Andrew Griffin for the Independent:
Apple has killed off its MacBook, leaving only the Air and Pro in its line-up.
The 12-inch computer was first introduced in 2015, as Apple’s lightest and thinnest computer ever. It went through a number of updates since, but has been largely neglected for the last two years, not receiving any updates while the rest of Apple’s laptop line-up was refreshed.
Now Apple has discontinued the computer, removing it from sale at the same time as announcing new updates for both the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.
MacDailyNews Take: So, no MacBook, eh? Here’s one of the most interesting threads I’ve seen about it… (iBook?)
https://twitter.com/ismh/status/1148575624807800832?s=20
good riddance. The Air was introduced to be the stripped down ultraportable, and then Apple went a bridge to far with the pink overpriced netbook. With one port and a horrible keyboard. We can only hope someone at Apple will regain some sanity to the Mac lineups.
I wouldn’t care less. Only one port is totally useless.
Not at all. I love my Macbook 12, it’s my constant travel and tech computer while on the road and the single port has never been a limitation, at least to me.
That said, compared to the new Air it was over priced. But I didn’t pay full price for mine, I bought a used 2015 model for a great deal and when the keyboard had issues, I took it in for the extended warranty and the repair depot killed the motherboard. Apple replaced the entire machine with a 2017 model which was great service.
Good riddance, but by having temporarily set the MacBook Air price too high, a lot of recent customers remain frustrated for having payed too much. What Apple should do is to gradually lower the price of its products between updates, especially if updates are not forthcoming in due time!!! Then when a new model comes out, reset the price to the original one. That way the MacBook Air (256GB) would never have been above €1099.
Far too logical for you to expect a job in Apple’s marketing Dept Im afraid and Cook would have a heart attack at any such logical suggestion.
Stephen Hackett is right about the logic in the line up now. However what worries me is how over many years they twisted and turned first neglecting the Air now reviving it from near terminal death to instead stab the MacBook a while later. Hardly instills one that there is joined up thinking going on here, more like decisions by committee that changes its make up every 6 months. Its getting a bit like Killing Eve in Apple product discussion meetings these days methinks you just don’t know what is next for the cull and what will survive for a while and how the plot will turn next week.
Still have the old white one, and it still runs good……
I had a white MacBook; loved that machine. Had to replace it after my nephew stepped on it, fracturing the screen. Replaced it with a black MacBook, used that one for years until I got seriously in the photography business. Bought an iMac, rode that one until it was just too limited. Now on my first MacBook Pro.
For a first time in a long time the whole Mac line seems to make sense and feels far more complete.
The iMac Pro probably needs a spec update to better bridge the gap between the standard iMac and the insanely powerful new Mac Pro.
I’m hoping the Mac Pro is the start of more interesting designs. As nice as they look the MacBooks, iMac and Mac mini desperately need a design refresh.
“bridge the gap between the standard iMac and the insanely powerful Mac Pro”
I know what you mean. I’ve written Apple indicating that they need a more Professional type iMac… too bad they haven’t seen fit to create one.
Apple needs a mid range Power Mac tower with i7 and i9 chip options and true user repairability and modest internal expansion. the gulf between the Mini and the new Mac Pro is way too wide. don’t pretend an all in one sealed laptop on a stand addresses the many different needs of users, especially in regards to multiple displays.
For the literal MILLIONS buying Macs today, not sitting on the sidelines grumbling, their needs are being met. Those that don’t have their needs met are buying non-Macs, and all is right in the world.
Looks more like suicide to me…
ARM based Macbooks can now be introduced, at a future date, without further diluting the laptop product line-up.
Intel (or AMD Ryzen?) based Macs for ‘serious’ users, ARM based Macbooks & iDevices for ‘casuals’.
Let’s not forget that the iPad and the ‘pocket-computer-that-also-happens-to-make-phone-calls’, have ARM processors running them; and with Apple’s recent Swift initiative to bring ARM apps to the Mac, we may see more cross-pollination of the two (Intel/ARM) sooner rather than later.
Interesting times…
iPadOS is still nowhere near what macOS can do. Not even close. Then there are the hardware limitations, which are immensely more severe for single-port portables than for proper personal computers. ARM is not the answer.
If one wanted a capable but affordable laptop, the Touchbarless entry level MacBook Pro is the only real choice Apple has offered for a long time. Assuming of course you don’t want to haul around a laptop full of accessories.
Exactly. My wife is a road warrior consultant and she has to carry a big laptop bag to carry all the adapters and junk that Apple used to build nicely into its laptops up until 5 years ago. She hates it.
Also, Apple does NOT offer an all day battery in its laptops if you use them as they are advertised to be used. Never did. Ive’s fashion has always crippled Apple laptops and iPhones. Always!
Never understood why there was both a MacBook and an Air. Both going after the same consumer market, a market that doesn’t like confusion.
Just consantrate on making a good consumer laptop and a really good pro laptop.
I agree with the whisper campaign that there’s a chance that this just might the guise (with a new keyboard and another port or so) via which the first MacBook powered by Apple CPUs shows up in a Mac.
After all, it’s already comparable to an iPad in size and volume.
But I also wouldn’t bet the farm on it….