Category: MacBook

Are you considering the 12-inch MacBook as a secondary machine? I currently use an M3 MacBook Pro for heavy production tasks, but I find myself yearning for a compact device for simpler activities like word processing and web browsing. I’m curious about how the 12-inch MacBook performs for these tasks after all this time.

Is it still reliable and efficient for basic usage? I’m particularly interested in its portability and ease of use for everyday tasks. It would be great to hear opinions from anyone who has experience with the MacBook.

How does it handle word processing software and internet browsing? Does it maintain good speed and responsiveness despite the age of the device? If you’ve switched to the 12-inch MacBook after trying out other models or if it has served as your primary laptop, I’d love to know how it compares.

Your thoughts on battery life, screen quality, and overall user experience would also be appreciated. Ultimately, I’m looking for something lightweight and easy to use without sacrificing performance for my standard tasks. If the 12-inch MacBook fits that bill, it might just be the perfect addition to my setup.

Thank you in advance for sharing your insights!

Apple currently offers a range of MacBook options: the MacBook Air in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes, and the MacBook Pro in 14-inch and 16-inch variants. The introduction of the 15-inch MacBook Air has reignited the debate over the ideal laptop size, with many users claiming that 15 inches strikes the perfect balance between screen real estate and portability. Historically, the 15-inch was a staple in the MacBook Pro lineup, existing in both the Retina and Touch Bar versions.

However, as the MacBook Pro transitioned to a larger 16-inch model—likely due to thermal considerations with Intel processors—the 15-inch option was ultimately phased out. The absence of a 15-inch MacBook Pro has left a gap for users who find the 14-inch model too cramped and the 16-inch variant too bulky. Before the 15-inch MacBook Air emerged, the only choice for those seeking a larger-screen MacBook Pro was the 16-inch model.

Now, with the 15-inch Air available, anyone looking for that size may feel pushed towards it, even if it doesn’t offer the same professional capabilities as a Pro device. Many tech enthusiasts wish for the return of the 15-inch MacBook Pro, recognizing that the difference in size between the 14-inch and 16-inch devices may not be substantial enough to justify the lack of a middle option. Should Apple consider reintroducing a 15-inch model, it would likely take time, but it raises the intriguing possibility of having a renewed lineup consisting of 13-inch, 15-inch, and even 17-inch MacBook Pros.

What are your thoughts on this?

I want to take a moment to express my appreciation for this engineering marvel. Often, people dismiss it as “just a Facebook machine” or criticize it for being “underpowered.” However, my experience with my MacBook has been quite the opposite. I own a lovely rose gold MacBook m5 from Mid 2016, and it has served me exceptionally well.

I regularly engage in graphic design using Adobe CS5 on a Parallels Win7 VM, perform photo editing with Polarr, and even handle video rendering with DaVinci Resolve 17. Remarkably, I experience little to no stuttering during these intensive tasks. The only thing to keep in mind is that patience is required when rendering videos. I’ve been working on a recent project to showcase its capabilities.

While the footage is only Full HD at 100fps, it perfectly suits my current needs. I’m primarily a videographer and photographer for a non-profit bodybuilding organization’s official YouTube channel—not exactly producing blockbuster films just yet. The take-home message is that for anyone embarking on a creative career, even an underpowered MacBook far exceeds the performance of similarly priced competitors. Given my positive experience with this model, I’m leaning toward purchasing a maxed-out M1 MacBook Air instead of the upcoming 16″ M1 MacBook Pro.

The gold color particularly appeals to me. I also hope they reintroduce the 12″ model or make the MacBook Air as compact as the 12″.

Hello everyone,

I hope you can help me out with some guidance. Recently, I bought a 14″ MacBook Pro with the M3 Pro processor, 18 GB RAM, and 512 GB storage from Best Buy for $1,699. While I enjoy the device, I do find myself craving a slightly larger screen since I previously had a 15-inch MacBook Air which was a better fit for my needs, though it struggled with only 8 GB of RAM.

Currently, I’m trying to evaluate my options solely from a value perspective. I’m considering whether I should switch to an M4 Pro with the basic M4 processor, featuring 16 GB of RAM and the same 512 GB storage, which is available for $1,479 with a $150 discount. I’ve read that these two processors are fairly similar, but I’m curious about the differences in terms of ports, fan performance, and screen quality.

In terms of specifications, I want to know if the M3 Pro is indeed the superior device overall, compared to the M4 Pro. The M3 Pro I currently have offers 18 GB of RAM, while the M4 Pro offers 16 GB—but with potentially better connectivity due to expanded ports. As I weigh my options, I’m also mindful of potential price drops—especially with Black Friday approaching.

If there is a noticeable decrease in the pricing of the M3 models, it might change my decision. Ultimately, should I stick with the M3 Pro, settle for the basic M4, or upgrade to the M4 Pro? I am also hoping for the mythical 16-inch design with the base M4 processor.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hello everyone! I recently went on a month-long work trip and left my MacBook in sleep mode with a 90% charge. When I returned home, I discovered that the laptop had been fully discharged for five days. I noticed it was offline on Find My during that time.

I’m concerned about the impact of having my MacBook’s lithium-ion battery fully drained for such an extended period. Prior to this incident, I consistently maintained the battery level within the optimal range of 20% to 80%. This situation was an exception, and I want to understand if it could have lasting effects on my device. Thank you for taking the time to help me understand the consequences of this event!

