There’s a glimmer of excellent information for followers of Apple’s tiniest MacBook, as studies counsel the corporate hasn’t fully dominated out the thought of reintroducing the 12-inch mannequin.
Whereas it’s removed from a certainty, a publish on the Korean weblog Naver dug up by MacRumors is bringing again the concept the 12-inch MacBook design might certainly be making a comeback. The publish comes from a identified supply, ”yeux1122”, which has a blended observe document relating to Apple rumours however has nonetheless often been appropriate previously.
The publish cites sources inside Apple’s provide chain who point out that a minimum of some pre-production actions are underway for the brand new machine; nevertheless, Apple apparently hasn’t but determined whether or not it is going to see the sunshine of day.
If Apple’s administration provides the 12-inch MacBook the inexperienced mild, it might transfer into mass manufacturing as quickly because the second half of this yr, which might lead to a launch in late 2023 or early 2024.
This newest hearsay differs from the extra strong studies we’ve heard of the upcoming launch of a 15-inch MacBook Air and nearly actually refers to a completely totally different class of machine, though it’s unclear whether or not Apple would convey it again below the plain “MacBook” identify.
The awkward historical past of the 12-inch MacBook
The unique 12-inch MacBook was launched in early 2015 as an ultra-compact laptop computer that, considerably sarcastically, stuffed the identical place in Apple’s lineup as the unique 2008 MacBook Air — the one which Steve Jobs famously pulled out of a manila envelope throughout that’s yr’s Macworld keynote.
At the moment, the MacBook Air was the thinnest and lightest laptop computer that had ever been made, whereas the usual MacBook was the clunkier and all-plastic little brother to Apple’s extra highly effective MacBook Professional.
By 2015, these roles had been reversed, as the unique MacBook had ridden off into the sundown years earlier, supplanted by the MacBook Air as Apple’s broad entry-level mannequin. So, when it got here time for Apple to indicate off one other super-thin and light-weight design, it resurrected the identify “MacBook” for a brand new 12-inch mannequin that shed each ounce attainable.
The 12-inch MacBook was Apple’s first fanless laptop computer, constructed with an Intel chip years earlier than Apple’s M1 allowed the way more highly effective MacBook Air to comply with go well with. It additionally embraced the USB-C port and have become the mannequin to introduce Apple’s notorious butterfly keyboard — a problematic design that may ultimately come to most of Apple’s MacBooks and spawn a number of class-action lawsuits.
Nonetheless, that wasn’t the largest downside with the 12-inch MacBook, a minimum of not again then. As an alternative, like the unique ultra-thin MacBook Air that had come seven years earlier, it was a product that solely appealed to a comparatively small viewers: people who prized excessive portability over energy. In spite of everything, the 13-inch MacBook Air wasn’t that a lot larger, but it supplied extra choices and higher efficiency — a niche that shortly widened to the purpose the place the 12-inch MacBook turned much more of a distinct segment product.
It additionally didn’t assist that Apple’s clients had fairly a couple of extra choices than they did in 2008. The unique MacBook Air launched two years earlier than the primary iPad, whereas the 12-inch MacBook got here out solely months earlier than the 12.9-inch iPad Professional and a yr earlier than the primary 9.7-inch iPad Professional. Whereas a Mac was a way more versatile machine than an iPad again then, many of us searching for the final word in portability didn’t want every little thing macOS needed to supply.
Apple solely launched two annual updates to the 12-inch MacBook in 2016 and 2017. These have been little greater than spec bumps to convey it as much as the current-gen Intel chips for every of these years. Following two extra years of neglect — and a few extra spectacular updates to the MacBook Air — the 12-inch MacBook was quietly discontinued in the summertime of 2019.
Might the 12-inch MacBook Return?
Though this newest hearsay has but to be corroborated, it’s not with out some advantage. Rumours have been circulating for the previous couple of years that Apple is engaged on an excellent thinner and lighter MacBook, and whereas some have assumed that may be the MacBook Air, that half is generally hypothesis.
Final June, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman shared predictions for Apple’s Mac lineup, suggesting {that a} 12-inch MacBook was on the horizon. Nonetheless, Gurman extra lately mentioned that this machine now not appeared on the roadmap, however he additionally didn’t rule out the likelihood that Apple may nonetheless be engaged on it. This may line up with the more moderen claims that Apple is a minimum of significantly toying with the thought, though the timeline for a launch could also be a bit optimistic; it appears the 12-inch MacBook is extra prone to land later in 2024 than anytime this yr.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]