Apple refreshes MacBook with Skylake, improved graphics, faster storage, battery

[Blackjack200]

Maybe a bit of a disappointment for anyone holding out for more capability in the second iteration.

Our goal with MacBook was to do the impossible: engineer a full‑size experience into the lightest and most compact Mac notebook ever. That meant reimagining every element to make it not only lighter and thinner but also better. The result is more than just a new notebook. It’s the future of the notebook. And now, with sixth‑generation Intel processors, improved graphics performance, faster flash storage, and up to 10 hours of battery life,* MacBook is even more capable.

http://www.apple.com/macbook/

Edit: You can also get a pink Rose Gold version now.

 

[Rakehellion]

If you have a rose gold MacBook and it gets scratched, is it silver underneath?

 

[TheStu]

If you have a rose gold MacBook and it gets scratched, is it silver underneath?

If the scratch is deep enough, probably. I think it's anodized, rather than actual colored aluminum (if that's even a thing that's possible).

Also, no TB3 on the v2, so I'll be holding onto my v1 for a little while longer.

 

[Anubis]

does it still only have 1 USB port?

 

[Rakehellion]

does it still only have 1 USB port?

Yep. Apple wants you to go wireless.

 

[Blackjack200]

1 port is understandable, but I'm really surprised it's not a TB3 port, or at least USB 3.1.

 

[Rakehellion]

1 port is understandable, but I'm really surprised it's not a TB3 port, or at least USB 3.1.

Is it USB 3.1. That's how you charge it.

 

[JAG87]

Underwhelming refresh... waiting for the new Macbook Pro.

 

[Commodus]

I wasn't expecting more than one USB port this time around. It's one year out from the original model; Apple doesn't usually do big redesigns until 2 years or later (look at the MacBook Air in 2008 versus 2010 if you want evidence). This was more about ironing out those kinks that Apple can work on without reinventing the wheel.

I'll say this: if you can live with the one USB-C port, it's a considerably better deal. Speed and battery life were two of the bigger gripes, and those have both been largely taken care of. If there are bigger changes in store, I'm not expecting them until the next revamp.

 

[Blackjack200]

Is it USB 3.1. That's how you charge it.

You're right, not sure why I was thinking it was 3.0

 

[Red Storm]

How does the new Core M processor compare to the dual core i5 of the MacBook Air (in my case from 2013)?

 

[jpiniero]

How does the new Core M processor compare to the dual core i5 of the MacBook Air (in my case from 2013)?

CPU's about the same, maybe a tad faster. GPU would be worse.

 

[Tweak155]

Waiting on the Macbook Pro news myself... have a friend that is trying to sell me his but not sure if I should hold out.

From a deal perspective I'm sure my friend's is a much better bank for the buck... but what if they introduce something awesome lol.

 

[weevilone]

Underwhelming refresh... waiting for the new Macbook Pro.

It was pretty much what any reasonable person would expect, perhaps aside from TB3.

 

[JAG87]

It was pretty much what any reasonable person would expect, perhaps aside from TB3.

and maybe I don't know, a webcam from this decade...

 

[Eug]

and maybe I don't know, a webcam from this decade...

I was hoping for a better webcam and 2 USB C ports, among other things.

BTW, it seems the reviews out there are tepid at best on this release.

 

[HeXen]

I only Mac Pro. Still quite happy with my 2013 model though and still seems plenty fast. I do like the haptic feedback on the trackpad idea though.

 

[HiroThreading]

My only issue with the MacBook is the lack of TB3. I suppose from Apple's point of view, if you needed the docking capabilities of TB3 (multiple USB ports, ethernet and etc), then you should be aiming for the MBP.

I'm also very surprised that Apple has still yet to get rid of the MBA and the non-retina MBP 13".

Underwhelming refresh... waiting for the new Macbook Pro.

If you were considering a MBP, then the MacBook was never going to be for you. Completely different markets.

 

[Eug]

I agree with your first two paragraphs. I disagree with your third though. I'd say that for me I fit in between the 12" and 13" Pro. I prefer some of the higher end features but also value lightness and actually don't really need a Pro machine. So, I was actively looking at both, and despite owning an old Pro now, the 12" form factor is exactly what I had been asking for for years before it was released. I was just disappointed it had these limitations.

 

[HiroThreading]

I agree with your first two paragraphs. I disagree with your third though. I'd say that for me I fit in between the 12" and 13" Pro. I prefer some of the higher end features but also value lightness and actually don't really need a Pro machine. So, I was actively looking at both, and despite owning an old Pro now, the 12" form factor is exactly what I had been asking for for years before it was released. I was just disappointed it had these limitations.

I used to think that the MacBook and 13" RMBP overlapped a bit too, but once you start looking at the use cases and hardware differences, then they're really quite different -- actually I suppose that's why Apple has yet to get rid of the MBA!

If you need the ports, then you're obviously not as portable/mobile as you think you are, and you're obviously doing something CPU-intensive enough to make use of the extra functionality that the ports provide. So, even if the MacBook had more ports, you would probably find the CPU and screen size limitations very frustrating.

On the other hand, if you think you need the ports, but don't actually use apps which make use of the extra CPU power, then you're probably not as stationary as you think you are, in which case the MacBook would be absolutely fine. On the very odd occasion that you need additional ports, then just pack in an extra adapter in your bag or suit pocket.

