Review: Apple's all-new 12" MacBook with Retina display
With the launch of its new ultra-portable 12-inch MacBook, Apple has signaled that the future of notebooks is here. The future does indeed look bright, though the initial cost and compromises made in building the new MacBook should keep most people from buying in -- for the first generation, at least.
The new MacBook is astonishingly thin, and yet it still features a gorgeous Retina display of the same caliber found on the company's MacBook pro lineup. Achieving this super-thin design required some engineering ingenuity, but also some compromises.
The new MacBook starts at $1,299 for a base model with 256 gigabytes of storage, a 1.1-gigahertz Intel Core M processor, and 8 gigabytes of RAM. For our review, we tested the high-end model which runs $1,599 and includes 512 gigabytes of storage, a 1.2-gigahertz Intel Core M CPU, and 8 gigabytes of RAM.
Both models feature Intel's integrated HD Graphics 5300 and feature a 2,304-by-1,4400-pixel Retina display, packing in 226 pixels per inch. The display is impressive, and there isn't much more we can say about it that we haven't already said about the same panels found in Apple's MacBook Pro lineup.
Right out of the box, it's immediately clear that the new keyboard feels different. To achieve the ultra-portable design of the MacBook, Apple made shallower keys that do not travel as much as on a traditional MacBook Pro or legacy MacBook Air.
The difference is noticeable, and some keyboard purists who have grown accustomed to the chiclet style keys on Apple's notebooks will be bothered by the change. We weren't so concerned, however.
While the keyboard certainly feels different, we also had no problem adapting to its revised design. We were able to type just as fast and efficiently as on a MacBook Pro. This entire review was written on the new MacBook's keyboard.
In a bit of a strange and clearly aesthetic-driven choice, the Macbook features full-size keys for the left and right arrows, but half-keys for the up and down arrows. As frequent users of the arrow keys, we found ourselves frequently hitting the up key accidentally when we meant to move the cursor downward.
Apple also chose to make the Escape key in the upper left corner elongated. Again, this is presumably purely for aesthetic reasons, to allow the entirety of the keyboard to achieve a rectangular shape with no varying sizes of gaps. It's also backlit.
Of all the compromises made on the new MacBook, we think the keyboard will be one of the least bothersome for users.
We previously had the chance to get accustomed to the Force Touch trackpad on a 13-inch MacBook Pro, and we're pleased to say that the trackpad is no different on the new MacBook. Just as before, it really does feel as though you're clicking the trackpad, even though it barely moves.
Pressing down not only gives the feeling of clicking, but also comes with a soft, satisfying audible sound. Together, it feels just like a traditional trackpad --?but this one can be clicked anywhere, and not just in the bottom half.
The Force Touch trackpad has helped to pave the way for the MacBook's super-thin design, and undoubtedly other future notebooks from Apple. It's an impressive technical achievement, and another "compromise" in design that we wholeheartedly welcome.
We'll get the obvious out of the way: Yes, it only has one port for charging and accessories. Yes, it's new and will require an adapter for most of your legacy devices.
The MacBook is very much inspired by the iPad, as evidenced by the fact that it comes in three colors: silver, gold and space gray. Like the iPad, it also features just two ports: a standard 3.5-millimeter headphone jack, and another for charging and data transfer.
But while the iPad (and iPhone) use Apple's proprietary Lightning connector, the MacBook features a new USB-C connector. And it's just a single connector for charging, syncing, and everything else.
Here's where Apple's vision of the future begins to take hold, and the MacBook's role as a work-focused machine gets diminished.
Apple makes no apologies for the switch to USB-C. That means that the company has not shipped any sort of USB-C adapter or splitter with the machine. Inside the box, you'll get a USB-C to USB-C cable, and a 29-watt USB-C power adapter that looks much like an iPad power adapter.
If you want to use legacy USB devices, or if you want to charge and plug in an accessory at the same time, you'll need to buy your own adapter. Options, at the moment, are limited.
It's not surprising that Apple does not ship any sort of USB-C adapter with the new MacBook. But it also sets the tone that this is not a machine meant for most professional users.
Even more bothersome, to us, is the fact that Apple's single-port design has apparently signaled the end of MagSafe. Long a defining -- and exclusive --?feature of Apple's portable machines, MagSafe has saved our MacBooks from potential disaster countless times.
