Apple's new 12" MacBook shown off, compared to 11" MacBook Air in 15-minute video
Ahead of the 12-inch MacBook's expected release later this month, a Ukrainian electronics reseller got its hands on the device to produce a fairly detailed video looking at hardware, performance and design.
In its overview, website Rozetka compares Apple's 12-inch MacBook with what appears to be a 2013 11-inch MacBook Air, pointing out design differences and highlighting new features like butterfly switch keys and the Force Touch trackpad.
Created as a sales pitch, today's video offers little in the way of hardcore testing. The website did, however, run both Geekbench and Unigine benchmark tests, with the new 12-inch model coming in slightly behind the nearly two-year-old MacBook Air. Despite a lower score, the MacBook seemed to handle day-to-day tasks just as well as the older Air, the website said.
In another comparison showing off device thinness, the new MacBook matches up favorably against a first-generation iPad. At its thickest point, the laptop is still slimmer than Apple's original tablet.
The video also demonstrates differences between multitouch and Force Touch trackpads, and old scissor type keyboard keys versus new butterfly switch versions. Keys on Apple's MacBook were designed to be both easier to depress and more resistant to unwanted deflection when pressed at their periphery.
Connectivity is also mentioned as the video gives a look at the new MacBook's USB 3.1 Type-C connector and plug, which replaces discrete MagSafe power, USB and Thunderbolt connections.
Apple's all new 12-inch MacBook will be offered in silver, space gray and gold when it goes on sale on April 10 for a base price of $1,299.
In its overview, website Rozetka compares Apple's 12-inch MacBook with what appears to be a 2013 11-inch MacBook Air, pointing out design differences and highlighting new features like butterfly switch keys and the Force Touch trackpad.
Created as a sales pitch, today's video offers little in the way of hardcore testing. The website did, however, run both Geekbench and Unigine benchmark tests, with the new 12-inch model coming in slightly behind the nearly two-year-old MacBook Air. Despite a lower score, the MacBook seemed to handle day-to-day tasks just as well as the older Air, the website said.
In another comparison showing off device thinness, the new MacBook matches up favorably against a first-generation iPad. At its thickest point, the laptop is still slimmer than Apple's original tablet.
The video also demonstrates differences between multitouch and Force Touch trackpads, and old scissor type keyboard keys versus new butterfly switch versions. Keys on Apple's MacBook were designed to be both easier to depress and more resistant to unwanted deflection when pressed at their periphery.
Connectivity is also mentioned as the video gives a look at the new MacBook's USB 3.1 Type-C connector and plug, which replaces discrete MagSafe power, USB and Thunderbolt connections.
Apple's all new 12-inch MacBook will be offered in silver, space gray and gold when it goes on sale on April 10 for a base price of $1,299.
Comments
Comparable to an 11" Haswell Air is impressive indeed.
As I've said, this is one first-generation Apple product that I don't feel any trepidation about recommending to others.
"In another comparison showing off device thinness, the new MacBook matches up favorably against a first-generation iPad. At its thickest point, the laptop is still slimmer than Apple's original tablet."
--Very Impressive!
do you really care? pretty woman don't need to be understood.
Haha, I like the humourous approach. The Magsafe re-enactment at the 7 minute mark was funny. And the sarcasm about joining all the adaptors together is probably justified, though in reality someone would use a hub.
It's interesting about the power supply supporting dual voltage output, I haven't heard any other sites mention that. It does point to USB-C in other future Apple devices.
The 5Y71 in the 2015 MacBook scores about the same as the 5Y71 in the ASUS T300 Chi (singe-core 2944 / multi-core 5680). The ASUS is a fanless tablet based on Intel's reference device. Looks like Apple did not have a problem with implementation, this is good news.
This thing started off eerily like a porno...I didn't watch the whole video but I didn't get to the point in the video that helped the viewer understand what the heck the first 30 seconds were...
Again...just leaving this here
This was all about how super-secret the whole thing is, having access to an unreleased product, etc.
If you know how state security etc. work in Eastern Europe (hello, former KGB!) then you get the allusion.
In the U.S. people are paranoid about getting caught doing the naughty, elsewhere they are concerned about real secrets; acting out the paranoia of hiding something looks similar.