Best regards!

The original poster on MacRumors, a user by the name of a-m-k, shared an effective tip on September 3, 2009, regarding resolution settings. They emphasized the importance of resetting one’s display resolution to its default setting, stating that it had resolved similar issues for them. In their post, they noted that restoring the resolution to the default was a practical solution and suggested that users might need to revert to this setting again if they want to use their camera. This hint indicates a potential conflict between display resolution and camera functionality, which can be an important consideration for users experiencing problems.

This advice is particularly valuable for those who may not be aware of how resolution settings can impact device performance. By highlighting their personal experience, a-m-k encourages others facing the same difficulties to try this straightforward remedy. The simplicity of the suggestion makes it accessible for users of varying technical skills, potentially saving time and frustration for many. Overall, a-m-k’s recommendation serves as a reminder of the importance of checking basic settings when troubleshooting technical issues, as these often overlooked adjustments can lead to quick and easy fixes.

Hello,

I am looking to upgrade my current 11″ 2015 MacBook Air, as it is becoming too slow for my needs. The M1 MacBook Air really catches my eye; it’s powerful and I appreciate its sleek wedge design.

However, I have some reservations about the M3 model that my wife owns—it doesn’t embody the Apple aesthetic to me. I am leaning towards the 16GB version, which is currently priced above 630 Euros.

This seems quite high considering there are now three newer processor options available. I expected that prices would have decreased significantly five years after the initial release of the M1.

While there are 8GB models available for approximately 500 Euros, I plan to keep my Macs for a long time, so opting for more RAM would enhance the longevity of the device. Best regards,

Philip

It is important to recognize that videos cannot accurately represent what the human eye perceives in real-life scenarios. The human eye operates very differently from a video camera, exhibiting greater flexibility in handling aspects such as refresh rates, resolutions, brightness, and color balance. Therefore, the only true way to assess a system’s performance is through direct interaction; it won’t take weeks to identify issues that might impact your experience.

For instance, I can record a video of my MacBook Air showing a flicker that originates from a mismatch in refresh rates with my iPhone. While the video might appear poor, I haven’t noticed any flicker while using the laptop for three years. This discussion isn’t new, but it warrants a response.

Some argue that videos vividly illustrate what the eyes see, making it easier to understand phenomena that may not be apparent in real-time. Our biology processes light signals rapidly; when a display flickers, it can be understood as a mechanism for adjusting brightness using pulse-width modulation (PWM). It’s noteworthy that many laptops are specifically designed to avoid PWM for brightness control given its known adverse effects on sensitivity.

As a result, individuals who are sensitive to PWM should steer clear of Apple laptops, unless they are paired with an external non-PWM display. This hardware design constraint is prevalent in many PC laptops and even smartphones. I have personally experienced migraines linked to PWM displays.

After using an iMac that caused significant eye strain, I realized that the headaches subsided once I stopped using it. Consequently, my M1 Pro MacBook Pro remains unused unless connected to an external monitor, as I experienced discomfort after just three days of use. In my opinion, electronic devices utilizing PWM should carry warnings about their potential health impacts.

The mechanism at play is that the eye adjusts its light intake by dilating and constricting pupils. When a display flickers excessively, it causes pupil dilation that can lead to discomfort and potential damage over time. This issue has persisted with various devices since 2012, necessitating careful selection of laptops to avoid such problems.

Ultimately, the only viable solution for those affected is to use an external display that does not rely on PWM. Anything else could be merely a placebo, failing to address the core of the issue.

I recently attempted to remove the bottom case of my 2019 16″ MacBook Pro to install some thermal pads inside. However, I am having difficulty securing the back corner of the case. After several attempts, I’ve taken the case off multiple times, trying to follow the guides from iFixit and other YouTube videos.

Unfortunately, I still can’t figure out where I’m going wrong. I’ve attached some pictures for reference, including one of the opposite corner where the case is correctly snapped down. This gives a clearer view of how it should look when everything is in place.

Despite my efforts, the back corner simply won’t secure properly. I’m reaching out for any suggestions or tips that might help me resolve this issue. Any insights from those who have experience with this model would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

I’ve had consistent issues with the speakers in my MacBook Pro (MBP) models. Starting with my 13-inch 2009 model, the speakers were already malfunctioning when I acquired it.

My first 2012 13-inch MBP failed just six months before I had to replace it, and its successor followed suit a week later. While my 2012 15-inch Retina MBP initially showed no problems, after a month, one of its speakers also failed.

Now, my 2014 15-inch Retina MBP has experienced a similar fate with its left speaker. The common factor in all of these failures seems to be the foam that attaches the central membrane to the speaker chassis.

This is puzzling because none of my other laptops from brands like HP, Dell, Lenovo, or Asus have ever had similar speaker issues. Upon inspecting those devices, I found that they do not incorporate foam in their speakers.

It raises the question: why did Apple choose to use foam in high-end products? It seems to deteriorate over time, often just after the warranty period runs out, with no clear advantage for its use.

Is there a viable solution for this problem? Replacement parts are likely to be just as old and prone to the same failure.

Ideally, I would want to replace merely the faulty speaker with a compatible model that doesn’t rely on foam. Finding a long-lasting solution would be essential, especially since the current trend indicates that these parts will only continue to age and deteriorate further.

It’s frustrating to deal with such recurring issues in premium devices.