A price drop today on Apple's 12" MacBook. $1,349 for the 1.1GHz Core M version with 256GB SSD. Available in Space Gray, Gold or Silver. Limit 3 per customers.
Cheapest on StaticICE are ~$100 more expensive grey imports.
The CPU is underpowered compared to an i5 or i7 but is perfectly capable for normal usage. Apple has programmed it to make great use of the turboboost feature, many windows powered laptops using similar Core M CPUs have much worse real world performance.
agree with you
horses for causes.
foxes for boxes.
Macbooks for Eneloops
Horses for courses I believe
Remember that the turbo boost feature is very limited because it thermal throttles like crazy.
Yeap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DyUitTVWlw
Do not expect it to run at turbo boost all the time (under load). In fact most of the time it will clock down to 1.1ghz.
Maybe for a Windows Laptop because manufacturers have no control over the operating system!
Great price, The improvements in the second generation model were quite minor so the $650 discount is great value.
I bought one for similar to this price last year when I combined 10% off TGG with a 20% off ebay promotion.
Great machine for just surfing the net. It will never be a multimedia powerhouse PC but its still better than any sub $1000 ultrabook and is perfectly capable as a normal users machine. The 256Gb SSD is hard to get in most base model laptops and is extremely fast.
Hi Stirlo,
My gf would like a potable laptop for internet, word, excel and playing movies/tv shows. When you say its not a multimedia powerhouse do you mean for gaming, or does it also struggle with movies?
Thanks.
Lol. For a wife/gf, I would suggest PC with a 50% processing power margin on top. Otherwise you will get whinges that "it's a shxt pc and doesnt do alot". (really, it's a user problem).
When she say excel, internet, movie. It doesnt mean she's expecting a PC to run either one of the 3. She actually means running all 3 items in one go, and may be playing some games whilst all 3 are running.
I would say multimedia powerhouse can run image/video editing, and gaming with no issue. More than the basics.
Even a cheap Android tablet won't struggle with movies. However this might struggle with video editing. That being said, last time I used Mac to do video editing was 12 years ago on a 900Mhz iBook G3 with iMovies. Software certain demands a lot more these days…
It's perfect for what she's after. More than enough. It'll even do video editing and whatnot just fine. Think about it this way, you can do all of the listed items on an iPhone. This thing is more powerful than an iPhone (not by much, granted). Plus it's really portable, sleek and nice to use.
Cheers, guys. Might be a go. I tried to talk her into the cheaper PC's, but the 'look' of the macs seemed to be her priority…
@hyperham: Go for it. I have a 4 year old Macbook Air that I still use on daily basis (late 2011 model) and it's still good, I'll probably wait another year before upgrading. I used to travel a lot so it was a perfect laptop for me. It's more than enough for browsing/watching movies/Microsoft office.
@hyperham:
there's plenty of windows ones that look similar, apple doesnt own that look.
mac air for a bit over $1000 https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/250895
asus in nice colours like apple has http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Asus-Zenbook-UX305LA-13-3-FHD-Int… $1199 less 20%
Depends on how tech savvy she is or whether it comes down to the colour. Thanks to scotty my wallet is now significantly lighter. As others have replied, the processor isnt made for gaming, however, for viewing photos, internet browsing (read shopping) and the fact that it has the apple logo (argh!) and is extremely portable it will do nicely.
Don't listen when people say small cpu equals slow performance. It's also the OS and apps and architecture. https://youtu.be/KnapaZYD2cU
Fine for movies
my wife bought one of these (1.1ghz, 8gb ram, 256gb model) a few months back and uses it for everything that you mentioned and it works great. no stuttering, lag, whatever. works exactly how it should. tbh when i look to upgrade my macbook pro in a year or two im seriously considering getting one of these models. the form factor is that good.
perhaps the only thing i can think that might take some getting used to is the shallow keyboard. best for your gf to go in store somewhere and try typing out a few notes to see if she likes it. otherwise it's great.
This is a great everyday laptop, go for it, they will be happy with it. also consider getting a usb c dock (a bit pricey) so this can be connected to a larger external screen.
multimedia powerhouse PC
What the hell is a multimedia powerhouse PC. This will play all your music, videos, even editing. The only thing it will struggle with is games or 3d modelling.
Even a 6 year old PC can do music, videos and editing it's just how fast you want it to be when doing those things…
That's a great price. The $600 odd saving compared to the latest models is totally worth it if you're after this.
I'd consider one if it wasn't for the DSE sale and the Air I managed to snag. Yeah the MacBooks are pretty underpowered, but they're still excellent devices for most intents and purposes.
