Who actually is the 12" MacBook for?

[boltjames]

What i mean is if i go to the Apple store buy one and then a week later Apple silently update them it will be a little annoying, just like it would for anyone. I'm not saying they will add a redesign or anything in fact rumours are saying that Apple intend to simply add a processor update and a 16GB Ram option. I'm going to the Apple store next month and will take a look along with the 13" MacBook Pro Touch Bar and make a decision then.

Gotcha. In late 2015 there were dozens of people who wanted to buy a RMB in this forum and were talked into waiting for this mythical Skylake update which eventually occurred later than expected and didn't change the performance much or ultimately influence the purchase decision for anyone, just became a giant waiting game for no real reward. Just trying to help potential buyers from making that same mistake again.

BJ

 

[Dave245]

Gotcha. In late 2015 there were dozens of people who wanted to buy a RMB in this forum and were talked into waiting for this mythical Skylake update which eventually occurred later than expected and didn't change the performance much or ultimately influence the purchase decision for anyone, just became a giant waiting game for no real reward. Just trying to help potential buyers from making that same mistake again.

BJ

Yea I can see where your coming from, I think what has me thinking about waiting is the 16GB rumour which is by the very reliable Ming-Chi-Kuo so it gives more credit than by some random site, also since I'm not going to the Apple Store until April (because I don't live close to one) and they updated them last April I think it's logical to wait until April and see if there are any silent updates.

 

[- rob -]

Too many people think they can only own one computer in their lives and it has to be a swiss army knife that's as thin as an iPad and as powerful as a MacBook Pro so they project that desire on the 12" and it's not what it's about nor is it possible.

Except I feel like we almost had this in the MBA 11". The early-2015 is competitive with the 2016 MB and that product is a cheap swiss army knife.

 

[Zazoh]

One of the main reasons I didn't spring for the Pro and picked up the 12" rMB instead.

SAME.

 

[boltjames]

Except I feel like we almost had this in the MBA 11". The early-2015 is competitive with the 2016 MB and that product is a cheap swiss army knife.

So between my wife and my son we have two 2015 MBA's in the house, and while nice machines they are large and heavy, they are desktop replacements more than a portable wonder like the 12" MB.

I can see the win in a larger screen- if Apple ever came out with a 13" or 14" MB with no sacrifice to weight/thinness I'd be the first in line to upgrade. But the rest, I just don't need it. I don't need more processing horsepower, I don't need more ports, I don't need a better cam, the 12" MB is just perfect for my mobile lifestyle, but bigger screen is welcome.

Again, my use case may be a bit unique. I have a powerful notebook at work, a powerful notebook at home, my 12" RMB is used about 120 days a year when I travel to Asia, Europe, USA, Caribbean, commute by train to Manhattan, board meetings, etc. It sits in a drawer 240 days a year. It's my situational notebook, no different than using the SUV every day and whipping out the convertible roadster on the weekends.

BJ

 

[Dave245]

Update: having had chance to test out the 12" MacBook and the 13" MacBook Pro and also read some reviews and different thoughts i have to say that i really like the 13" MacBook Pro with Touch Bar. I feel like the Touch Bar is very useful and the time I've had with it feels like it will get even better when developers put in support for even more apps.

I've also read these reviews which have been very helpful, what do you guys think? for those that own the 12" MacBook are you bothered about the touch bar or not? it's a very interesting feature, before trying it out i thought it would just be a gimmick that wouldn't add anything.

https://televisionmagnets.wordpress...th-touch-bar-hands-on/?frame-nonce=99c4b3a45e

http://www.macworld.com/article/313...-touch-bar-is-the-touchscreen-done-right.html

Note: I haven't brought either machine yet, i just managed to have some time on the 13" MacBook Pro and a quick look at the 12" MacBook.

 

[c0ppo]

I have owned 15" MBP 2016. Returned it due to issues, and decided to wait for an upgrade. I thought TB is just a gimmick as well. After using it, I found it to be annoying gimmick

I have 12" MB 2016 (m5), and it is awesome little laptop. Planning on keeping it until they add TB3 to MB. But need a stronger laptop as well, and I found TB to be so much annoying that I live in a dream house since then and hoping that apple releases 15" MBP without dedicated GPU and without TB.

Once can dream...

