Apple Updates 12-Inch MacBook With Skylake Processors, Faster Graphics, Longer Battery Life, and Rose Gold

Apple today announced that it has released new 12-inch MacBook models with the latest sixth-generation Skylake dual-core Intel Core M processors up to 1.3 GHz, new Intel HD Graphics 515 that deliver up to 25% faster performance, faster PCIe-based flash storage, an additional hour of battery life, and faster 1866 MHz memory.

12-inch-MacBook-Rose-Gold-color
The ultra-thin notebook has the same all-metal unibody enclosure that remains 13.1 mm thick and weighs just 2 pounds, with a full-sized butterfly mechanism keyboard and Force Touch trackpad. Like the original model, the new 12-inch MacBook is also fanless and has no moving parts or vents.

The notebook continues to have a 12-inch display with a 2,304-by-1,440 resolution at 226 PPI, single USB 3.1 Type-C port, 256GB or 512GB flash storage, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, a 480p FaceTime camera, stereo speakers, dual microphones, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The one-hour improvement to battery life, which is now up to 10 hours, was achieved not only by more efficient Skylake processors, but also due to a larger 41.4-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery. The original 12-inch MacBook has a slightly smaller 39.7-watt-hour battery that lasts up to 9 hours per charge.

The refreshed 12-inch MacBook models are available through Apple's online store starting today, and at Apple retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers starting tomorrow. The base 1.1GHz Core m3 model costs $1,299, while the faster 1.2GHz Core m5 model costs $1,599. The 1.3GHz Core m7 is a $250 upgrade.

In addition to Rose Gold, the 12-inch MacBook remains available in existing Gold, Silver, and Space Gray colors.

Apple has also made 8GB of memory standard across all 13-inch MacBook Air configurations.

Related Forum: MacBook

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Top Rated Comments

Steve121178 Avatar
119 months ago
Still a single USB-C port (FFS!)
Intel HD Graphics 515
480p FaceTime camera (is this some sort of sick joke?)
No DDR4 RAM
Score: 93 Votes (Like | Disagree)
justperry Avatar
119 months ago
Barely 1 minute in and already >10 complainers.
If you complain it is NOT for you.
Score: 81 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dead0k Avatar
119 months ago
wat ?!

again 1 USB-C even without thunderbolt support ? #fail
Score: 80 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Brad9893 Avatar
119 months ago
Cue the wailing and gnashing of the teeth from people expecting TB3 and a 2nd USB-C port...
Score: 57 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ursadorable Avatar
119 months ago
Good.. how about updating the Mac Mini and Mac Pro now?
Score: 48 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JDW Avatar
119 months ago
Barely 1 minute in and already >10 complainers.
If you complain it is NOT for you.
Barely 2 minutes into it and here we have a complainer complaining about the complainers! At least the complainers complain about the Mac. You are complaining about people.

I actually come here to read the complaints. I wish Apple would. Maybe that would inspire a bit more innovation. This update is a big let down.
Score: 40 Votes (Like | Disagree)