The rumored 12-inch MacBook with Apple Silicon - a 2024 perspective (Speculation Megathread?)

[xunx]

The funny thing is that for 90% casual iPad pro users, the Pro is just overpowered, so people are really paying for the hardware premium that turns out to be useless. Yet for the 10% Pro users who really want to replace their laptop with iPad Pro and who are willing to pay the high price, the Pro just can't do the job.

Apple is displeasing both groups of users in the long run for the sake of short-term profit, although the profit is already declining.

Just give the pro users what they want by enabling the iPad Pro to run real professional level desktop apps. The iPad "Pro" is not on par with its name from day 1.

 

[MrGunny94]

The funny thing is that for 90% casual iPad pro users, the Pro is just overpowered, so people are really paying for the hardware premium that turns out to be useless. Yet for the 10% Pro users who really want to replace their laptop with iPad Pro and who are willing to pay the high price, the Pro just can't do the job.

Apple is displeasing both groups of users in the long run for the sake of short-term profit, although the profit is already declining.

Just give the pro users what they want by enabling the iPad Pro to run real professional level desktop apps. The iPad "Pro" is not on par with its name from day 1.

Yeah, you know when they got rid of the 12" and introduced the iPad Pro 12.9, I'd thought they were moving the iPad to be 'docked' in macOS mode..

But I don't know, the reality is that a 12" would satisfy a lot of people and would be a good entry level for those who haven't got the Air or are waiting for a 12" to upgrade from the Intel era.

I'm curious to how many 12" Intel users are out there

 

[varezhka]

Maybe Apple thinks there's no space in the lineup for the 12" since most people will go for the 13" and the iPad Air...

Count me among those who ended up doing exactly that after my 12” MacBook died. And to think that when I first got the 12” it replaced a 13” laptop and an iPad. Back to square one but I’m sure Apple is happy to get two sales instead of one.

 

[LaterWolf]

I mean with this amazing chips, which are 4 gens in it would be really good time to put it on.

Maybe Apple thinks there's no space in the lineup for the 12" since most people will go for the 13" and the iPad Air...

Heck, needless to say they might think the iPad Air 12.9" is the new 12" lol

Sad reality
You know how far I've entered into the big device rabbit hole, the iphone 13 pro max feels normal and the S22 Ultra close but the case Is bulky

 

[LaterWolf]

The funny thing is that for 90% casual iPad pro users, the Pro is just overpowered, so people are really paying for the hardware premium that turns out to be useless. Yet for the 10% Pro users who really want to replace their laptop with iPad Pro and who are willing to pay the high price, the Pro just can't do the job.

Apple is displeasing both groups of users in the long run for the sake of short-term profit, although the profit is already declining.

Just give the pro users what they want by enabling the iPad Pro to run real professional level desktop apps. The iPad "Pro" is not on par with its name from day 1.

My dad recently had his birthday, and he always wanted an iPad for reading. Now, we would've gotten him either the mini or air, he's old and doesn't need that much power, but as a generosity for gifting me my MacBook air, I decided to go with the pro, which was on sale

While he said he doesn't need a laptop anymore, I've always felt like it was overpowered for him, since he only reads and listens to podcasts. That said, I'm glad I got him the 11 inch, and from time to time we both use it, as he already feels it's heavy.

 

[throAU]

A base Air is so much more powerful and flexible than the iPad.

Depends how you measure those things.

You can't draw with a pencil on the MacBook Air, and you can't get it with cellular internet. You can't replace the keyboard and trackpad without opening it up and voiding your warranty. It has an inferior display and speakers.

All of those things may not matter to you, but in particular the ability to use the device with a pencil is a huge win, and the major reason I keep an iPad around for documentation, note taking, etc. That is flexibility the air just simply doesn't have.

About the only thing I can't do with the iPad these days (when paired with a keyboard/mouse and external display + stage manager) is run virtual machines.

 

[throAU]

The funny thing is that for 90% casual iPad pro users, the Pro is just overpowered, so people are really paying for the hardware premium that turns out to be useless. Yet for the 10% Pro users who really want to replace their laptop with iPad Pro and who are willing to pay the high price, the Pro just can't do the job.

Yup. But for many of us, it is very, very close. I'd love them to open up the virtualisation framework to iPadOS and perhaps run some macOS apps in a similar way to how macOS can run iPadOS apps.

 

[MrGunny94]

Yup. But for many of us, it is very, very close. I'd love them to open up the virtualisation framework to iPadOS and perhaps run some macOS apps in a similar way to how macOS can run iPadOS apps.