 

[C64]

Note: I haven't brought either machine yet, i just managed to have some time on the 13" MacBook Pro and a quick look at the 12" MacBook.

I returned a 13" MBP 2016 with TB. Don't own a 12" yet, but no other options left at this point. I thought the MBP was too heavy and found after about a week that I would never be using the TB in any way. I'm sure it's useful in certain applications and situations, but I rely heavily on keyboard shortcuts and customization, and it turned out that the TB just didn't fit in with the way I work. It was more of an annoyance to me as well than something useful.

I also realized that the days of always having to buy the fastest computer so it lasts doesn't really apply anymore for many people, including me. Apart from work needed for certain professions, you don't need a top-of-the-line machine for most things. For the few times I might use an app that actually requires more CPU than the MB has I'm happy to wait a few minutes longer, if that means that the rest of the time I'm working with something really small and light.

It all comes down to realizing how you work and what you will be using it for, and taking that into consideration. Using both as much as you need beforehand to make an informed decision is smart as well. Both are great machines and despite the TB being terrible for me, I do think it's great for some people and will get better over time if support from third-party developers increases.

 

[- rob -]

I returned a 13" MBP 2016 with TB. Don't own a 12" yet, but no other options left at this point. I thought the MBP was too heavy and found after about a week that I would never be using the TB in any way

I also returned the 13" tbMBP after a month of issues. Mostly battery. But TB was not really useful. I also use key combos. I tried to get used to not having an escape key but couldn't.

I also feel like 12" is my last choice now that 11" MBA is EOL.

I feel like it is just bad timing / awkward times because Intel basically.

 

[ascender]

I've gone from a 13" MBP with TouchBar to a 12" rMB. I don't miss the TouchBar as such, but for what its worth, i don't think its a gimmick - its got a lot of potential and depending how you use your Mac it might me a good time saver in certain programmes. I do miss TouchID although that was frustratingly under-used in the current OS. I was looking at buying a big monitor to go with it and using it in clamshell mode which seemed like a bit of a waste, so I sold it and picked up a second hand rMB and a refurbed iMac.

Previously I had an 11" MBA for 3 years and I'd obviously underestimated how much I liked having an ultra portable laptop. Like others have said, computing has changed a lot in the last while and the previous arms race scenario of more memory and higher clock speeds is kind of irrelevant unless you're a coder or video editor who absolutely needs lots of cores and high performance.

I bet for the majority of users any current Mac with an SSD and 8GB will last for years. And this is coming from someone who had to have the fastest of everything with the most RAM etc.

Battery-life wise the rMB also seems to be on a different planet compared to any of the new MBPs but I guess that's to be expected given its design. The new 13" MBP is a lovely machine, so go have a look at them in the Store, have a play and see what you think.

I wouldn't be put off by buying a rMB now in case it gets updated soon though - like other Apple products, I don't think the new one will be revolutionary and the current one should still last for years. I totally get why people want to wait for the next iteration of something, but i've been there posting in "next version" threads from the start, for months and sometimes years when I could have just bought something and been actually using it for months and years instead of waiting and speculating.

 

[Dave245]

I've gone from a 13" MBP with TouchBar to a 12" rMB. I don't miss the TouchBar as such, but for what its worth, i don't think its a gimmick - its got a lot of potential and depending how you use your Mac it might me a good time saver in certain programmes. I do miss TouchID although that was frustratingly under-used in the current OS. I was looking at buying a big monitor to go with it and using it in clamshell mode which seemed like a bit of a waste, so I sold it and picked up a second hand rMB and a refurbed iMac.

Previously I had an 11" MBA for 3 years and I'd obviously underestimated how much I liked having an ultra portable laptop. Like others have said, computing has changed a lot in the last while and the previous arms race scenario of more memory and higher clock speeds is kind of irrelevant unless you're a coder or video editor who absolutely needs lots of cores and high performance.

I bet for the majority of users any current Mac with an SSD and 8GB will last for years. And this is coming from someone who had to have the fastest of everything with the most RAM etc.

Battery-life wise the rMB also seems to be on a different planet compared to any of the new MBPs but I guess that's to be expected given its design. The new 13" MBP is a lovely machine, so go have a look at them in the Store, have a play and see what you think.

