Well we've progressed exactly zero in the last 7 years, as all of that is exactly the same on the new M2 MBA and MBP, starting at $1199 and $1299 respectively.
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Apple Discontinued the 12-Inch MacBook Three Years Ago Today
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Well we've progressed exactly zero in the last 7 years, as all of that is exactly the same on the new M2 MBA and MBP, starting at $1199 and $1299 respectively.
Yes, Apple needs more 'vanity projects' like the 12" MacBook - to push the technological envelope.
Otherwise they start to stagnate...
Actually saw one going through security at the airport yesterday, owned by a young girl. The very first time I ever saw one outside an apple store.
Everyone bought MBAs instead.
Everyone bought MBAs instead.
I actually loved that thing and would have kept it if Apple had just added a second USB-C port so I could charge while connected to external drives without having to use a dongle. That single plug was the deal breaker for me.
Silly talk. The M2 is plenty power and thermal efficient compared to the intel chips that were there. In fact, I would argue that it was that experience that added to apple’s decision to break ties to intel. Your argument is based on artificial tests and the M2 has been shown fine in actual use.
This is what they need to do:
Nuke the 13” MBP from orbit.
Add 12” MacBook Air
Upgrade the 13.6” MacBook Air to 14”
14” MacBook Pro
16” MacBook Pro
Add 18” Studio
Change name of Mac Mini to Mac
Mac Studio
24” iMac
32” iMac Studio
Mac Pro
Only thing I can’t figure out when it comes to naming is if Studio is above Pro. For the Mac Studio it can be configured to be more powerful than the MacBook Pro. So it makes more sense to have Studio above Pro. But surely the Mac Pro will be much faster than the Mac Studio, so that doesn’t make sense. So should the two lower end MacBook Pros be called MacBook Studio and then a larger 18” model be called the MacBook Pro?
And as far as a potential 18” MacBook Pro/Studio goes, I think by the time the M3 Ultra comes out on 3nm process node it could probably run in a large chassis notebook, though maybe a bit more thermally constrained or with lower end graphics core options compared to a desktop variant to fit that thermal envelope.
Nuke the 13” MBP from orbit.
Add 12” MacBook Air
Upgrade the 13.6” MacBook Air to 14”
14” MacBook Pro
16” MacBook Pro
Add 18” Studio
Change name of Mac Mini to Mac
Mac Studio
24” iMac
32” iMac Studio
Mac Pro
Only thing I can’t figure out when it comes to naming is if Studio is above Pro. For the Mac Studio it can be configured to be more powerful than the MacBook Pro. So it makes more sense to have Studio above Pro. But surely the Mac Pro will be much faster than the Mac Studio, so that doesn’t make sense. So should the two lower end MacBook Pros be called MacBook Studio and then a larger 18” model be called the MacBook Pro?
And as far as a potential 18” MacBook Pro/Studio goes, I think by the time the M3 Ultra comes out on 3nm process node it could probably run in a large chassis notebook, though maybe a bit more thermally constrained or with lower end graphics core options compared to a desktop variant to fit that thermal envelope.
It's hard to estimate the volume of the 12" MB, because of the taper. I did a rough estimate and came up with this:
M2 MBA = 740 cm^3; 1.13 cm thick, 30.41 cm x 21.5 cm footprint.
12" MB = 700 cm^3; 1.31 cm thick, not including taper; 28.05 cm x 19.65 cm footprint.
So the 12" MB was about 5% smaller. It was thicker (not including the tapered sections), but had a smaller footprint.
I love my 2017 12 inch MacBook. It's so lightweight and easy to stick in a small backpack and work anywhere. It's still going strong; I've had no issues with the keyboard other than having to blow it out with a dust can a few times. It can get too hot however, and does a thermal shutdown sometimes when I work outside. Probably will be upgrading to a MacBook Pro with a fan soon but only because of that.
Nah, they should keep the 13.6" MBA, but then add a 15.4" MBA for those who need a larger screen, but don't need the power, weight and cost of a 16" Pro/Max.
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I still have the 2017 model, it's one of the best Intel-based MacBook I have ever used.
I had one of this. Loved it so much.More nostalgic, do you remember the 12" Powerbook? I had to remind myself that it was called a "Powerbook G4" and not a MacBook Pro. It was such a cute little thing.
apple can revive this size if they and the people want, but please do not call it the "macbook". it is an objectively bad name because if people are having issues with this macbook and they google the problem, they may end up with results from the macbook air and the macbook pro. obviously there are work arounds if they google "m2 macbook 12"," but this just makes things complicated.
