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Who in their right mind would buy a MacBook after today?
- Thread starter Killerbob
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I would. I don’t think it can be emphasized enough how much of a difference it makes carrying around 2lbs, vs 2.75+ lbs. 12” is the perfect size for traveling, couch surfing, general around the house use. While the 13” laptops are still extremely portable, when you compare the size and weight the 12” is just amazing to use. I really hope Apple keeps it around. As for it still using 7th gen cpu and 2nd gen butterfly keyboard, anything you’d use the 12” for the 7th will handle just fine. If you’re focusing on the cpu in the 12”, then you’re looking at its intended use wrong. They stuck a sufficient cpu in it for its intendent use and audience. For those who complain it needs more power, then *IMO* you probably should be buying some with more cpu as your intended usage requires something along the lines of the MBP.
If you’re deciding on which Mac to buy, you have to ask yourself what apps you’ll be running, and what kind of performance you expect. Don’t buy on size and then complain about its lack of performance.
Hopefully the MacBook 12” stays around or at least something similar. The 11” was nice but to have the 16/10 aspect ratio on a small and light laptop is godsend. I primarily use mine for coding and terminal work.
If you’re deciding on which Mac to buy, you have to ask yourself what apps you’ll be running, and what kind of performance you expect. Don’t buy on size and then complain about its lack of performance.
Hopefully the MacBook 12” stays around or at least something similar. The 11” was nice but to have the 16/10 aspect ratio on a small and light laptop is godsend. I primarily use mine for coding and terminal work.
I've been very happily using the MacBook for the last 2.5 years.
It weighs 920 g, and like an iPad, has no fan venting to make noise.
An iPad 12.9 (631g) + Smart Keyboard (401g) weighs 1.3kg. And a MacBook gets you the trackpad and a much better keyboard, and MacOS.
A MacBook Air would probably be a sensible replacement, but the extra weight 1.25 kg and slightly increased size, plus going back to fan noise would feel like a downgrade compared to if Apple just updated the MacBook.
It weighs 920 g, and like an iPad, has no fan venting to make noise.
An iPad 12.9 (631g) + Smart Keyboard (401g) weighs 1.3kg. And a MacBook gets you the trackpad and a much better keyboard, and MacOS.
A MacBook Air would probably be a sensible replacement, but the extra weight 1.25 kg and slightly increased size, plus going back to fan noise would feel like a downgrade compared to if Apple just updated the MacBook.
Still using my 12" early 2015 and largely love it (no fan, truly portable).
If there was just one more USB-C... it would be perfect for me.
Wonder what the future holds for it.
If there was just one more USB-C... it would be perfect for me.
Wonder what the future holds for it.
Having had an MacBook 12 for the last 3 years, I dont see any reason to buy it now that the MBA has been refreshed.
The size difference is just not a significant factor.
The fan does not matter and I have yet to hear it.
Its just as portable as the MacBook.
The extra weight, I concede could be a factor for some.
I have an iPad for couch surfing as most of you do.
I think Macbook may be gone within a year unless it receives a significant refresh.
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You are out of warranty on that device and I would dump it. The gen 1 issues will eventually catch up to you. Gazelle is offering 471 if its in excellent shape. More than Apple.
The size difference is just not a significant factor.
The fan does not matter and I have yet to hear it.
Its just as portable as the MacBook.
The extra weight, I concede could be a factor for some.
I have an iPad for couch surfing as most of you do.
I think Macbook may be gone within a year unless it receives a significant refresh.
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You are out of warranty on that device and I would dump it. The gen 1 issues will eventually catch up to you. Gazelle is offering 471 if its in excellent shape. More than Apple.
I really disagree here. The MacBook Air has the same footprint as the 13" MacBook Pro and that is far from "just as portable as the MacBook". I've held many Pro's in my hand and to me it's incomparable in practicality, size, weight, etc. Also, the thickest part of the Air is thicker than the Pro's, making it the thickest Apple laptop available. It's also 36% heavier than the 12" MacBook.
The 12" MacBook is so light and handy you can use it in any tight space comfortably (airplane, waiting seat, public transportation, small desks, server rooms, standing up straight and have it leaning on one hand in the air while typing with the other, etc). With the Air it won't come close in those situations.
The current thinking is that the 12" MacBook will be the first ARM macOS device, so I don't expect it to go anywhere.
EXACTLY!!! Even that old marketing guy when on stage last year said that the non TB was lighter than the Air at the time and was begging it up as the Air successor.
So why the hell, have they released this really stupid new 13" Air. Sorry, I just do not understand the reasoning for it. I was trying to explain the range to a friend at the gym the other night and we came to the conclusion that £350 extra for the TB MacBook Pro is worth it over the 5 years or so that you'd keep it. The Air is dangerously overpriced. Not sure who pays that kind of money for a basic laptop. Maybe someone who is turned on buy that gold colour? Someone like iJustine on YouTube maybe?