I wouldn't be put off by buying a rMB now in case it gets updated soon though - like other Apple products, I don't think the new one will be revolutionary and the current one should still last for years. I totally get why people want to wait for the next iteration of something, but i've been there posting in "next version" threads from the start, for months and sometimes years when I could have just bought something and been actually using it for months and years instead of waiting and speculating.

Yea i agree i think there is a lot of potential and i will be watching WWDC to see if they announce any new features or anything that evolves the Touch Bar forward within their next MacOS software. From what i managed to try out with the 13" MacBook Pro with Touch Bar i was impressed with how they have managed to string the overall footprint compared to previous generations of the MacBook Pro. I tested out things like Pages (since I'm a writer and love Pages over Word) Safari and so on, the fact that the Touch Bar altered to suit the app was impressive, for example when i opened up Pages i had the option to open a new document with a single tap, i could also change the font, make it bold underline txt change colour and so on, all without needing to touch the track pad. I think Apple are in it for the long hall with the Touch Bar.

If i pick up the MacBook Pro with Touch Bar i'm thinking of sticking with the 8GB and the entry level processor, from what i've read 16GB would be over kill for my needs and apparently Apple's MacOS manages RAM well. I'm not jumping into it straight away i will do my research first. When i buy a Mac i like to keep them for years, example i still have my 2011 MacBook Pro and 2012 iMac, it's part of what i love about Apple products they last for years.

 

[DaMax85]

Update: having had chance to test out the 12" MacBook and the 13" MacBook Pro and also read some reviews and different thoughts i have to say that i really like the 13" MacBook Pro with Touch Bar. I feel like the Touch Bar is very useful and the time I've had with it feels like it will get even better when developers put in support for even more apps.

I've also read these reviews which have been very helpful, what do you guys think? for those that own the 12" MacBook are you bothered about the touch bar or not? it's a very interesting feature, before trying it out i thought it would just be a gimmick that wouldn't add anything.

https://televisionmagnets.wordpress...th-touch-bar-hands-on/?frame-nonce=99c4b3a45e

http://www.macworld.com/article/313...-touch-bar-is-the-touchscreen-done-right.html

Note: I haven't brought either machine yet, i just managed to have some time on the 13" MacBook Pro and a quick look at the 12" MacBook.

I think the new MBP's w/ TB are cool, but I just couldn't justify the extra cost. I bought my 12" rMB back in December and with the open-box discount from Best Buy (paid $1000) it was literally an $800 difference.

 

[Dave245]

I think the new MBP's w/ TB are cool, but I just couldn't justify the extra cost. I bought my 12" rMB back in December and with the open-box discount from Best Buy (paid $1000) it was literally an $800 difference.

Yea that is a big difference, in the U.K. I think the difference is around £300 - £400 between the 12" MacBook and the entry level 13" Pro with Touch Bar. I'm very interested to see how Apple move forward with the Touch Bar I think it will get better and better over time.

 

[ascender]

The new MBPs are obviously more powerful as well though with bigger screens. I think that's the main reasons why you'd buy a MBP over a Macbook although the Macbook is insanely light to carry in a rucksack compared with even the base MBP model.

The TB and TouchID are nice, but they're not imo, must-have features.

 

[BeatCrazy]

I have had the 2016 rMB for about 1 year, and the 13" non-TB MBP for a couple of months.

The biggest difference is the weight! 2lbs vs. 3lbs is a big difference if you will often use this on your lap. I just use simple programs like Microsoft products and browsers. For these scenarios, the performance seems functionally the same. If you're going to do video editing, obviously the Pro is the better choice, but the 12" is still usable.

 

[wjw0111]

Those who already own a 12" MacBook or even a 13" MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, feel free to let me know your experiences

I'm loving it, but I agree with other posters that say you should pick one up and try it, see how it works for you and return if it doesn't work out. No hassles at all with that. I especially like that even if you buy refurb online (I always do), you can still just walk into your local Apple Store and they'll process the refund on the spot.

I had bought the function-key version of the new MBP. I tried both the MB and MBP in-store and thought I would have a big problem with the MB keyboard, so went MBP. After 2 weeks I found the MBP was just too heavy. I'm coming off an 11" Air, so the 13" MBP just seemed big and heavy. Returned it and got a 2016 MB, and I love this machine. 2 pounds, thin, great performance for day-to-day usage (I'm not a programmer, don't edit video, etc...), and I got used to the keyboard really quick.

