Along with accepting pre-orders for the Apple Watch, Apple has also begun accepting orders for the new 12-inch Retina MacBook through its online store. Orders are available through the website and through the Apple Store app.
Shipping estimates for most pre-configured MacBook models are currently at one to three days, while custom configurations will ship in three to four weeks. Shipping estimates for the high-end gold MacBook have slipped to three to four weeks.
The 12-inch Retina MacBook features Apple's latest technology, with an ultra thin chassis that's 0.31mm thick (a half-inch), a Retina display, a Force Touch trackpad that enables a range of new gestures, a thinner keyboard with larger keys stabilized by a new butterfly design, a single USB-C port, and a low-power Core M processor that lets it operate without a fan for silent performance.
Reviews of the new MacBook came out on Thursday morning and are worth a read before purchasing the new MacBook. Many reviewers have compared it to the first-generation MacBook Air, praising its cutting-edge design while highlighting some of the performance compromises compared to the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro.
The machine's Core M processor lags behind the more powerful Intel-based processors available in Apple's other notebooks, but it runs all modern apps (including those like Photoshop and Final Cut Pro). It is, however, noticeably slower, which may be a concern for users who use system intensive tasks on a regular basis. For day to day use, many reviewers found it more than adequate, but there was a general consensus suggesting that it's somewhat impractical in its current incarnation, given the price to performance ratio.
The Retina MacBook is available in three colors: Silver, Gold, and Space Gray. It's available in two configurations at two price points. The entry-level model ships with a 1.1GHz processor, 8GB of memory, Intel Graphics 5300 HD, and 256GB of flash storage for $1,299. The higher-end model includes a 1.2GHz processor, 8GB of memory, Intel Graphics 5300 HD, and 512GB of flash storage for $1,599.
Both models offer an optional processor upgrade, boosting the 1.1GHz processor to 1.2 or 1.3GHz, and boosting the 1.2GHz processor to 1.3GHz.
Top Rated Comments
Got to the cart with the 512GB model and applecare. Saw it was just about $2k. Decided that was $500 too much for too many compromises.
Bought an Apple Watch instead.
Actually, try 13mm. 31mm would be quite unimpressive (over an inch)
They'll get there. Eject the battery, keyboard and screen and sell what's left as a Macbook Nano for the same kind of pricing, "thinnest & lightest Macbook ever".
I joke (but probably not).
My customised Air is brilliant. More powerful, much longer battery life, better connectivity. I think I'd save my money and stick with that rather than go for this. Maybe in a few versions time I may consider, perhaps.