phone and she's content with her current arrangement and no excessive duplication that a typical Mobile OS tablet brings

Personally for my very limited freehand skills I perceive no benefit of the IPP marginally or arguably better pen vs all it's other weakness compared to full programmes available on a full OS platforms and not the mainly dumb down IOS equivalents.

I think you should still consider a rMB to compliment your new to be IPP as the portability and so extra usage you gain from this means the rMB is more likely to be used than eg just an IMac or mini sitting in the corner of the room

 

[nph]

My two cents are I am planning to replace my iPad with a Macbook instead. I seldom use specific apps for the iPad and I have them on my iPhone as well. Now I can use my macbook for travel and in bed reading etc etc
To me the macbook combines the best of two worlds and I can consume info just like the iPad but also use it like a Mac when I need to. Now will Apple update it in 2019 or will it continue to linger and I can pick one up on sale? If they update it and make it really attractive without raising the price it would be a no brainier. Unfortunately I think then it might compete too much with the Air.

 

[EugW]

My two cents are I am planning to replace my iPad with a Macbook instead. I seldom use specific apps for the iPad and I have them on my iPhone as well. Now I can use my macbook for travel and in bed reading etc etc
To me the macbook combines the best of two worlds and I can consume info just like the iPad but also use it like a Mac when I need to. Now will Apple update it in 2019 or will it continue to linger and I can pick one up on sale? If they update it and make it really attractive without raising the price it would be a no brainier. Unfortunately I think then it might compete too much with the Air.

I most agree but one thing that irritates me about using the MacBook is that you can't download Netflix episodes for watching on the road in macOS. Has to be iOS.

 

[SteveJUAE]

I most agree but one thing that irritates me about using the MacBook is that you can't download Netflix episodes for watching on the road in macOS. Has to be iOS.

That's a shame, you can on W10 however can you not DL on your IPhone/Android and mirror to your rMB as a work around

 

[waquzy]

Yea I still think MacOS is miles better than Windows

Definitely, I have both machines, while I much prefer the macOS, occasionally I have to use my windows laptop. For an instance, I had to format an usb flash for my Xbox, but I couldn’t select the required format on my MacBook(as it is not listed). Now there is a way to do this, however it requires a third party program etc. Instead I just plugged it in to my windows laptop and I reformatted the drive in matter of seconds.