The reversible USB-C cord is inserted easily, but it does not unplug with such ease. And given the light 2.03-pound body, if someone trips on your MacBook power cord, your new $1,300 notebook will take flight.
If our new USB-C overlords are inevitable, that's fine. USB-C cables and accessories will become available and the port itself won't matter.
Replacing MagSafe, however, feels like a step backwards in some ways. Sure it will allow for cheaper third-party charging cables. But it also kills one of our favorite features from the MacBook lineup. It feels like a compromise that goes just a little too far.
In contrast, the base configuration of Apple's latest MacBook Pro yielded a multi-core score of 6,689. But that laptop also features MagSafe, two Thunderbolt 2 ports, two full-size USB 3.0 ports, an SD card slot, and an HDMI port.
Given the lack of ports and connectivity options on the new MacBook, no serious professional or power user is going to make the diminutive notebook their primary machine. The Intel Core M CPU only drives that point home.
But what about the MacBook Air? Apple recently updated its legacy thin-and-light design with Intel's latest Broadwell processors. Public GeekBench scores for the early 2015 update show the 13-inch model with the cheapest Intel processor scoring 5,186 on the multi-core test.
What the chip does allow Apple to do is achieve the new ultra-thin design. Inside, the MacBook is almost all battery, again taking a design cue from the iPad.
The power-sipping Core M processor also enables the MacBook and its svelte 2-pound frame to still achieve an advertised 9 hours of battery life, thanks to a power draw of just 4.5 watts. Our tests supported Apple's own battery life claims, as we found the new MacBook got through an entire workday at lower brightness with plenty to spare.
In a more extreme test, with maximum brightness and streaming high-definition video, we got around six hours of uptime before the MacBook warned us it needed to be plugged in.
And in a first for an Apple notebook, the new MacBook is completely fanless. Operation of the device is totally silent, and we never encountered any noticeable warmth or heat from using the unit on our lap.
The MacBook is a groundbreaking achievement, and like the first MacBook Air before it, seems poised to set the standard for notebooks going forward.
But also like the MacBook Air before it, Apple's approach feels like it's in need of some refinement.
Prospective buyers of the MacBook will need to ask themselves what they plan to use the notebook for. With just a single port for syncing and charging, and Intel's power-sipping Core M processor, this is clearly not a machine for someone who wants to do a great deal of high-end video and photo editing, for example.
For a more casual user who wants to stay connected on the go, and for whom an iPad just doesn't offer enough functionality, the MacBook is a great choice. But even there, the $1,300 entry price makes it a tough sell.
Apple has done some things to up the value proposition, however. You can't even get a MacBook with less than 256 gigabytes of solid-state storage -- a welcome upgrade befitting of this notebook's premium status.
The construction is also top-notch, and the addition of a high-resolution Retina display sets this apart from Apple's more affordable MacBook Air lineup.
But for just $899, Apple offers the 11-inch MacBook Air, though it lacks a Retina display. And the bulkier -- but more powerful -- MacBook Pro starts at the same $1,299 price as the new MacBook.
Though it's a sign of things to come, for now the MacBook is stuck in the middle, too underpowered for serious users, and too costly for most casual use. Only the most aggressive of early adopters, and those who crave portability above all else, should buy this new MacBook. The rest of the world can wait to catch up to the future.
For those customers who prefer to purchase their new MacBook with AppleCare extended protection, Apple Authorized Reseller Adorama has teamed exclusively with AppleInsider to offer readers between $138 and $144 off the purchase of every 12" MacBook with AppleCare included, as can be seen in our Macs with AppleCare Price Guide (segment below). To take advantage of this offer, first make sure that you take 20 second to register & login to Adorama's free VIP customer program. Then use the pricing links below (or in the Macs with AppleCare Price Guide) and add a MacBook with AppleCare bundle to your cart. During check out (right after shipment info and before payment info) apply Promo Code APINSIDER. This promo code ($50 off) combined with Adorama's instant discounts should deliver the prices advertised below. What's more Adorama will only collect sales tax on your order if you live or NY & NJ, which will save most shoppers an additional $100+. Pre-orders for these bundles are generally being filled within one business week & Apple's Authorized Resellers will only charge a customers card once their order is ready to ship out the door.
The new MacBook is astonishingly thin, and yet it still features a gorgeous Retina display of the same caliber found on the company's MacBook pro lineup. Achieving this super-thin design required some engineering ingenuity, but also some compromises.
