Do you have a strong affinity for the 12” MacBook from its introduction back in 2015? Then the 2017 version will tickle your fancy with all its cool features and improvements to guarantee smooth user experience.
There is no doubt that the 2015 12-inch MacBook had an annoying flat keyboard, and it was not well powered, mainly because it had a sole USB-C (kudos on this innovation) that was meant for both data connections and power. But for those who loved it like you must have loved it for its lightweight and slim nature, its greats high-res display, and the fact that you could find all the essential features of macOS (then called OS X) in a machine that was so easy to carry around.
That said, the 2015 beast was not for everyone. For those whose work involved lots of typing, the laptop’s keyboard was a turn off by the sheer lack of tactile feedback due to the flat keyboard. Also, the laptop’s Core M CPU could chug from just running a few programs. Other reasons why it was not a popular laptop included its USB port, lack of an HDMI port, which then meant that one had to purchase lots of dongles to use.
Then came the second generation (the 2016 one as reviewed in a previous article), which added a tad faster processor to what can be described as a similar machine. Not so bad for techies who do not mind living within the boundaries when it comes to machine limitations.
The third version of the 12 inch MacBook, which this article is for, was launched in 2017 at the WWDC conference. With this machine, Apple chose to make it a mainstream beast from a cult favorite, and confidently so. A couple of upgrades were done internally to make a ton of difference. This is why it is now easier to pick this laptop over the larger MacBook Pro and the very much outdated MacBook Air. Kentex is ready to walk with you all the way until you have this MacBook delivered right to your doorstep.
Price: $1,300 (may vary from dealer to dealer)
Resolution/ Display size: 12-inch 2,304 x 1,440 display
PC Processor: Intel Core M3-7Y32 1.2GHz
PC RAM: 8GB DDR3 SDRAM 1,866MHz
Graphics Card: 1.536MB Intel HD Graphics 615
Storage : 256GB SSD
Network connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi wireless; Bluetooth 4.2
Operating system: macOS 10.12.5 Sierra
Well, let us clear a couple of things out first, shall we? The laptop’s body is still the same, together with the resolution and size of the display. If those were what turn you off about the machine then, you won’t also like it now. A detailed assessment of this machine can be found in the review of the 2016 version in this site because they are quite identical. But nothing is stopping us from looking into this iteration too.
Other things that never changed was that the 2017 version still has one USB-C port which is not Thunderbolt enabled. This means that it becomes a whole new hassle if you are used to connecting USB keys, and other outboard gears such as an external display. But that, for 12-inch MacBook enthusiasts, is no big deal since there are adapters and USB-C dongles available online for all eventualities no matter how expensive and inconvenient they can be. For example, a regular USB-C to USB-A adaptor goes for about $19, while the big multiport from Apple that gives USB-A, USB-C (for pass-through charging), and HDMI is $69.
One thing we all can agree on is that Apple added a more futuristic and mainstream feature: the USB-C. They were the first ones to use it on PCs before other computer manufacturers such as Samsung, Dell, and HP. Just like MacBook Pros, which also use USB-C for charging even though they also offer 2 to 4 ports total.
Over the years, since the 12-inch MacBook was introduced, the major complaint from users around the world was the super-flat keyboard. This was an issue with the two previous incarnations of this model since the keyboard lacked tactile feedback when typing, and the keys were not designed to the standard used for all laptops ever manufactured.
When Apple used a similar keyboard on their MacBook Pro 2016 version, they improved it by adding a butterfly mechanism with an X shaped trigger underneath each key to make the experience when typing to be more substantial.
The 2017 MacBook 12-Inch Pro adopted the use of the second generation Keyboard with a butterfly mechanism from the Pro model. Even though the keyboard does not look different, a user of the previous versions can obviously tell the difference: the spring and click that was lacking before.
If you have used the earlier versions of the 12-inch MacBook to do your typing, you will be pleasantly surprised by how magnificent the 2017’s version’s keyboard actually fells. So if previously you ruled out a MacBook because of the flat keyboard with no tactile feedback, then this beast has earned itself a second look.
What is different from the other iterations is the incorporation of the current generation Intel processor (also known as Kaby Lake). It is essentially the 7th Generation of Core Series Processors. Even though the default CPU is still the Core-M3, which is specially designed for slim machines that require longer battery life despite their capability to multitask, the processor is nowhere as useful as the mainstream Core-I series in a majority of laptops. On the upside, it is still fast enough for day to day tasks like web browsing, writing, social media, and video streaming.
With this laptop, the configurations options offered are surprisingly the expensive low voltage Corei7 and Core i5 intel processors add-on options. The base 1.2GHz Core M3 is valued at $1300, the Dual-core Intel Core i5 1.5GHz costs $1600, and the Dual-core i7 Intel Core i7 is valued at $1800.
The 12-inch Memory can now be upgraded to 16GB from the usual 8GB for $199 more. Apple also guarantees that the installed SSD storage is up to 50% faster than ever before.
Most people will get thrilled at the sight of a Corei7 or i5 processor options. One thing you have to remember is that these processors are just Intel’s Y-series CPUs that are faster than the Core M3 and very efficient components to increase the battery life. Essentially, they could have been called the Core-M chips, but Intel chose to give them the unique Core-I prefixes.
The 12-inch MacBook has evidently remained a lot stable of the previous incarnations with its high-resolution Retina Display and its slim 2.04 lbs body. Even though users are still stuck with the 480p web camera and just one USB-C port for their connectivity and power need, the laptop features a lot of improvements that we are yet to see in other laptops.
This 2017 MacBook is almost similar to the2015 and 2016 12-inch MacBook laptops. However, it's much more powerful and durable. If you have a particular liking for slimmer and smaller laptops with a different color, then this MacBook 12 inch (2017) is the one for you. With the 2017 version, you get an improved typing experience with the keyboard designed to have a butterfly mechanism and to bring back the tactile feedback.
This MacBook model is compatible with other devices like the iPhones and iPads, making your backing up option easy and fast. At Kentex Cargo, we are ready to help you ship this MacBook 12 inch (2017) from the USA to Kenya and deliver it right to your doorstep. As a recognized shipping company, this is what we do best.
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