Just managed to grab a Dell Inspiron 11 i3-6100 with 128gb ssd and 4gb ram. The thing runs perfectly fine wth office, browsing and movies. And was quarter of a price. — from the Dell DFO store. Managed to upgrade SSD to 256 and ram to 8gb. And now runs like a dream. And its more than half the price( total including upgrades). I guess it all depends on value for money I guess..
Is the 512GB version @ $1749 any good?
it is a pretty good deal when it comes to apple prices, and the only one that you can buy with click and collect
I got mine for about $2000 when it first came out (Apple AU prices were cheaper at the time - RRP would have been $2200 and now would be $2450).
Love it. You get used to the USB-C and the keyboard. I use it for everyday stuff as well as a bit of light Photoshop work and some editing of RAW images (18MP) in Aperture.
Every now and then it takes a couple of seconds to save a larger PSD or export from Photoshop, but I'm still totally happy with it. Be aware though, as a Core M5 (5th gen), heavy work will hammer the battery, but it charges quickly and lasts well for the usual stuff (used it for movies on a flight to LA and lasted better than expected).
Not for everyone, but do I regret my purchase of a year ago? Hell no.
It's a more than capable computer. I got the m5 1.2ghz model which i read isn't more than 15-20% stronger?. can happily say that it edits in photoshop well, lightroom runs satisfactory for the laptop's size, and you can run video, word process and music at the same time. multitasking on a 12 inch screen can work to a degree but it'll lag if you're exporting stuff which most people who get this won't be doing. plus its a 12 inch screen, theres only so much screen realestate to multitask with before you should be looking at another model
Does anyone have any comments/experiences with regards to the USB-C? Is it a pain in the ass or not? That's the main thing that is holding me back from purchasing this. Cheers
Well it's not proprietary, which means you wont be locked into buying Apple branded adapters to make it work. It will become the standard USB connector in the future.
If my 2012 MacBook would just die already, I would totally jump on this deal. Good price!!
Sell it to pay for this (if you could be bothered).
Second hand Apple prices are sky-high on Gumtree this last 6 months…
Wow I just checked gumtree for the sydney area on iPads. Crazy. But yeah, i'm old fashioned, I like to stick to my electronics to its last dying breath. Plus I heard so many dodgy gumtree stories.
High doesn't mean it's going to sell, probably only half of them got sold within a few days, the rest just got circulated around like zombie.
Some b-grade movie producer just got an idea for a movie.
yep, my 2009 MacBook does fine, upgraded to 8GB RAM and 500GB SSD.
Crazy that a 7yo laptop is still ok. thats never been the case before now. The slowest thing about it is the crappy ADSL connection, thanks Libs for killing the NBN.
That these new ones can't be upgraded is what's stopping me.
I put 8GB RAM and and a Samsung 850 SSD (that we had left over from upgrading a 2012 Macbook Pro) in my sons 2009 Macbook Pro that he was given by my sister and was surprised at how snappy it was.
Hi, could you see my question below? Thanks.
Wow. Was it hard to upgrade the ram and SSD? Thanks for the inspiration, I would like to do thAt.
Also what about your battery, did you replace it? mine says service battery and I'm thinking of replacing it at Apple's for $200 before the SSD upgrade.
It was really simple.
Just had to unscrew the bottom panel of the Macbook Pro, remove the RAM and slot the new sticks straight in. With the hard drive, you need to remove the screws to release the drive from the computer, then remove the cable that connects the drive.
Then it is just a matter of using the screws from the computer to screw the new hard drive into place and also you need to connect the cable. Took me about 10 minutes all up. It is pretty straight forward, but I used to do it for a living so it make take a little longer for someone else.
Have not had to replace the battery, since my sister barely used the computer and it had been sitting back in its box for about two to three years before she gave it to my son.
Very good price… i was waiting for ages and trying to find stock when it was 1629 online last week
I bit the bullet and ended up purchasing the Macbook pro yesterday with Kogan's 1439 deal on ebay (grey import).. kinda happy i did as its definetly more powerful but this one is more stylish!
Pretty much all gone in Melbourne already. Can't see a store with stock anywhere central or in the east.
Only gold is available online now
No stock anywhere in VIC that searched so far……
some are apparently at the warehouse awaiting distribution so the stock should be distributed to stores by tuesday
but they dont sell them instore?
I went to an officeworks today, there was one display 256GB that they wouldn't sell as they were getting a delivery of 40 units to the store by tuesday, they generally only sell the display if it is the last one. The guy working there even said keep an eye out on the site until then… I ended up just getting the 512GB space grey click and collect.
edit: by 40 units, I mean 40 units statewide and then they get divided with the stores here and my store should be getting 5 or so, the guy even showed me his PDA to confirm. This is for QLD anyway
@jbnz: I've been using a PC with only 120G of storage for the last 3 years and it's been alright. Sometimes it gets a little tight, but then I do a cleanup. 256 should be enough I reckon and probably worth the $380 saving.