The new MacBook starts at $1,299 for a base model with 256 gigabytes of storage, a 1.1-gigahertz Intel Core M processor, and 8 gigabytes of RAM. For our review, we tested the high-end model which runs $1,599 and includes 512 gigabytes of storage, a 1.2-gigahertz Intel Core M CPU, and 8 gigabytes of RAM.
Both models feature Intel's integrated HD Graphics 5300 and feature a 2,304-by-1,4400-pixel Retina display, packing in 226 pixels per inch. The display is impressive, and there isn't much more we can say about it that we haven't already said about the same panels found in Apple's MacBook Pro lineup.
Have keyboard, will travel (less)
Perhaps the most noticeable compromise made in the new MacBook comes in the form of its completely redesigned keyboard. Apple made a big deal out of this change when it unveiled the MacBook last month, and with good reason.Right out of the box, it's immediately clear that the new keyboard feels different. To achieve the ultra-portable design of the MacBook, Apple made shallower keys that do not travel as much as on a traditional MacBook Pro or legacy MacBook Air.
The difference is noticeable, and some keyboard purists who have grown accustomed to the chiclet style keys on Apple's notebooks will be bothered by the change. We weren't so concerned, however.
While the keyboard certainly feels different, we also had no problem adapting to its revised design. We were able to type just as fast and efficiently as on a MacBook Pro. This entire review was written on the new MacBook's keyboard.
In a bit of a strange and clearly aesthetic-driven choice, the Macbook features full-size keys for the left and right arrows, but half-keys for the up and down arrows. As frequent users of the arrow keys, we found ourselves frequently hitting the up key accidentally when we meant to move the cursor downward.
Apple also chose to make the Escape key in the upper left corner elongated. Again, this is presumably purely for aesthetic reasons, to allow the entirety of the keyboard to achieve a rectangular shape with no varying sizes of gaps. It's also backlit.
Of all the compromises made on the new MacBook, we think the keyboard will be one of the least bothersome for users.
Force Touch and Taptic engine
Another redesigned element in the new MacBook is the trackpad, which now features a click-less design that instead emulates the feeling of a click with haptic feedback. The trackpad is also pressure sensitive, meaning new input methods are capable based on how hard a user presses.We previously had the chance to get accustomed to the Force Touch trackpad on a 13-inch MacBook Pro, and we're pleased to say that the trackpad is no different on the new MacBook. Just as before, it really does feel as though you're clicking the trackpad, even though it barely moves.
Pressing down not only gives the feeling of clicking, but also comes with a soft, satisfying audible sound. Together, it feels just like a traditional trackpad --?but this one can be clicked anywhere, and not just in the bottom half.
The Force Touch trackpad has helped to pave the way for the MacBook's super-thin design, and undoubtedly other future notebooks from Apple. It's an impressive technical achievement, and another "compromise" in design that we wholeheartedly welcome.
USB-C: Minimalism creates freedom, frustration
This is where the compromises start to become more serious.We'll get the obvious out of the way: Yes, it only has one port for charging and accessories. Yes, it's new and will require an adapter for most of your legacy devices.
The MacBook is very much inspired by the iPad, as evidenced by the fact that it comes in three colors: silver, gold and space gray. Like the iPad, it also features just two ports: a standard 3.5-millimeter headphone jack, and another for charging and data transfer.
But while the iPad (and iPhone) use Apple's proprietary Lightning connector, the MacBook features a new USB-C connector. And it's just a single connector for charging, syncing, and everything else.
Here's where Apple's vision of the future begins to take hold, and the MacBook's role as a work-focused machine gets diminished.
Apple makes no apologies for the switch to USB-C. That means that the company has not shipped any sort of USB-C adapter or splitter with the machine. Inside the box, you'll get a USB-C to USB-C cable, and a 29-watt USB-C power adapter that looks much like an iPad power adapter.
If you want to use legacy USB devices, or if you want to charge and plug in an accessory at the same time, you'll need to buy your own adapter. Options, at the moment, are limited.
It's not surprising that Apple does not ship any sort of USB-C adapter with the new MacBook. But it also sets the tone that this is not a machine meant for most professional users.
Even more bothersome, to us, is the fact that Apple's single-port design has apparently signaled the end of MagSafe. Long a defining -- and exclusive --?feature of Apple's portable machines, MagSafe has saved our MacBooks from potential disaster countless times.