And to have a godamm Terminal so I can use Ansible and try out some other things that I need for work like Docker for example.

I would buy the new iPad in an heartbeat if it had macOS.

 

[LaterWolf]

And to have a godamm Terminal so I can use Ansible and try out some other things that I need for work like Docker for example.

I would buy the new iPad in an heartbeat if it had macOS.

Well, you'd lose the ability to download shows 😛 😉,(/s)

 

[MrGunny94]

Well, you'd lose the ability to download shows 😛 😉,(/s)

Can always go to iPad mode once a week

 

[LaterWolf]

Yup. But for many of us, it is very, very close. I'd love them to open up the virtualisation framework to iPadOS and perhaps run some macOS apps in a similar way to how macOS can run iPadOS apps.

They might now that the eu classifies ipados as a gatekeeper

 

[MrGunny94]

They might now that the eu classifies ipados as a gatekeeper

That would be great honestly, the iPad Pro is a great device and pretty capable of doing my normal workloads.

It's just limited because of Apple...

 

[LaterWolf]

Depends how you measure those things.

You can't draw with a pencil on the MacBook Air, and you can't get it with cellular internet. You can't replace the keyboard and trackpad without opening it up and voiding your warranty. It has an inferior display and speakers.

All of those things may not matter to you, but in particular the ability to use the device with a pencil is a huge win, and the major reason I keep an iPad around for documentation, note taking, etc. That is flexibility the air just simply doesn't have.

About the only thing I can't do with the iPad these days (when paired with a keyboard/mouse and external display + stage manager) is run virtual machines.

True
But I swear that display going to mesmerize me until the end of life while watching hdr

 

[throAU]

And to have a godamm Terminal so I can use Ansible and try out some other things that I need for work like Docker for example.

I would buy the new iPad in an heartbeat if it had macOS.

as above i don't even want macOS. I just want a few macOS features. Virtual memory a couple of years back was a start. Let me have stuff not terminate in the background and i'll be mostly happy!

 

[LaterWolf]

as above i don't even want macOS. I just want a few macOS features. Virtual memory a couple of years back was a start. Let me have stuff not terminate in the background and i'll be mostly happy!

Very simple, but I think apple is worried about overheating in such a thin enclosure

 

[UltimateSyn]

I would love for them to revive the 12" MacBook because it was such a fun device, but honestly there probably isn't a large market for it that's not already covered by the other devices in Apple's iPad/Mac lineup.

The 13" MacBook Air is so thin/light now... only 2.7lbs, less than an inch wider than the 12" MB was, less than an inch deeper, and very thin. The 11" iPad Pro provides a pseudo laptop-replacement in an extremely compact and light weight form factor, too. I know the argument there - macOS vs. iPadOS - and I get it, but were that many people doing heavyweight, complex tasks on the 12" MB that couldn't be easily accomplished with iPadOS? I'd be willing to bet it was primarily an email-checker, web-surfer, note-taker, etc.

That being said, they could make one heck of a nice 12" laptop now with how efficient and powerful Apple Silicon is. I'd certainly appreciate its return, but just don't know if they could justify its existence enough to make it.

 

[LaterWolf]

I would love for them to revive the 12" MacBook because it was such a fun device, but honestly there probably isn't a large market for it that's not already covered by the other devices in Apple's iPad/Mac lineup.

The 13" MacBook Air is so thin/light now... only 2.7lbs, less than an inch wider than the 12" MB was, less than an inch deeper, and very thin. The 11" iPad Pro provides a pseudo laptop-replacement in an extremely compact and light weight form factor, too. I know the argument there - macOS vs. iPadOS - and I get it, but were that many people doing heavyweight, complex tasks on the 12" MB that couldn't be easily accomplished with iPadOS? I'd be willing to bet it was primarily an email-checker, web-surfer, note-taker, etc.

That being said, they could make one heck of a nice 12" laptop now with how efficient and powerful Apple Silicon is. I'd certainly appreciate its return, but just don't know if they could justify its existence enough to make it.

The standout post in what's now an Apple bring macOS to the iPad, which wasn't even intended to be the main talking point this deep
In terms of actual content, yes there's no reason to make one, but what if?

 

[LaterWolf]

I’m not sure about that. Smaller does not always mean less expensive. At some point, making a laptop smaller increases costs due to increased complexity associated with miniaturization more than offset savings from smaller displays and batteries.