I was seriously considering the big iPad Pro, but at the end of the day I'm just not ready to give up macOS for iOS on my daily driver. I love iOS on my phone, and think it's fine on my iPad mini, but just couldn't see myself using it as my "computer".

 

[Picapau21]

I have had the 2016 rMB for about 1 year, and the 13" non-TB MBP for a couple of months.

The biggest difference is the weight! 2lbs vs. 3lbs is a big difference if you will often use this on your lap. I just use simple programs like Microsoft products and browsers. For these scenarios, the performance seems functionally the same. If you're going to do video editing, obviously the Pro is the better choice, but the 12" is still usable.

I was surprised by the difference in weight being quite noticeable. The overall foot print of the two machines is relatively similar (pic attached).

Had my rMB for the past year as well. Debating upgrading when the next tbMB upgrade cycle happens.

 

[spriter]

I was seriously considering the big iPad Pro, but at the end of the day I'm just not ready to give up macOS for iOS on my daily driver. I love iOS on my phone, and think it's fine on my iPad mini, but just couldn't see myself using it as my "computer".

This is pretty much how I found it.

I have the Pro 12.9, mainly for my child's education, for which it's fantastic. Range of edu apps, aiding writing with the Pencil, and learning to type and getting used to keyboards. It's a fantastic resource for that purpose. Plus it's great around the house for media and browsing as well as a nice to travel with for similar uses.

I tried to use it for work purposes (MS Office mainly) but couldn't find the efficiency I was used to on a laptop - even with it jailbroken with BTmouse and keyboard to help speed things up.

In the end, I was trying to force fit my needs to it rather than use a more suitable device. Step forward the rMB and it's perfect. Lighter than the 12.9 Pro + Smart Keyboard and way more suited to MS Office and file management.

Much like the original Air design that lasted many years, I see the rMB form factor doing the same. Sure they will speed bump it each year and maybe add an extra port somewhere down the line. But as an ultra portable I find my 2016 m5 has more than enough power for everyday applications. That it's silent and can be charged with a battery pack in a pinch makes it all the better. And yes it's also nice to use around the house due to the lack of size and weight.

I've found its not either iPP (iOS) or rMB (OSX) but both.

 

[Dave245]

I've found that the iPad Pro works great alongside a Mac, the iPad Pro is great for drawing and taking notes in your own hand writing with the Apple Pencil. The MacOS is a lot better for more serious work. I do think that the Touch Bar is a great addition to the MacBook Pro and i personally hope they add it to future Mac's like the iMac keyboard and maybe the 12" MacBook, having had hands on with it i do feel it's useful depending on what you are doing.

 

[ascender]

I also tried switching my laptop for a 12.9" iPad Pro, but I had the exact same experience - I was having to make too many compromises in my workflow. Its close, but not quite there yet as a laptop replacement for me.

 

[Eggtastic]

I have had the 2016 rMB for about 1 year, and the 13" non-TB MBP for a couple of months.

The biggest difference is the weight! 2lbs vs. 3lbs is a big difference if you will often use this on your lap. I just use simple programs like Microsoft products and browsers. For these scenarios, the performance seems functionally the same. If you're going to do video editing, obviously the Pro is the better choice, but the 12" is still usable.

So, do you have use for both? Does one get used more than the other?

I was holding off on buying the rMB because I was waiting for the MBP update and was pissed about the price point. I couldn't justify spending the extra money for the power I wouldn't use. Plus I enjoyed the rMB for factor. The touch bar, smaller bezels, and larger screen did appeal to me but went withe the 2016 rMB m5 refurb and saved some money in the process.

 

[Smeaton1724]

Except I feel like we almost had this in the MBA 11". The early-2015 is competitive with the 2016 MB and that product is a cheap swiss army knife.

We did have that, it was fantastic, small, has ports, power, great battery life and reliability but a lot of people discounted it because of the Huge Bezels, Poor Screen Resolution and the Aspect ratio is a pain to work on. It is a laptop basically to connect to an external monitor. The people just wanted that machine tweaking slightly design wise to have a decent screen, thats it, charge us £100 more, even £150 as a BTO option people would have paid it. Unfortunately Apple killed it and made the Macbook 12, went thinner, lowered the power, removed the ports and introduced the world to dongles.