My Air only has 256 I think and that's been fine.
Yes I did, and it's a whole 100MHz faster :p
What it is worth is really up to you, 1729 is a pretty decent price regardless. Especially when there isn't a massive difference with the 2016 model. I would have preferred the saving by buying the 256GB as I don't even keep much stuff on my unit or any of my computers (All on my server), but my time is worth more to me than the mission it would be trying to source a 256GB model and I prefer the Grey over the gold anyway.
which is faster the old 512gb 1.2ghz or the new 256gb 1.1ghz?
1.2ghz > 1.1ghz
yeah but its the old chip. the new 1.1 is faster than the old 1.1
I hate how not all Ghz are made equal! >:-(
All I recommend for people getting this is a Satechi Type C Pass-through Hub
http://www.satechi.net/index.php/type-c-pass-through-usb-hub…
cheers!
Or if you don't need the video output and just the USB's with pass through charging, this is half the price again…
Agreed - but no doubt those buying one of these want that colour matching tho haha!
This looks fantastic, but ~A$95 delivered :(
Hey golferpat, do you know whete can I buy the hub in Australia?
Unfortunately no sorry! Will keep an eye on it though
No worries have bought one from their website. Whats your experience like using it… any over heating problems?
@Jx: Using the hub or Macbook itself? If the hub was pretty good no real overheating issues - kept the hub but sold the Macbook as I still had my Retina Macbook Pro.
I have a 2015 Macbook Pro with the 2.5 GHz Intel Core i7 and occasionally it lags. I only use it for basic stuff.
Wouldn't a 1.1ghz CPU be extremely slow ? Even with basic usage ?
maybe try an update on your mac?
Updated to the latest software. I think all the updates is what slows down the computer.
update the spinning disk to SSD!
Something is not right.
I have a 2010 MBP with 8GB RAM and SSD and it flies.
I agree. I run a 2009 macbook with ubuntu/kali/OSX and its very capable even after I've been using my 15" with GPU
Put ssd into my 2009 MacBook so all good again …..they just last ……
Yep, it was my first Mac and my first computer I've kept past 3 years.
Performance wise I've not been left lacking yet, the only thing tempting me to upgrade is the introduction of the retina screens.
do you get kernel panic (random reboots) with the 2010 mbp?
Maybe, but I have no way of knowing what might cause the issue. I"m thinking off doing a fresh install.
Maybe, but I have no way of knowing what might cause the issue. I"m thinking off doing a fresh install to see if that helps
I have a 2011 MBP with 16gig. It doesn't lag and I use it for audio/video production.
Bought one of these two weeks ago from the Apple refurb store for $1439 in Silver (wanted Space Grey, but not available). Have now just purchased this one, for $90 cheaper and in Space Grey. Thank you Apple for your generous return policy (I feel a bit bad about doing it… but ah well).
Did you have stock at a local store?
I couldn't find any locally in WA nor are they available to order online :(
I just did an online order. Free next day delivery. Melbourne.
How does this compare to Kogan's MacBook Air? To a layman it seems like here you're paying for extra ram and a better screen, whereas the Air looks like it has a better processor, battery life and lighter build. Am I right?
Macbook is lighter than the Air actually. Macbook only has the one USB Type C port too so factor that in the price for the dongles.
Macbook display is retina, ram is more, hd is more
Macbook Air has an sd card slot, two usb ports, faster processor
For the price, this macbook seems better
air also has ports available easy if you need (SD slot, usb ports, audio connector)
What are the chances of Apple price-matching this?
Zero, Apple doesn't price match.
Apple does price match up to 10% off RRP
Apple takes off 10% off their RRP.
For web surfing, downloading and movie viewing, which would be best? Occasionally used to watch movies and game while flying.
http://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/macbook-air…
or
http://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/macbook-12-…
Well, I went to the Apple store and looked at them both. Air would have more battery life, but the screen on Macbook is definitely better being Retina and higher res. Also note that Air has 4gb memory where as Macbook is 8gb.
Macbook def looks sexier and it is smaller and lighter. Also Macbook has only 1 USB-C port. Hard choice I am in the same boat. I went for the Macbook ..it almost feels like iPad!
Yep, just bought the MacBook and getting the dongle port splitter thingy. Thanks for the feedback.
Limit of 3 per person.
I'm looking for 4
mccarthyp64 on 03/06/2016 - 11:42 Comment score below threshold.