Ipad + keyboard. No need for this device in the lineup.
It was very nice, sleek system, something i was very interested at that time. The only let down for me was the single port design. Later, i came to know system was very under powered and marred with thermal issues. Good i didn't get one.
I can’t imagine they would bring back this design. The new air is a bit bigger and heavier but offers so much more for a thin and light laptop. The 12 just came with too many compromises between the keyboard, the performance and the complete lack of ports.
These machines were like stepping into the future. They were way ahead of their time. Made the 11" MBA feel like a dinosaur, and the iPad a toy. One can only hope Apple brings them back with Apple Silicon.
There really is nothing like the feeling of a full fledged computer that you can easily slip into a bag and barely notice.
I used to own one and really loved it. My partner still uses one as her main computer (her needs are... very light... as in half the time I have to remember to charge it for her as she hasn't used it in a few days light)
There really is nothing like the feeling of a full fledged computer that you can easily slip into a bag and barely notice.
I used to own one and really loved it. My partner still uses one as her main computer (her needs are... very light... as in half the time I have to remember to charge it for her as she hasn't used it in a few days light)
I just want that 900 grams with software development capable chip and 500 nits, anything else is a bonusIt just may be coming back — but geared toward Pros. Think MacBook Pro physique, but speaker grills non-existent because the keyboard goes right up to the edge; much like the 12" PowerBook G4.
The keyboard will probably move closer to the hinge to accommodate the trackpad's size. The Liquid Retina display will have mini LEDs & thinner bezels means the screen size is closer to 12.5", instead of 12.0" of the 2015 12" MacBook.
It may run cool with its M2 or M2 Pro SoC but it will look 🔥 & we'll all want one.
Yeah ditch a superlight laptop that actually could be used on your lap (if you don't let it run to hot) and replace it with a bulky solution in search of a problem....
5% here, 5% there and the taper and you have a device that was 10-20% smaller (even more if you go by weight). But sadly the fact that the Air got a redesign (and the way it got it) means that there won't be a proper 12" (which would be around 12.5" with 202x bezels) anytime soon.
My 12” MacBook is still going strong as my daily driver for work. For me, a laptop is allllll about portability. I have a souped up iMac for all my heavy lifting, but I generally don’t need much power on the go. I had an 11” MacBook Air prior and it was the perfect size to toss in any bag and take with me. I refused to accept a 13” model as an option since I started with a 12” iBook and it was the perfect size for me. I replaced most of my computer usage with an iPad Pro for years prior to stepping into my current job, but I had to dust off my MacBook to access all the tools I need on the daily. So for personal use, I prefer my iPad, but for work need my MacBook. Both fit really well in my messenger bag and they use the same charger, which is a necessit.
I thank you for posting it.I wrote this story and I can understand this reaction, but I think it's a harmless Saturday story that provides a chance to discuss both the former 12-inch MacBook and rumors of a new 12-inch MacBook.
Actually, for some reason, I thought the 12-inch MBr was discontinued a couple more years ago. As many in this thread, while typing this on an 11-inch MBA (not my main machine though, but great in its role as the 12 MBr is), I wish Apple was still making some 'around 2 pounds' laptop but they are not and the earliest rumors let us hope is 2024...
Last update was in 2017 and when the rMBA came around in 2018 it was turned into another one of Apple's pointless "why is that still here" products noone cared about.
So it really died about 4 years ago.
Nope, as I mentioned I already included a rough estimate to account for the taper. Without accounting for the taper, their volumes are within ~2%:
12" MB: 1.31 cm x 28.05 cm x 19.65 cm = 722 cm^3
M2 Air: 1.13 cm x 30.41 cm x 21.5 cm = 739 cm^3
If they make an Apple Silicon MB, its footprint would be about the same size as that of the 12" MB (they can't make the width any smaller and still accommodate the full-size keyboard--see pic of 12" MB) (of course, the screen would be larger, b/c of thinner bezels, as many have mentioned). But with AS's thermals, they could perhaps make it even thinner than the Air, especially if they restrict it to low-binned CPUs/GPUs and wait until the SoC is on a 3 nm process):
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