The reversible USB-C cord is inserted easily, but it does not unplug with such ease. And given the light 2.03-pound body, if someone trips on your MacBook power cord, your new $1,300 notebook will take flight.
If our new USB-C overlords are inevitable, that's fine. USB-C cables and accessories will become available and the port itself won't matter.
Replacing MagSafe, however, feels like a step backwards in some ways. Sure it will allow for cheaper third-party charging cables. But it also kills one of our favorite features from the MacBook lineup. It feels like a compromise that goes just a little too far.
Intel Core M: Yeah, it's slow, but...
The Core M processor in the new MacBook is not fast. In our tests, the high-end model with a 1.2-gigahertz base clock speed earned a 2,393 single-core score in GeekBench, while the multi-core score was 4,800.In contrast, the base configuration of Apple's latest MacBook Pro yielded a multi-core score of 6,689. But that laptop also features MagSafe, two Thunderbolt 2 ports, two full-size USB 3.0 ports, an SD card slot, and an HDMI port.
Given the lack of ports and connectivity options on the new MacBook, no serious professional or power user is going to make the diminutive notebook their primary machine. The Intel Core M CPU only drives that point home.
But what about the MacBook Air? Apple recently updated its legacy thin-and-light design with Intel's latest Broadwell processors. Public GeekBench scores for the early 2015 update show the 13-inch model with the cheapest Intel processor scoring 5,186 on the multi-core test.
What the chip does allow Apple to do is achieve the new ultra-thin design. Inside, the MacBook is almost all battery, again taking a design cue from the iPad.
The power-sipping Core M processor also enables the MacBook and its svelte 2-pound frame to still achieve an advertised 9 hours of battery life, thanks to a power draw of just 4.5 watts. Our tests supported Apple's own battery life claims, as we found the new MacBook got through an entire workday at lower brightness with plenty to spare.
In a more extreme test, with maximum brightness and streaming high-definition video, we got around six hours of uptime before the MacBook warned us it needed to be plugged in.
And in a first for an Apple notebook, the new MacBook is completely fanless. Operation of the device is totally silent, and we never encountered any noticeable warmth or heat from using the unit on our lap.
Conclusion
When we say the MacBook is all-new, we mean it. From top to bottom, this is a reimagining of the modern notebook, with a lot of new technology introduced, and an indication of which directions Apple will head next.The MacBook is a groundbreaking achievement, and like the first MacBook Air before it, seems poised to set the standard for notebooks going forward.
But also like the MacBook Air before it, Apple's approach feels like it's in need of some refinement.
Prospective buyers of the MacBook will need to ask themselves what they plan to use the notebook for. With just a single port for syncing and charging, and Intel's power-sipping Core M processor, this is clearly not a machine for someone who wants to do a great deal of high-end video and photo editing, for example.
For a more casual user who wants to stay connected on the go, and for whom an iPad just doesn't offer enough functionality, the MacBook is a great choice. But even there, the $1,300 entry price makes it a tough sell.
Apple has done some things to up the value proposition, however. You can't even get a MacBook with less than 256 gigabytes of solid-state storage -- a welcome upgrade befitting of this notebook's premium status.
The construction is also top-notch, and the addition of a high-resolution Retina display sets this apart from Apple's more affordable MacBook Air lineup.
But for just $899, Apple offers the 11-inch MacBook Air, though it lacks a Retina display. And the bulkier -- but more powerful -- MacBook Pro starts at the same $1,299 price as the new MacBook.
Though it's a sign of things to come, for now the MacBook is stuck in the middle, too underpowered for serious users, and too costly for most casual use. Only the most aggressive of early adopters, and those who crave portability above all else, should buy this new MacBook. The rest of the world can wait to catch up to the future.
