Apple MacBook 12 (Early 2016) 1.2 GHz
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Average of 10 scores (from 16 reviews)
Reviews for the Apple MacBook 12 (Early 2016) 1.2 GHz
Source: Techradar Archive.org version
Apple has given the MacBook's performance a much-needed boost, and it helps OS X zip along much better. Its critical flaws remain, but the 2016 version is less of a risk than it was last year. We just wish it was a bit cheaper.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/11/2017
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Laptop Mag Archive.org version
The updated MacBook packs more performance and battery life into a wonderfully thin and light design, but Apple didn't address the biggest drawbacks.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/28/2016
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Tab Times Archive.org version
As a Mac user of many years, the 12-inch Macbook definitely requires a compromise in the way I work. For example, my 15-inch Macbook Pro with Retina Display powers a two screen set up and the Macbook 2016 is incapable of doing that, especially as none of Apple’s official adapters currently offer DisplayPort functionality. Ironically, Google makes a USB Type-C to DisplayPort adapter that is perfect for this task, but with the limitations of a single port, the Macbook doesn’t stack up to my particular usage.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/09/2016
Rating: Total score: 83%
Source: Pocket Lint Archive.org version
The 12-inch MacBook has divided opinion since day one, having done-away with a full-size USB port for the smaller USB Type-C. A couple of years down the line and this will be a more standard format, but the bigger issue is the MacBook's persistence to offer just one of these ports for both charging and connectivity. If you're a casual or cloud-based user that won't be a big issue though. Just as we said of the first iteration: the 12-inch MacBook is all about portability; it's a laptop so thin, so sleek, so light, that everything else has been pushed by the wayside.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/21/2016
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Techradar Archive.org version
Apple has given the MacBook's performance a much-needed boost, and it helps OS X zip along much better. Its critical flaws remain, but the 2016 version is less of a risk than it was last year. We just wish it was a bit cheaper.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/20/2016
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Laptop Mag Archive.org version
The 2016 MacBook is certainly an improvement over its predecessor. It's significantly faster, especially if you opt for the Core m5 model, and it lasts an hour longer on a charge, all while being extremely portable. I also continue to love the Retina display and don't really mind the flat butterfly keyboard.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 05/02/2016
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Slashgear Archive.org version
I'll be sticking with my first-gen MacBook, then, though that's not going to stop me recommending it to those who travel frequently, have mainstream needs for processing, and who are willing to pay a premium for OS X on a notebook that's still a relatively rare sight in the wild. Apple doesn't expect it to be the Mac for every user: that's why it's not the only Mac. Just make sure you're going into it with your eyes wide open.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 05/02/2016
Source: It Pro Archive.org version
The 12in Retina MacBook isn’t for everyone. If you value portability and battery life above all and predominately use wireless peripherals as well as cloud apps and storage, then this MacBook will be a great fit. If you use lots of demanding applications, need to connect lots of wired peripherals or just can’t get on with the low-travel keyboard, then one of Apple’s more conventional MacBooks will be a better choice.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 04/29/2016
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Engadget Archive.org version
Apple deserves credit for improving the MacBook's battery life and disk speeds, but other than that, this is, for better and worse, the same machine as last year's model. If you previously shied away from the 12-inch MacBook because of the "one port" thing, this still isn't the laptop for you.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 04/25/2016
Rating: Total score: 82%
Source: Laptop Mag Archive.org version
The 2016 MacBook is certainly an improvement over its predecessor. It's significantly faster, especially if you opt for the Core m5 model, and it lasts an hour longer on a charge, all while being extremely portable. I also continue to love the Retina display and don't really mind the flat butterfly keyboard.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 04/22/2016
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: CNet Archive.org version
In hands-on use, the new MacBook feels almost exactly like the previous version. If you've got the 2015 MacBook, there's no need to upgrade, but if you were holding off to see what the second generation looked like, the potential boost to performance and battery life makes me feel even more confident about using this as primary laptop, especially for frequent travelers.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 04/21/2016
Rating: Total score: 84% performance: 80% mobility: 80%
Foreign Reviews
Source: Notebooksbilliger Blog DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 06/08/2016
Source: Spiegel Online DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 05/30/2016
Source: Mobileimho.ru RU→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Slim size; good hardware; nice performance; long battery life. Negative: Relatively high price.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 04/06/2017
Source: 3DNews.ru RU→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Quite noticeably increased productivity; good enough for common tasks; compact size. Negative: Outdated design; relatively slow SSD.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 07/12/2016
Source: Ferra.ru RU→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Density; good keyboard and trackpad; good display; good autonomy. Negative: Weak performance; poor connectivity; expensive.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 06/21/2016
Comment
Series: The Apple MacBook 12 is a Macbook with 12 inch display for productivity on the go with 1.2 GHz dual-core Intel Core m5 processor (Turbo Boost up to 2.7 GHz) with 4 MB L3 cache, Intel HD Graphics 515, 8 GB of 1866 MHz LPDDR3 RAM, 512 GB PCIe-based onboard flash storage. Its unique 12-inch Retina display with LED backlight and IPS technology delivers sharp and high definition images. The display features a resolution of 2304 x 1440 pixels and pixel density of 226 pixels per inch.
The Apple Macbook 12 runs on Apple’s latest operating system, which is the Apple El Capitan OSX 10.11.4. It features a full-sized Chiclet keyboard with LED backlight, including 12 function keys and four arrow keys with ambient light sensor. With only 0.92 kg (2.03 pounds), it is really light and suitable for users on the go. The Apple Macbook 12 is equipped with a 480p FaceTime camera, stereo speakers, dual microphones and a 3.5 mm headphone jack for multimedia use. As for connectivity, there are a USB-C port, which supports charging, USB 3.1 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gb/s transfer speed) and a native DisplayPort 1.2 video out.
Intel HD Graphics 515: Integrated GPU (GT2) with 24 EUs found on Core-m-CPUs of the Skylake generation (4,5 W TDP).
Non demanding games should be playable with these graphics cards.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.
6Y54: Skylake-based ULV dual-core processor for tablets and 2-in-1 notebooks. Offers an integrated HD Graphics 515 GPU and is manufactured in 14 nm.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.
12.00":
This is a standard display format for tablet computers or small convertibles. You see more on the screen than on a smartphone but you can't use big resolutions well. On the other hand, mobility is not a problem.
» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.Apple: Apple is a US company founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, the company is known for its innovative products such as the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, and manufactures computers and consumer electronics as well as operating systems and application software. Apple is also a leading provider of software and services such as the App Store, iTunes and iCloud.
Apple has earned a reputation as a company that focuses on design and ease of use. As for their notebooks, they are mostly in the high-priced segment, have their own operating system, but also run Windows on the newer Macbooks.
Apple is one of the most valuable companies in the world and has a loyal following of customers and fans. The company also has a strong presence in the entertainment industry, with services like Apple Music and Apple TV+. In 2023, Apple had an approximate 8% market share of global PC sales, ranking it 4th after Lenovo, HP, and Dell.
77.9%: This rating is not earth-shattering. This rating must actually be seen as average, since there are about as many devices with worse ratings as better ones. A purchase recommendation can only be seen with a lot of goodwill, unless it is about websites that generally rate strictly.
» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.