New compact MacBook: This could expect the old one, we expect from the new one

Apple seems to finally plan a (very) compact MacBook again, at least to take it seriously. Accordingly, the model could go into mass production in the fourth quarter. The idea seems to be to revive the format of the MacBook with 12 inches, which Apple had in the program from 2015 to 2019. This was actually considered the ideal candidate for a first portable with Apple-Silicon chip. But Apple never implemented the idea.

That was the MacBook with 12 inches

The MacBook with 12 inches was an ultra -compact and light device that weighed under one kilo and almost only consisted of keyboard and screen. It was particularly ideal for travelers: the screen was large enough and the keyboard was sufficiently dimensioned to at least do office work. The only disturbing was the comparatively slow Intel chip without a fan. You didn’t want to do any video editing or other intensive applications with the machine. Apple developed several generations in the four years of existence, which then received faster processors.

However, the MacBook with 12 inches was not perfect. In addition to the said performance problem, Apple also built its problematic butterfly keyboard, which led to many failures. The device did not have a real successor – the MacBook Air with 13 inches, which is significantly heavier and more voluminous, is considered a replacement. It is unclear why Apple never launched a real successor to his compact MacBook.

Planned hardware according to the rumor mill

The new MacBook should now be equipped with 13 instead of 12 -inch screen. It remains to be hoped that the additional area does not lead to the hardware (much) heavier and larger than the old Intel variant, because then it would also fit less into the program. Hope is a particularly thin and light device. Ming-Chi Kuo, analyst at TF International Securities with good contacts in Apple’s supply chain, had applied the speculation. According to its information, the new model will not receive a M-chip, as otherwise Apple installs it in Macs, but the A18 Pro from the iPhone 16 Pro. This tactic would not be completely new: the very first Apple-Silicon device, a Mac Mini especially for developers, came with the iPad-Pro-Chip A12Z. The A18 Pro is said to be a good 40 percent slower (overall calculated) than the M4. The level is likely to be on the M1 – but with better graphics performance. This was absolutely sufficient when Apple Silicon was introduced five years ago. Nowadays you would like faster hardware.

However, the new compact MacBook should also be quite cheap, possibly start at $ 700. This would compete with the MacBook Air M1, which is offered by individual dealers at this price, but is no longer officially listed by Apple. RAM equipment and SSD are still interesting. The A18 Pro currently uses 8 GB in the iPhone, but Macs are now always equipped with 16 GB of RAM by Apple. With the SSD, however, Apple could – as is unfortunately common – buckle. The old MacBook with 12 inches was primarily intended for mobile users who use office applications and web apps-this should also stay that way. Only significantly more performing than then.