Score: 3.5 out of 5
Pros- The new ultraportable, fanless design is great
- Retina display finally comes to Apple's thin-and-light MacBooks
- New color options, Force Touch trackpad and 256GB minimum storage space
- Loss of MagSafe could lead to a costly accident
- No USB-C adapter, splitter or hub in the box
- Starting at $1,299, the MacBook is expensive for what it offers
How to Save When Buying
Apple's 12-inch MacBook with Retina display remains in tight supply but is available for order with official pricing starting at $1,299 for a base model with a 1.1GHz processor, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB of solid state storage. Models with a 1.3GHz processor and twice the storage fetch $1,749. Several Apple Authorized Resellers are already offering marginal $10 discounts on the MacBook itself, as can be seen in our Mac Price Guide (segment below). Adorama also throws in a free LG Super Drive. In addition to price breaks, some resellers only collect sales tax on orders in a handful of states. B&H Photo, for example, only collect sales tax if you live in NY, while Adorama only collects for customers living in NJ or NY. Similarly, MacMall collects sales tax in CA, CO, GA, IL, MN, NC, NY, TN and WI.For those customers who prefer to purchase their new MacBook with AppleCare extended protection, Apple Authorized Reseller Adorama has teamed exclusively with AppleInsider to offer readers between $138 and $144 off the purchase of every 12" MacBook with AppleCare included, as can be seen in our Macs with AppleCare Price Guide (segment below). To take advantage of this offer, first make sure that you take 20 second to register & login to Adorama's free VIP customer program. Then use the pricing links below (or in the Macs with AppleCare Price Guide) and add a MacBook with AppleCare bundle to your cart. During check out (right after shipment info and before payment info) apply Promo Code APINSIDER. This promo code ($50 off) combined with Adorama's instant discounts should deliver the prices advertised below. What's more Adorama will only collect sales tax on your order if you live or NY & NJ, which will save most shoppers an additional $100+. Pre-orders for these bundles are generally being filled within one business week & Apple's Authorized Resellers will only charge a customers card once their order is ready to ship out the door.
Comments
2. The performance section is odd, to say the least. There's no mention of actual "feel", just usage of Geekbench scores, which is not the end-all. I mean, the 12-core Mac Pro has a score of 32,912, so clearly it's the [I]only[/I] choice for people who do work.
3. This is a first-gen Apple product I don't have the usual fear of early obsolence about, unlike previous models.
4. The MacBook Pro exists for professionals. Someone who does video editing should look there. This review doesn't seem to recognize a whole lot of use cases for this machine, which, I feel, is a perfect daily computer for most people. Personally I'd happily buy one if I was in the market, as the weight savings is splendid.
Most of the negative comments are from people who are not suited for this device. That is what I love about Apple. Stay true to yourself and what you are trying to achieve. If they listened to all the negative chatterboxes we would not have all of the great products they produce.
My hunch is that magsafe is not practical with a very light laptop. I noticed the magnet getting weaker with recent MacBook Airs, and it falls out nearly every time I pick up the machine instead of only when someone trips on the cord. I was glad they replaced it with something that doesn't fall out accidentally so much (which can result in an unanticipated dead battery at inopportune moments).
A few things I didn't love about the review, it mentions the single core and multi core score for the MacBook, but only multi core scores for everything else. Made the MacBook seem slower. Also, when mentioning the loss of mag safe connector, you should mention that all day battery life makes this less of an issue, because you can use all day without wires. I know you mention both, but together would be better.
Getting tired of these latest sets of reviews on performance. They install Geekbench 3 and run it.... I can get that from Geekbench 3 browser..... it provides VERY LITTLE useful information. The Macbook has been out long enough that any reviewer worth their salt can do a more useful performance review. Take several use cases and the set of applications that are typical (in addition to the base applications), use them as they would normally be used..... provide feedback on when the Macbook felt fairly performant -- and in what use cases the Macbook had troubles providing enough performance. Very few people buy a laptop to run Geekbench 3 on it.
One of the real disadvantages is a single port on this new MacBook. Apple should have put in at least 2-3 USB-C connectors, especially because the single USB-C connector is used for charging the battery. Even tethering will be problematic without a USB-C splitter, which is a strange decision on Apple's part. I hope they will reverse this decision in the next generation and will add a few more USB-C ports.
I can't help but see the writing on the wall. This new MacBook is the foundation for the new hybrid device that can function in the tablet and laptop modes. The new keyboard and trackpad will eventually become a standalone part that will be able to dock the tablet to switch to the laptop mode. Such a hybrid device would be very appealing to many; just consider how quickly MS Surface is gaining ground in the professional environment. Microsoft didn't implement the hybrid OS very well, so if Apple figures this sort of hybrid device out, this would become a new significant revenue source for Apple, which may easily replace the traditional iPad.