If you don’t need Thunderbolt the MacBook is a better option. It’s not noticeably slower than the Air and is much lighter. With 256GB storage it’s actually $100 cheaper than the Air.
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I think Apple is waiting for Cannonlake to update the 12” MacBook and hopefully add Thunderbolt. Amber Lake would have been nice but it was only a clock speed bump.
Agree...much heavier by feel. the air's screen is less bright and duller in comparison..
when I was deciding to buy a macbook last week.
I looked at the 3 choices, and the first to be discounted was the air.
The reasons being.
1. Screen quality
2. Hardly any difference between the air and the pro, size the same, weight almost the same, price almost the same, except it was less powerful
I looked at the 3 choices, and the first to be discounted was the air.
The reasons being.
1. Screen quality
2. Hardly any difference between the air and the pro, size the same, weight almost the same, price almost the same, except it was less powerful
MacBook arrived Friday, 6 days earlier than the initial estimates.
I’m loving it so far. Standard use performance is good, no waits or beach balls. Browser, mail (Spark), etc.
Over next few weeks will see it perform under heavier work(load) for my job (office apps) and coding (Xcode and Visual Studio). I’ll report back.
Installed istats menu, so can see at a glance CPU, RAM, I/O, heat.
I’ll report back.
I’m loving it so far. Standard use performance is good, no waits or beach balls. Browser, mail (Spark), etc.
Over next few weeks will see it perform under heavier work(load) for my job (office apps) and coding (Xcode and Visual Studio). I’ll report back.
Installed istats menu, so can see at a glance CPU, RAM, I/O, heat.
I’ll report back.
i7 / 16GB / 256
I know your other threads said i7 was unnecessary, but it gives me more assurance(?) and I’m happy with the choice.
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I am wondering if there are metallic-based stands / trays / etc that will act as an additional thermal heat sink? Something like the twelve south BookArc? I’m just unsure the amount of metal-on-metal contact to help with cooling.
Or a gel-cooled pillow?
I've got the macbook
Cause I liked the light weight and use a laptop most of the time on my lap rather then a table.
But I am still doubting my decision if I made the right choice or not. Maybe I'll get some money and get the pro aswell haha
At least it should help for bursty load.
Personally I’d just try using it first. If it’s not enough for you, instead of buying a stand that will at best be of marginal help, consider just getting a Pro.
It really is a tough one. I have the 2017 13’ TB Pro. I love it, but it is now 1 year old and the battery is not quite as good. It runs down much faster now. I was hoping the Air would be much lighter and screen better. But now I am left with a decision. Should I consider MBP 2018...stick it out on the 2017, or go back to MacBook, which I loved, but seems like a step backwards now.
I am also considering a Surface Laptop 2...very interesting option, but not sure about leaving macOS. Decisions decisions
Last week I finally held the new MacBook Air and I guess this thread title should be changed to "Who in their right mind would buy a MacBook Air after today?" The Air feels just as heavy as the MacBook Pro, at its thickest point it's thicker than the 13" MacBook Pro, it's just as big as the MacBook Pro and it's slower than the MacBook Pro.
So if you want ultra portable you buy the 12" MacBook, if not you get the MacBook Pro. The Air is a very weird product, it makes much less sense than the 12" MacBook.
The Air feels just as heavy as the MacBook Pro, at its thickest point it's thicker than the 13" MacBook Pro, it's just as big as the MacBook Pro and it's slower than the MacBook Pro. So if you want ultra portable you buy the 12" MacBook, if not you get the MacBook Pro. The Air is a very weird product, it makes much less sense than the 12" MacBook.
I picked up a 2017 MB 12 last week on deep discount (799.99 USD). While I was leaning towards the 2018 MBA, I just felt that the MBP was a better buy for the money, but ultimately deferred to my first choice, the 12” MB, given what I wanted/needed.
My spouse has a 2017 MBA and it works well for her and her workflow.
At the end of the day, I feel that you have to pick the machine that works for you, regardless of what the spec sheets say.
My spouse has a 2017 MBA and it works well for her and her workflow.
At the end of the day, I feel that you have to pick the machine that works for you, regardless of what the spec sheets say.
yeah, great point. I think for me it is about wanting a ultra portable for when I travel...but wanting the power of the MBP when home and need it for Lightroom/Photoshop..etc.Last week I finally held the new MacBook Air and I guess this thread title should be changed to "Who in their right mind would buy a MacBook Air after today?"
So if you want ultra portable you buy the 12" MacBook, if not you get the MacBook Pro. The Air is a very weird product, it makes much less sense than the 12" MacBook.