14 DAY TRIAL // Apple is currently live at its “Spring Forward” event and the announcements have started pouring in. As was previously rumored, the Cupertino tech giant has taken the opportunity to roll out a new and completely redesigned 12-inch MacBook with Retina display.
The new laptop is taking portability standards to new heights, coming in with a 13.1 mm / 0.51 inches waist (its thickest point) and breaking the scales at just 2 lbs / 907 g.
Compared to the previous-gen MacBook Air models, the new laptop is 24% thinner. Apple follows the installed trend of slimming down its products with every new generation and the 12-inch MacBook is no exception.
Finally, the Retina display arrives on MacBook models
The newcomer is the first model to bring 2,304 x 1,440 pixel resolution to the MacBook line (Retina quality). That’s not the only novelty you'll notice on the 12-inch laptop, as the device also comes equipped with a trackpad called Force Touchpad which has been engineered to be more pressure sensitive. Based on the amount of pressure you inflict on it, the pad can bring up different options.
As for hardware, Apple has managed to put Intel’s Core M chips (1.2GHz dual-core with Intel HD Graphics 5300) under the hood of the lappy, which means there is no fan factored into the equation.
Compared to the 11-inch MacBook Air, the 12-inch logic board has been shrunk by an impressive 67%.
Furthermore, we're told that a new system of contoured batteries which have been designed in layers to better fit in the MacBook’s airtight frame sustains the device. This way, Apple has also managed to increase battery life and now promises a full cycle of up to 9 hours of web browsing.
When it comes to connectivity, the Cupertino-based tech giant replaces standard USB as well as DisplayPort, HDMI and VGA inputs with the new USB Type-C plug on (a smaller, new and reversible version of USB 3.0).
The new MacBook arrives in Silver, Space Gray and Gold editions and will start selling on April 10. Prices start at $1,299 / €1,119 a pop.