Some people grow up in Europe, others watching porn
Haha, I like the humourous approach. The Magsafe re-enactment at the 7 minute mark was funny. And the sarcasm about joining all the adaptors together is probably justified, though in reality someone would use a hub.
It's interesting about the power supply supporting dual voltage output, I haven't heard any other sites mention that. It does point to USB-C in other future Apple devices.
All of Apple's power adaptors have the ability to step down the current to support other devices that require smaller adaptors. For instance you can use a 15" MBP 85W adaptor with a 13" MBP or a MBA, even though they use 60 and 45W adaptors, respectively. Same thing with using an iPad charger to charge an iPhone (12/10W vs 5W).
It's hardly surprising that a new USB (larger) adaptor would step down to 12W/5W, regardless of the type of USB port used. The next iPhone and iPad could possibly come with smaller USB-C adaptors and Lightning to USB-C cables.
Thank you for clarifying.
All of Apple's power adaptors have the ability to step down the current to support other devices that require smaller adaptors. For instance you can use a 15" MBP 85W adaptor with a 13" MBP or a MBA, even though they use 60 and 45W adaptors, respectively. Same thing with using an iPad charger to charge an iPhone (12/10W vs 5W).
It's hardly surprising that a new USB (larger) adaptor would step down to 12W/5W, regardless of the type of USB port used. The next iPhone and iPad could possibly come with smaller USB-C adaptors and Lightning to USB-C cables.
Output voltage. USB is 5V and typical magsafe is 20V
She said her name is Natasha Romanov and you are going to die at the end of the video.
That girl is adorable.
+1 - looks quite a bit more desirable and resourceful than the new MacBook. Comes in a single color, but one can live with that...
The new MacBook is a lovely product. But I don't get it.
As far as I can tell, it has a smaller screen, smaller keyboard, is not as fast, and doesn't last as long as a MacBook Air. So the only things it has going for it is that it a tad slimmer and has a retina display?
Maybe that is a lot to many people, I just wanted to make sure I understand the allure of it correectly.
You've got it. I can't wait until I have one. I'm very excited about getting mine!
You've got it. I can't wait until I have one. I'm very excited about getting mine!
[VIDEO]
Entry laptops have been lowering heat output more and more. This was the last step. If they'd just added a Retina display to the Macbook Air, some people would have said 'is that it, this should have been done ages ago' and it would get another update to go fanless anyway.
The 12" MB is also 1/3 lighter than the 13" Air despite having a laminated glass display vs plastic. It has the Force Touch trackpad.
There will be a Skylake update, likely before the end of this year, that will counter some performance difference between the MB and Air.
Positives: thinner, lighter, fanless, sturdier keyboard, Force Touch trackpad, same price as same spec 13" Air, new colors, USB C.
Negatives: a bit slower than the Air but entry-level buyers shouldn't notice, no magsafe, no illuminated logo, physically smaller than 13" (resolution counters this a bit), only one USB C, no Thunderbolt.
The same thing happened when the Air arrived and people said why would they buy a thinner, lighter, slower Air with one USB port than a basic Macbook. They did buy it though and Apple discontinued the Macbook.
Entry laptops have been lowering heat output more and more. This was the last step. If they'd just added a Retina display to the Macbook Air, some people would have said 'is that it, this should have been done ages ago' and it would get another update to go fanless anyway.
The 12" MB is also 1/3 lighter than the 13" Air despite having a laminated glass display vs plastic. It has the Force Touch trackpad.
There will be a Skylake update, likely before the end of this year, that will counter some performance difference between the MB and Air.
Positives: thinner, lighter, fanless, sturdier keyboard, Force Touch trackpad, same price as same spec 13" Air, new colors, USB C.
Negatives: a bit slower than the Air but entry-level buyers shouldn't notice, no magsafe, no illuminated logo, physically smaller than 13" (resolution counters this a bit), only one USB C, no Thunderbolt.
The same thing happened when the Air arrived and people said why would they buy a thinner, lighter, slower Air with one USB port than a basic Macbook. They did buy it though and Apple discontinued the Macbook.
Good points. Seems like this MacBook is the interim step with quite a few trade-offs (like the original MacBook Air had trade-offs); to be followed by a discontinuation of the "Air" and future MacBooks catching up on performance to alleviate the trade-offs.
A pattern emerges. As is a purchasing strategy...