I can't really think of a use case which floats in between the two products. There probably is a [shrinking] market out there. But as advancements in wireless connectivity, battery life and cloud computing continue, then I think the differentiation between MB and RMBP users will become more clear. It's at that point that Apple will probably retire the MBA.

 

[JAG87]

If you were considering a MBP, then the MacBook was never going to be for you. Completely different markets.

Not necessarily true, I have a rMBP because when I bought it the MBA sucked, and this was the only machine with a good display. I don't necessarily want another MBP, I want first and foremost a thinner and lighter machine that can do everyday tasks and some light photo and video editing. The MB would be an excellent candidate if it didn't have a crap webcam and total lack of connectivity options. I would also like a 13" display.

So you can see that I'm not really that interested in another MBP, I'm really interested in a MB that doesn't suck.

 

[Eug]

I agree. There is much more overlap than some might think. I only need the computing power and screen size of the MacBook, but it's disappointing to have only one port that used for USB, power, and video output.

For example, they have a VGA multiport adapter for CAD$100, but it gets lousy reviews. Extremely slow transfer rates, and extremely slow charging. It would have been nice to have say one standard USB port for a USB drive, one USB C port, and one charging port. This would make a perfect PowerPoint machine for example.

As mentioned, I've been wanting a 12" MacBook for just about forever. When the first MBP's came out, I said the ideal would be a smaller and lighter weight machine. When the Airs came out I was less than impressed because of their bad screens and lousy ergonomics so I stuck with the Pro. With the release of the Retina Pros I said the ideal for me would be a 12" Retina.

And then they finally released that 12" Retina, but totally gimped it in terms of ports and camera. Yeah, they probably did that on purpose to push people to the Pros, but like JAG87, I don't really need a Pro. I need and want a 12" Retina with just a few more ports. Even just two USB C ports would be enough.

But it's moot for me anyway since I won't buy until Kaby Lake or later. I want that hardware 10-bit HEVC h.264 and VP9 support, and no Macs currently have that. Going forward, HEVC and VP9 are going to be standard, and it would be annoying not that have that. In fact, HEVC and VP9 are already standard for some stuff. If you don't think that matters, think back to those people with older MacBooks. With the transition to h.264, all of a sudden people starting getting stuttering just watching YouTube, esp. when multitasking.

 

[HiroThreading]

Not necessarily true, I have a rMBP because when I bought it the MBA sucked, and this was the only machine with a good display. I don't necessarily want another MBP, I want first and foremost a thinner and lighter machine that can do everyday tasks and some light photo and video editing. The MB would be an excellent candidate if it didn't have a crap webcam and total lack of connectivity options. I would also like a 13" display.

So you can see that I'm not really that interested in another MBP, I'm really interested in a MB that doesn't suck.

I agree. There is much more overlap than some might think. I only need the computing power and screen size of the MacBook, but it's disappointing to have only one port that used for USB, power, and video output.

For example, they have a VGA multiport adapter for CAD$100, but it gets lousy reviews. Extremely slow transfer rates, and extremely slow charging. It would have been nice to have say one standard USB port for a USB drive, one USB C port, and one charging port. This would make a perfect PowerPoint machine for example.

As mentioned, I've been wanting a 12" MacBook for just about forever. When the first MBP's came out, I said the ideal would be a smaller and lighter weight machine. When the Airs came out I was less than impressed because of their bad screens and lousy ergonomics so I stuck with the Pro. With the release of the Retina Pros I said the ideal for me would be a 12" Retina.

And then they finally released that 12" Retina, but totally gimped it in terms of ports and camera. Yeah, they probably did that on purpose to push people to the Pros, but like JAG87, I don't really need a Pro. I need and want a 12" Retina with just a few more ports. Even just two USB C ports would be enough.

But it's moot for me anyway since I won't buy until Kaby Lake or later. I want that hardware 10-bit HEVC h.264 and VP9 support, and no Macs currently have that. Going forward, HEVC and VP9 are going to be standard, and it would be annoying not that have that. In fact, HEVC and VP9 are already standard for some stuff. If you don't think that matters, think back to those people with older MacBooks. With the transition to h.264, all of a sudden people starting getting stuttering just watching YouTube, esp. when multitasking.

I suppose this is why Apple has yet to kill the MBA, and I also presume that they're looking to do so as soon as they can by releasing a more slim and sleek 13" rMBP. But you have to admit that this is a shrinking and fairly small use-case.

Also I think Apple's plans to release an updated 13" rMBP (and 15") were delayed due to Intel screwing up the Broadwell launch, the backlog of mediocre 28nm dGPU options (I think Apple was betting on a roll-out of 22/18nm GPUs) and because of Intel's unexpected reversal on TB3's compatibility.

I expect a full correction at WWDC.

 

[JAG87]

But you have to admit that this is a shrinking and fairly small use-case.

Oh I beg to differ. I know plenty of folks who want a MB, but are just not willing to part with the connectivity (never even friggen mind magsafe...!) that the rMBP has. The MB pretends that we make far too many sacrifices for the sake of form factor. Don't get me wrong, the rMBP is still a great machine, but it's really falling short when compared with the 2016 competition. Apple needs to either revamp the rMBP and make it thinner and lighter (and basically kill the MBA), or release a new rMBA that blends the best of the MB and the rMBP.

The MBA of today doesn't even exist in my eyes, it's in the same realm as the fat non-retina MBP, basically a turd for 2016.

 

[Kaido]

Still only 8GB of RAM? I use that just in Chrome