New compact MacBook: what the old one could do, what we expect from the new one
From 2015 to 2019, Apple launched the 12-inch MacBook, a practical small notebook. This is now to be revived. What that means technically.
MacBook with 12 inches: A dream device for mobile users.
(Image: Apple)
According to serious sources in the rumor mill, Apple finally seems to be planning another (very) compact MacBook. According to these sources, the model could go into mass production as early as the fourth quarter. The idea seems to be to revive the 12-inch MacBook format, which Apple had in its range from 2015 to 2019. This was actually considered the ideal candidate for a first portable device with an Apple silicon chip. But Apple never realized the idea.
That was the 12-inch MacBook
The 12-inch MacBook was an ultra-compact and lightweight device that weighed less than a kilo and consisted almost entirely of a keyboard and screen. It was ideal for travelers in particular: the screen was large enough and the keyboard was big enough to at least do office work. The only annoying thing was the comparatively slow Intel chip without a fan. Video editing or other more intensive applications were therefore not something you wanted to do with the machine. In the four years of its existence, Apple developed several generations, each of which received faster processors.
However, the 12-inch MacBook was not perfect either. In addition to the aforementioned performance problem, Apple also installed its problematic butterfly keyboard, which led to many failures. The device did not have a real successor – The 13-inch MacBook Air, which is significantly heavier and bulkier, is considered a replacement. It is unclear why Apple never launched a real successor to its compact MacBook.
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Planned hardware according to the rumor mill
The new MacBook is now said to be equipped with a 13-inch screen instead of a 12-inch one. It is to be hoped that the additional surface area will not result in the hardware being (much) heavier and larger than the old Intel version because then it would also fit less into the range. The hope is for a particularly thin and light device. Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at TF International Securities with good contacts in Apple's supply chain, raised the speculation. According to his information, the new model will not have an M-Chip, as Apple usually uses in Macs, but the A18 Pro from the iPhone 16 Pro. This tactic would not be entirely new: the very first Apple Silicon device, a Mac mini specifically for developers, came with the iPad Pro chip A12Z. The A18 Pro is said to be a good 40 percent slower (overall) than the M4. The overall level should be around the same as the M1 – but with better graphics performance. That was absolutely sufficient when Apple Silicon was introduced five years ago. Nowadays, one would wish for faster hardware.
However, the new compact MacBook should also be quite affordable, possibly starting at 700 US dollars. This would put it in competition with the MacBook Air M1, which is offered at individual retailers below this price, but is no longer officially listed by Apple. The RAM configuration and SSD will also be interesting. The A18 Pro currently uses 8 GB in the iPhone, but Apple now always equips Macs with 16 GB of RAM. On the other hand, Apple could skimp on the SSD – as is unfortunately usual –. The old 12-inch MacBook was primarily intended for mobile users who use office applications and web apps – and this is likely to remain the case here too. But with significantly better performance than back then.
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