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Apple MacBook (early 2015)
81
Engadget Review
With its two-pound design, stunning screen and surprisingly comfortable keyboard, the new 12-inch MacBook offers a glimpse at the possible future of laptops. For now, though, its high price and lack of ports make it an expensive novelty, mostly meant for Mac diehards who put portability and screen quality above all else.
Pros
- Attractive design, well-built
- Extremely thin and light
- Fast disk speeds and startup times
- Surprisingly comfortable keyboard
- Gorgeous display
- Includes more storage and memoryat this price than many rival machines
Cons
- Less comfortable touchpad than on other laptops
- Only one USB Type-Cport; adapters sold separately
- Can get warm on the bottom
View All Critic & User Reviews
Apple MacBook (early 2015)
- Critic Reviews (10)
- User Reviews (6)
- 78AVERAGE CRITIC SCORE10 ReviewsEngadget80MacBook review: Apple reinvents the laptop againThe new 12-inch MacBook offers a glimpse at the possible future of laptops. For now, though, its high price and lack of ports make it an expensive novelty, mostly meant for Mac diehards who put portability and screen quality above all else.Recode70Apple’s New MacBook: Making a Sacrifice for UltrIn a few years, we may look back on this laptop’s missing USB ports like we look back on the original MacBook Air’s absent Ethernet port or missing optical disk drive ... thinking, “Who needed that?” We’re just not quite there yet.The Wall Street Journal70Apple MacBook Review: The Laptop of the Future IsnOver the next few years, it will improve, and become an affordable, indispensable tool for life in the future. But here, now, in the present day, there are more practical slim, everyday laptop choices.Macworld80Review: The new 12-inch MacBook is a laptop withouThe new MacBook is the future of Apple laptops. The Force Touch trackpad, Retina display, and 2 pound weight make up for the MacBook's weak keyboard and slower performance, but not everyone can live on the cutting edge.CNET80Apple MacBook (12-inch, 2015) review: A minimalistIf you can live with its limitations, the new 12-inch MacBook delivers a groundbreaking design that points the way to the next chapter in laptops.TechCrunch802015 MacBook ReviewFor people looking for a mobile Mac to complement their desktop machine, and for those who aren’t sending their whole day on their Macs for work (meaning likely the vast majority of general consumers), this is a future-oriented notebook that is just as effective in the present, too.Wired80Review: Apple MacBookThe MacBook is a work in progress: The processor and the battery will improve, and the price will drop. It won’t take long. The future’s getting here faster than you think.Mashable80The MacBook ReviewThe MacBook, as it exists today, is really for a very particular group of people who want the thinnest, lightest MacBook they can get. It's not intended to be a professional machine — though I can see this as a new standard issue for some executives, those who value portability above all.The Verge8012-inch MacBook review Invention and compromiseIf history is any guide, all of those problems will go away — and more quickly than you probably expect. When they do, I'll be using this MacBook. The MacBook. Hurry up, future. Hurry the hell up.Bloomberg80Review: Apple's Ultra-Thin New MacBookThis machine isn't for everyone, particularly those who expect extremes from their devices. Still, if you prioritize style, need something ultraportable, and don’t mind trading power for a crisp and clear Retina display, then the perfect computer may have arrived.