For me, a chance to finally update my 12” G4 PowerBook is tempting. It’s getting harder and harder to hook up to secure sites on the Internet

G4?

 

[Chuckeee]

G4?

Yes 12” G4 Powerbook from 2005. It is funny, people still come up to me and ask what is it, where did I get it, is it some sort of prototype? I have to carry around extra batteries which is a pain. But I can still use her while flying coach and the person in front of me reclines their seat.

 

[mk313]

Yes 12” G4 Powerbook from 2005. It is funny, people still come up to me and ask what is it, where did I get it, is it some sort of prototype? I have to carry around extra batteries which is a pain. But I can still use her while flying coach and the person in front of me reclines their seat.

Whoa! That is awesome. I have a 12” PowerBook sitting in the closet. Had to move on years ago, but am running a 12” Macbook now. If you ever do decide to upgrade, you can get one of those & it will feel lightning fast.

Props to you though. The 12” PowerBook was an amazing laptop.

 

[EugW]

Wow, people are still using the 12" PowerBook?!?

That brings back memories... an annoying one actually. Back in 2001 and 2002, I was absolutely convinced that Apple was going to release a 12" G4 PowerBook, because they already had the 12" G3 iBook, and the 15" TiBook was too big for some people like myself. By 2002, I was adamant it was "coming soon", but people on various forums and my friends all said I was crazy. No such 12" PowerBook was coming.

Come November 2002, and Apple released... yet another 15" TiBook, and no 12" PowerBook. I was dejected, realizing I was wrong and everyone else was right, so I went ahead and bought that 15" TiBook.

Then just 2 months later in January 2003, Apple released the 12" G4 PowerBook. 😡😵‍💫 What made it even worse was that the TiBook was USB 1, whereas the 12" PowerBook was USB 2. ☹️

Now I'm adamant Apple is going to release a MacBook Air with 12 GB base. That will likely be our next purchase. Hopefully with M4, but possibly not until M5. Probably 2025-2026. In the meantime my wife will continue to use her 2017 MacBook Air Core i5. It still works fine in 2024, with Monterey. I couldn't imagine trying to use a G4 in 2024. In fact, I gave up on PowerPC over a decade ago.

 

[mk313]

Now I'm adamant Apple is going to release a MacBook Air with 12 GB base. That will likely be our next purchase. Hopefully with M4, but possibly not until M5. Probably 2025-2026. In the meantime my wife will continue to use her 2017 MacBook Air Core i5. It still works fine in 2024, with Monterey. I couldn't imagine trying to use a G4 in 2024. In fact, I gave up on PowerPC over a decade ago.

You’re in luck! I finally gave in & bought a MacBook Air to replace my 2017 12”. I”m sure that now that I’ve finally given up on It, a new 12” will be right around the corner.

 

[EugW]

You’re in luck! I finally gave in & bought a MacBook Air to replace my 2017 12”. I”m sure that now that I’ve finally given up on It, a new 12” will be right around the corner.

Heh. Actually, just to be clear if you weren't already aware, I was talking about 12 GB memory.

I'm not predicting the release of another 12" Mac anytime soon. I will buying an M4 11" iPad Pro to fill that role, sort of, alongside my 2017 12", which still works OK on Ventura in 2024. I foresee >90% of my non-iPhone mobile usage will be the iPad Pro, with the 12" MacBook filling in a few gaps.

However, I will get a 13.6" or 15.3" MacBook Air to replace my wife's current 13.3" MacBook Air, when it goes to 12 GB memory for the base model. It will probably be the 13.6" as it's actually less than 12" wide.

11.04" - 2017 12" MacBook width
12.8" - 2017 13.3" MacBook Air width
11.97" - 2024 13.6" MacBook Air width
13.4" - 2024 15.3" MacBook Air width

 

[mk313]

Oh, gotcha. I misread that. I still hope they come out with a new 12” & I’d buy it regardless, but my current 12” is starting to not close properly, which makes me think the battery may be expanding. So I had to move on. Here’s hoping the next MacBook comes with 12 GB of RAM & also comes with a 12” Screen option.

 

[LaterWolf]

Yes 12” G4 Powerbook from 2005. It is funny, people still come up to me and ask what is it, where did I get it, is it some sort of prototype? I have to carry around extra batteries which is a pain. But I can still use her while flying coach and the person in front of me reclines their seat.

Must be wild to carry that around and (maybe) getting it to a Starbucks.