That was the first Apple laptop that had the butterfly keyboard. I wanted to like it, went to the store to buy one and walked away empty handed. Now, imagine that same case with an M1 in it. That might clear the fence to be worth buying.
Def. Agree I own a 2016 MacBook 12 inch it was my favorite at the time until I started doing more intense work since then I’ve upgraded to a MacBook Pro and upgrade every two years
I bought one of these 12 inch MacBooks when it came out, and used it for school for a couple of years, and I actually really liked it, is as able to do pretty much everything I wanted out of a school only laptop (take notes, browse the web, review pdfs…) my favourites of the laptop were basically that it was completely silent, extremely portable (to the point where this laptop fits perfectly inside those little pockets binders have on the inside of the cover) and the battery easily lasted me like 2 days of note taking. Unlike a lot of people I didn’t expect this laptop to fly or edit videos, play games, or run physics calculations, because it was never the point of the laptop, it was just a sleek and silent notebook replacement and it worked great for that. As for the keyboard I know a lot of people prefer some key travel when they type which is why this keyboard design got a lot of hate, however personally I could care less about the key travel and everything from the mechanical keyboard from my desktop to typing on glass feels fine to me, sure the tactile feeling of the mechanical keys feels nice however it’s nowhere near the top on my priority list nor does my typing improve or decline depending on the keyboard type (but that’s just me I guess)
@@jzglazier8999 I did start having an issue with one of the keys 5 years down the line of owning it where it would either not register the press or register as 2 presses, it could work fine for a week and randomly throw the issue for a day, I’m not sure if that’s to do with the design or the enormous amount of abuse the laptop sustained through my high school self tossing my bag around (since it did end up with plenty of extra dents scratches and scuffs) however it did prompt me to just get a new one, though I’m happy with the time it did last
@@Magicmushroomboi Oh okay I gotcha. Thanks for responding! I’ve been looking for a cheap MacBook to use for school and light tasks and have pretty much settled on the MacBook Air 2017 cuz everyone praises it for students and all that good stuff. But I recently saw the 12 inch MacBook from 2016 start going on sale for only $320-ish in refurbished like new conditions. So I didn’t know if the 12 inch was worth it with the butterfly keyboard issues everyone always brings up. The only reason I’d really end up choosing the 12 inch is cuz it has the black bezels I think the white bezels on the 2017 air are not pleasant to look at lol. But your comments make the 12 inch sound like it’s a pretty solid machine for the most part.
i have a 2017 macbook pro and i’m with you on the keyboard. still works and i have always liked the low travel and thought it was nice to type on. I do still like the new keyboards after trying it out in the apple store the other day though
When you yanked open the lit, my heart stopped for a second, those things need to be open with care to prevent breaking the ribbon cable. You sir, just got lucky this time. :)
@@oo0024 I genuinely think he did not know, that is the only macbook to have that ribbon cable between the lid and the computer. Also the first Macbook to have the logic board attached to the lid instead of the keyboard, and the o Ku one with the battery on the lid.
My friend who is a project manager LOVES his 2016 version. Takes it everywhere, it is SO portable. His has 16gb ram and 512 ssd and it genuinely flies along for all MS office applications, which is what he uses it for.
I have the 12 in 2017 in rose gold. All I did was order a matte keyboard cover and it feels good, bought an 8in1 port thing, and bought a nice BT mouse. Overall after these simple additions it’s a really great laptop! Btw the charger slays as a charger for newer iPhones. It charges my phone really well so I never bought a 20W from apple or 3rd party. Overall great value as I bought it open box from bestbuy for $850 in 2017
I have the 2017 12’ MacBook which I brought brand new from Apple in 2018. It have Core i7 with 512GB storage and 16GB Ram. It’s silver and perfect condition and such a fantastic laptop. So glad I got one before they stopped selling it.👍
Man, I wished I'd gone for one of those instead of the 15 Pro and 12.9 iPad Pro... So much more usable, and at least your entire keyboard wouldn't go out on you. The iPad Pro had a design flaw which damaged the cable between the pogo pins and keyboard cover. I'd put an otterbox on the iPad and it made it too heavy for the keyboard. First 512 GB iOS device, however.
I really hope they make another one of these someday with an M chip, I mostly use my MBA docked so the screen size is often irrelevant and I’d rather have a smaller size that’s more portable than a bigger and heavier computer
Im a tech that repairs MacBooks daily... It's actually all my business handles. The 12 inch is absolutely notorious for CPU failures which often results in total data loss as the SSD is soldered on the board. Keep frequent backups if you use it!
Ive had that Macbook for years and its no problem. It served me well with basic wordprocessing and surfing the net. The size alone makes it a buy as its lighter and smaller than anything around. easy to take on trips and easy to take to coffee shops.