- 90AVERAGE USER SCORE6 ReviewsEngadget Reader100October 10, 2015Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A gadget unicorn - EngadgetEngadget Reader90August 20, 2015Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90May 14, 2015Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Excellent laptop that can act as a primary computer if the storage is high enough. The speed of the solid state drive and the 8GB or RAM make up for the slower processor. All in all, the experience of the Macbook is greater than the sum of its parts. It is a tool that is beautiful and functional. Fit and finish are amazing.Engadget Reader90May 9, 2015Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Model: 1.2 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, Space GrayUsage: This is a second machine for me that i use when i am in meeting or out and about. my main machine is desktop. I also use a Surface Pro 3. I use Office 365, One Drive where most of my documents live and One Note.the one USB C Port: Yes, the machine has one port for everything. i would like to have had a dedicated power port or even a second port on the other side of the machine. But really for me at least, its not a big deal. Most of my pictures i take with my phone and they are back up on light almost as quickly as i take them. My music is something i stream. My documents are in cloud storage. Software is also something i download to install. Outside of the occasional thumb drive i don’t really use the USB ports on my machine. Even on my iMac my mouse and keyboard are bluetooth. I did buy the USB C to USB adapter incase i need it.New Track Pad: Yes, force touch is interesting and cool but you really can’t do a lot with it. Maybe in a few months to years are other software companies take advantage of it will be more useful but right now its just cool. I like the size of it and that no matter where you press, it is recognized.New Keyboard: Now this took a little getting used to. The keys don’t go down as far as they would no a macbook pro or an Apple wireless keyboard or even a Microsoft sculpt keyboard. The keys are wider which i was surprised to find was not as big an issue as i expected. I thought the wider keys would give me more problems then the depth of they key stoke. But i find myself missing the click and clatter from my old keyboard. the wider keys are something that i find is OK and has not affected my typing at all. I tend to type using 10 fingers and while looking up at the presenter and trusting that I am trying properly and i have to say I am and after the 1st few minutes of being worried about my tying it has become a non issue.Intel’s Core M Processor: Here is where i was expecting to run into some issues. after reading reviews on line i was expecting the Macbook to be just OK for web browning and writing e-mail. But i was surprised to find it works fine while running the current Beta of Outlook, One Note and Excel at the same time and usually safari with a few tabs open. I have even installed VM Ware Fusion Pro 7 and i am running a Windows 10 VM. The only place i have really noticed any lag is when installing updates or installing programs and this applies to be both the VM and the Yosemite. I have noticed a little lag when running Visio in the VM and the other office apps on Yosemite as well as a bit of a battery hit but again nothing that would leaving me feeling the processor was really falling short or warrant too much concern.The Screen: By this point i think most people have seen the Retina screen on a Macbook Pro. Not much to add here, the screen is great and it is the screen I have been waiting for Apple to add to the Macbook Air line since they fist showed us the Retina screen on a Macbook Pro.My Summary:Overall I am pleasantly surprised with the Macbook. It is a small, lite weight, has a great screen and i am getting a full day of battery life from regular use. I thought the Macbook Air would be the machine for me but after using this one the Air just feel big, and old. With the Retina screen i just don’t see reason to get an Air over the Macbook.For the average user that doesn’t install additional software outside of what apple gives them i think the Macbook would be a good choice especially those that want a small computer. I don’t edit vido i mostly take photos from my phone and have not any issue touching them up but most any real editing of a photo i do on my iMac or Surface Pro 3. For most people i tell to by at least 8GB of RAM and at least 256 of HD space and the entry level of the Macbook includes that. i would warn you of the processor only in that it is not as fast as the other mac lines and that it just doesn’t have the same power as the Pro line. Also depending on your usage you are going to get more than likely some where between 6 and 10 hours out of your battery. But overall i like the machine and would have no issues recommending it to some that was OK with the price tag.Engadget Reader80May 7, 2015Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Every year, laptops have become thinner, and more efficient. Apple has been going hardcore to create much thinner laptops for the consumer market. The new Macbook 12 Retina has now been in the center of attention as the thinnest laptop made by Apple, measuring only 0.52 inches at its thickest point. The display size is 12 inches, weighing 2.03 pounds and packs a retina display along with it to enchant your experience. The retina display is 2304-by-1440 resolution, with 226 pixels per inch across the screen. The processor isn't so hot though. Since the laptop is so thin, Apple made the laptop without any fans. They use the Intel M processor to keep the laptop cool with out moving, and also this is the most quiet laptop out there. The power for this laptop is compared with the Macbook Air 2011, so this isn't a laptop for intensive use. The Macbook is wanted to be used for multitasking, so Apple stuffed in 8GB of RAM, and also 256GB of SSD to store your files. This laptop uses the Intel HD Graphic 5300 and has 802.11ac wireless wifi along with a Bluetooth 4.0. Due to its thinnest, the laptop cannot fit a USB into the sides of the laptop, but it comes with a headphone jack and a USB-C, which is were you charge your laptop and also where you put in your USB's and HDMI. This laptop by Apple, went to a extreme road of thinnest. I do not recommend this laptop if you will be using it for iMovie, video editing or anything that have intensive work. This