All the rumors of the iPad Pro along with the release of the new MacBook that was able to achieve very thin keyboard and trackpad point to the convergence of the tablet and the laptop. If Apple is not working on such a hybrid device, they are going to lose this market. The reason iPads are selling less and less is the fact that people can't really find a good application for an expensive tablet. Reading ebooks on a tablet is great, but for eBooks, one can buy a nice Amazon reader. iPad is a very capable device spec-wise, but there's not much one can do with it due to all sorts of software limitations that Apple imposed on it. I really tried to use iPad for work, and I had to sadly admit that it's not fit for what I do at work. I need a full keyboard and a pointing device to be efficient in what I do. However, in certain situation, I would undock the tablet from the keyboard and the pointing device and use it in the pure tablet mode.
Where the 1 port is concerned, this is playing to Apple's wireless future. From phone to pad to laptop to desktop to TV...all seemless, all wireless. What we got accustomed to is plugging our phones into our laptops to charge and/or sync. I tell you what, I don't plug anything into my iPad and things have worked out alright. If I need a file, I just Airdrop or throw it up in a cloud(Dropbox, email, etc). I have about 3 thumb drives in a drawer somewhere and I couldn't even tell you where.
The new MacBooks have a place, especially with students and moms. I'm personally a power junky so the Pro is in my future. But if I just needed something to run my daily business and stay portable, these new machines are pretty sweet.
I noticed the magnet getting weaker with recent MacBook Airs, and it falls out nearly every time I pick up the machine instead of only when someone trips on the cord.
I have this problem too, with my 15" rMBP.
I've been using the new Macbook exclusively for almost a week and really like it. The review scarcely mentions the most important thing about it (imo) -- its screen, which makes it far superior to the Macbook Air. And once you get used to its weight, it's hard to go back to anything else. I just picked up my MBA 11", and it seemed VERY heavy. I was a bit miffed that Apple doesn't include a USB adapter. Fortunately, I ordered one and found that there was no problem at all transferring over 200GB with migration assistant. Using this machine is a different experience, no doubt, but I've had no issues with speed or the trackpad. The keyboard does take a while to get used to.
This will most certainly be my next machine when I'm ready to replace my 4 year old Air.
I initially had ruled the Macbook out as a machine for me, when I tried it out in a local Apple store. Great looking machine, but the smaller screen size and single USB-C port was not desirable. My first reaction to the feel of the keyboard was positive - not just ok, but I liked the feel.
However, since then, I have scheduled a long trip where the Macbook will work great. The small screen, while a disadvantage, allows the Macbook to fit in my iPad bag (alongside an iPad), providing another way to process video on the road. I will need to see how FCP X runs on the machine, but being able to have the laptop with me without bringing a larger bag solves a logistics problem I've had.
I don't think this Macbook was designed to do all things for all people. It will be successful, because there are enough people where compact size and light weight improves life on the road.
Great points about MagSafe. The whining is silly, this thing has 10+ hour battery life, you should just plug it in once a day tops to charge it.
This thing can be used by professionals, there are processing compromises, but photographers will be just fine, shorter videos also.
I do wish there were 2 USB-C ports. I'll probably get the latest version of this machine in 2-3 years to replace my 13" Air. The Space Grey option is cool as hell.
I ordered one for the wife to replace an old Sony Laptop. It will seem blazing fast to her and all she does is scan photos to keep in her library, download music and surf the web and answer emails. It will be her first mac. I had an older 13" MPB but she found it too heavy.
I just dread the learning curve to switch her to a Mac.....
It was this or a new iPad. I see this more or less replacing the iPad for her. She often complained about the lack of that keyboard for the iPad.
The new MacBook keyboard is pretty cool and barely has any travel, but there is enough tactile and auditory feedback to make fast touch typing easy. I'm a fan of mechanical keyboards, and this is definitely closer to that in experience than the vague rubbery feel of most keyboards switches.
The Force Touch trackpad is also pretty sweet, and does an incredible job of pretending to be a normal mechanical switch trackpad.
I think Apple is waiting to see how quickly the MacBook decimates sales of the 13" MacBook Air. That will determine how much longer they'll produce the 13" Air. I assume they'll keep the 11" Air around longer because it can be purchased for $899, and reaches an market that can't spring for the $1299 minimum price of the Retina MacBook.
The Apple Store had Final Cut Pro X installed on all their MacBooks. I found HD video editing wasn't a problem at all on even the base model.
It's an iPad with a keyboard attachment that runs OS X.
So it's a laptop.
But *much* more Air than even the Air.
For a more casual user who wants to stay connected on the go, and for whom an iPad just doesn't offer enough functionality, the MacBook is a great choice.
It makes perfect sense as an addition to the lineup.