 

[BeatCrazy]

So, do you have use for both? Does one get used more than the other?

I was holding off on buying the rMB because I was waiting for the MBP update and was pissed about the price point. I couldn't justify spending the extra money for the power I wouldn't use. Plus I enjoyed the rMB for factor. The touch bar, smaller bezels, and larger screen did appeal to me but went withe the 2016 rMB m5 refurb and saved some money in the process.

The non-TB MBP is my work computer, the 12" MB is for personal, light-duty use at home. By default, the MBP gets used more because of work.

Using both, (and this might sound crazy), but the bigger touch pad of the MBP is almost too big! Sometimes I have to move my finger 4" or more while dragging/dropping. The 12" MB touch pad seems more proportional.

 

[spriter]

I was seriously considering the big iPad Pro, but at the end of the day I'm just not ready to give up macOS for iOS on my daily driver. I love iOS on my phone, and think it's fine on my iPad mini, but just couldn't see myself using it as my "computer".

This is pretty much how I found it.

I have the Pro 12.9, mainly for my child's education, for which it's fantastic. Range of edu apps, aiding writing with the Pencil, and learning to type and getting used to keyboards. It's a fantastic resource for that purpose. Plus it's great around the house for media and browsing as well as a nice to travel with for similar uses.

I tried to use it for work purposes (MS Office mainly) but couldn't find the efficiency I was used to on a laptop - even with it jailbroken with BTmouse and keyboard to help speed things up.

In the end, I was trying to force fit my needs to it rather than use a more suitable device. Step forward the rMB and it's perfect. Lighter than the 12.9 Pro + Smart Keyboard and way more suited to MS Office and file management.

Much like the original Air design that lasted many years, I see the rMB form factor doing the same. Sure they will speed bump it each year and maybe add an extra port somewhere down the line. But as an ultra portable I find my 2016 m5 has more than enough power for everyday applications. That it's silent and can be charged with a battery pack in a pinch makes it all the better. And yes it's also nice to use around the house due to the lack of size and weight.

I've found its not either iPP (iOS) or rMB (OSX) but both.

 

[doitdada]

I returned a 13" MBP 2016 with TB. Don't own a 12" yet, but no other options left at this point. I thought the MBP was too heavy and found after about a week that I would never be using the TB in any way. I'm sure it's useful in certain applications and situations, but I rely heavily on keyboard shortcuts and customization, and it turned out that the TB just didn't fit in with the way I work. It was more of an annoyance to me as well than something useful.

I am backed to my 12" after three MBP 15" and a MBP 13", all 2016, they all had the non-responsive black screen error which happens when you unplug the screen in clamshell mode when connected to a external screen. It is a reproducible error and there are posts on this and other forums. There hasn't been any "innovation" from Apple since they released the iMac 5K and the MacBook 12". The Touch Bar was fun to play with for a week, then it just got annoying with the random clicks when using the numbers on the top or you just typed without caring. I never understood how it went through quality control at Apple. Suddenly you are opening and closing tabs, then suddenly you back out of a filled out form etc.etc. It may be good for video editing in FCPX, but heavy video users may want a Mac Pro or at least an iMac and none of them will have a touch bar, and that is confirmed by Schiller.

12" is the only MacBook and Apple product on the market right now that is somewhat up to date and have the quality to deliver. If you are not using peripherals or external screens with 4k@60hz, then a 12" is your computer. 8GB is good enough for light Photoshop use.

This is pretty much how I found it.

I tried to use it for work purposes (MS Office mainly) but couldn't find the efficiency I was used to on a laptop - even with it jailbroken with BTmouse and keyboard to help speed things up.

In the end, I was trying to force fit my needs to it rather than use a more suitable device. Step forward the rMB and it's perfect. Lighter than the 12.9 Pro + Smart Keyboard and way more suited to MS Office and file management.

I have been tempted, but yes, it is a kids toy at the moment and usable as long as you click rather than create. Good for short stints of work and lengthy consumption, but not a proper tool. I use my iPad to idly watch soccer games in the weekends, and to distract the kids when I have to work. Occasionally I run through some light e-mail responses and trivial spreadsheet input on the iPad. My approach to the iPad is experimental at best.