is a laptop for your everyday entertainment and web browsing, not for heavy business use. But still, i have to give it to Apple. The Macbook 12 Retina comes in white, space grey or gold and starts at a price of $1299.Engadget Reader90May 5, 2015Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Model: 1.3 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, SilverUsage: I use my laptop for 2-3 hours a day for medical records/research, internet browsing, email, and office productivity. I have owned the MacBook for about a week.Early Review Disclaimer: I eagerly read just about every major outlet's early MacBook review so I could get a sense of what I was getting myself into. But, I always like seeing user reviews to see what real world use is like. I wanted to put up an early review in the hopes that it may be helpful to anyone considering a purchase. I would like to provide my early impressions and then place an addendum after a few weeks of daily use.Introduction: I am a bit of a computer nerd, as are most people that would be reading gadget reviews on the internet. I have always owned the highest end configuration of PowerBook/MacBook Pro as far back as my very first G4 PowerBook in high school. I always told myself that I needed the best and fastest computer out there in case I needed to edit videos or play video games. Honestly, I have done a little bit of those things here and there, and I still have a nice MacBook Pro in case I ever need to do those things again. But, as I have started my professional life, I have found that I truly value portability above all else. Carrying a computer every day makes each ounce of weight seem like a big deal. I have long fancied a MacBook Air, but after having a retina display on all my other devices for a few years, the idea of having a non-retina display on a machine that costs at least $1500 didn't seem right to me. So, the MacBook came along and seemed like the perfect option for me. I've been using it as my daily work machine for about a week now, and I've really enjoyed it so far. I'd like to address a few of the key issues that I've seen discussed around the internet on various forums so that this review is helpful.One Port: I plug things into my MacBook Pro a few times per month. When I come back from a family event, I plug in my DSLR. Occasionally, I pull some photos to share with friends or family. I plug in my iPod every few weeks to sync music. Other than that, everything I do is wireless or online (Google drive, DropBox, iCloud, etc.). I don't use a wireless mouse or other accessories. I did purchase a USB-C adapter to transfer over big files from my old computer, but it's not really that big of a hassle to carry a little adapter in my bag. The whole complaint of "a bag full of dongles and wires and adapters" is nonsense. Most days, I don't have to carry a power cord, because the battery easily lasts all day. A 3 inch adapter weighs a few ounces and is not a hassle to keep handy in a small zipper pocket of my satchel. If these conditions do not apply to you, then you will be frustrated. It's as simple as that. The way that I see the average person use a computer does not include a huge amount of devices. I honestly do not miss the additional ports, and I doubt I ever will. If you need multiple ports, then the MacBook is just not the right machine for you.Keyboard: As a lifelong primary Mac user, the new keyboard is rather odd at first. I don't really buy into the marketing pitch that the "amazing butterfly mechanism will revolutionize your life", but I have really grown to enjoy the keyboard. The keys have much less travel than on any previous Macintosh. However, the keys are larger, optimally laid out, and do not wiggle. Each keystroke feels firm, and I make fewer mistakes than I did on my MacBook Pro. If you are very particular about keyboards, you might not like this keyboard. I've seen many reviews that are very polarizing regarding the keyboard. I think if you are flexible and try to get used to it, you will likely grow to enjoy it. Your mileage will vary, but I am very satisfied with the new keyboard.Trackpad: I like the size of the new trackpad, and the taptic engine is a neat little trick. I don't really understand the hullaballoo about the trackpad. To me, it feels like the trackpad on every other Macintosh, only this one has an engineering fix so it can be incredibly thin. I do not think this is a make or break item when it comes to owning this computer. The keyboard is much more of a radical change than the trackpad.Core M: This was one of the most problematic issues for me going into my purchase. I have never owned a computer without the highest end chip available at the time of purchase. In retrospect, I never really used anywhere near the full power of any of my last 3-4 machines. I cheated a little bit and got the special configuration of the 1.3 GHz, so I can't speak for the slightly slower 1.1 GHz and 1.2 GHz chips, but I don't imagine that they would be significantly different. I run 3-5 programs at a time, and my daily operation is smooth and snappy. I don't notice lag or slowdown or whatever else I was afraid of happening. If you want to push this computer into the dirt with photo or video editing applications, or try and run Crysis on maximum settings on Steam, then this computer will not make you happy. It's pretty simple. If you want to put a square peg in a round hole, you will not succeed. By the same token, trying to use a machine for something it isn't designed to do is a fruitless endeavor. I have not noticed any problems whatsoever with the processor speed, and I anticipate using this as my primary portable machine for the next several years.Bottom Line: I am a long-term Apple fan. I own pretty much every Apple product, so in the interest of full disclosure, I happen to like their products. At the end of the day, if you are like 90% (maybe more) of average computer users, you will be satisfied with this machine. If the idea of having one port seriously bums you out or you need to use professional level software, this probably isn't the right choice for you. For everyone else, I think you will greatly enjoy this superbly designed ultraportable machine.
Key Specs
TYPE
Ultraportable
SCREEN SIZE
1222
SCREEN RESOLUTION
Other
BUNDLED OS
Mac OS
PROCESSOR SPEED
1.119
SYSTEM RAM
81
POINTING DEVICE
Trackpad
VIDEO OUTPUTS
Displayport, Hdmi, Vga
MAXIMUM BATTERY LIFE
Up to 1020
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