It's a great second computer. I have the 2016 m5 model synchronized to my other PCs and Macs with Resilio-Sync (I need to have just a handful of synchronized folders, mainly scanned documents and development work), and I bring it with me everywhere I go. It's very convenient if you want to work on the go, and to have all your important documents with you. It's much more convenient than an iPad (try coding on an iPad), and I have actually done real work on an iOS app for several years with this computer. I also owned a 15 inch Macbook Pro, but I would find myself working on the 12 inch most of the time, because of its incredible portability. Now that I also have an M1 Macbook Air, I prefer working on the Air, but the 12 inch 2016 Macbook always follows me when I leave the house. BTW I'm on the 7th year of using it, and everything still works perfectly, including the keyboard. OK, not the battery. It had 75% capacity, and I replaced it yesterday. Now that I have replaced it, the Macbook is almost like new.
i love mine. at its size and weight, there really isn't anything else that can do what it does. The only thing it's really missing is another usb-c and Apple Silicon power. Hope it gets a revival in the near future
i have mobility issues in my fingers so the butterfly keyboard on my 13” MBP from 2018 works perfect for me. It used to suffer from sticky keys but after a good clean she was good as new!
This was one of my favorite laptops. I personally loved the butterfly keyboard. I've since upgraded numerous times and currently have the new M2 Air, but my wife still uses her m7 based 12" MacBook everyday and won't let me get her a new one.
@@prject25 I know, hard to believe but there are those of us that did like it. I had the butterfly keyboard on the 12” MacBook, a 13” Pro and an Air. Only ever had one issue with it on the 13” Pro and Apple replaced it with a 2 day turn around. I liked the shallow keys and clicking sound it made. Heck I wrote an entire first draft of a novel on it. Though the keyboard on the M2 is also nice.
@@Darthwriter I never had an issue with the keyboard but man did I hate how it felt. I had a 2017 and I hated writing on that thing for 5 years until I bought my current MacBook Pro.
I had one of those (the first iteration) from new. leaving aside the issues you had because it was a knackered unit... it *was* gutless and underpowered, the single usb-c and weak graphics that couldn't even do 4K@60 were a brake on any thoughts of docking it at home. and yes, the butterfly keyboard. I loved it. I was even OK with the keyboard (maybe I was lucky; it never went wrong for me, but I remember noticing that even though the travel was far too short, by some alchemy I had fewer typing errors using it than on many ostensibly better ones). but I loved it because it was just so light and slim it was a laptop you'd take with you when you didn't even know you were going to use it. even when you thought you probably weren't, but you'd drop it in just in case anyway, because it's just so light. way lighter than an iPad in a magic keyboard case, for instance. and way lighter than a MacBook Air. and anyway, it wasn't so gutless I couldn't do my usual work on it, java development. ok, you want to be more coding and less compiling but still... so I really want apple to make a new one. even though I already have a m1pro Macbook Pro, I probably wouldn't be able to resist that. again... because that MBP is a slab, frankly. I don't always bother to take it with me, unless I'm sure I'm going to need it. and sometimes I get that wrong.
I made the 12inch the backup computer for exactly what you listed. The m1 pro Mac book is the heavy hitter for when it’s needed anything else is a toss up between iPad Pro and 12inch. An M1 chip in the 12inch would change a lot going forward for computers, I’d love to see it apple!
I find myself using my 12-inch more often than not, and am just oh so hopeful I can once again purchase an Apple Silicon-based MacBook. Yes, the 14-inch M1 Pro is really nice, but nothing beats a computer I can fit into a tablet sleeve and pull out whenever it is needed, instead of carrying around a dedicated laptop bag with 50% more weight inside due to the MBP.
I bought a MacBook Air 11" off of Amazon for $210 and it's phenomenal for my On The Go Administration work! Was in brand new condition. So it's safe to say you had a bad experience! And possibly purchased from a less than great seller, because my experience has been phenomenal And my laptop is a bit older (2015) meets all of my needs for my video editing jobs as well!
i bought a 2015 macbook 12 in 2017 on ebay for a fairly cheap price and i got it because i got tired of having to carry my really heavy acer laptop for coding and work, it really got me through my engineering degree. the battery life was insane and i could go for a few days without having to charge it. though, the funniest experience i had was the macbook lagging because i added a few animations in power point, and ever since i updated the software back in 2019, the battery life decreased and now, it shows the battery needs to be serviced which sucks cause it's hard to fix it cause it's discontinued. but overall, i'm super happy about it and absolutely love the form factor. they really NEED to put this macbook back but with the M2 chip!
Great video as usual, just let me say, the keyboard is a pure matter of preferences, i had a 2017 pro 13, i loved the butterfly on it, i was not writing man, i was flying. Now that i got an m2, i really like the travel of keys but i missed the buttery for a week.. It's just habits...
I don't understand that butterfly keyboard hate. It was the best type of keys that apple laptops ever had, I really miss the butterfly using now my mba m1.
I just bought the MacBook Air M2 to replace this computer that I bought in 2019. I loved it! Such a beautiful computer and its size was perfect for a student. I never had any issues with the keyboard, I miss it! It had a bit of a overheating problem (especially when using Microsoft Teams) but overall got the job done.
The 30hz limit was probably because you were using a 4K display (could've also been a limit on the USB-C dock you were using too). If it was a 1080p display like most folks are probably using, I would assume it would do 60hz just fine. I can't imagine people buying "the cheapest Macbook possible" are using 4K displays.
I get how weary it can be buying from resellers... I recently bought my 2018 13 inch MacBook Pro from a reseller on Walmart's website. When I received the MacBook, nothing was really terrible about it, it had some keys that were stuck which was a real bummer, however after about a month of use, those keys unstuck themselves and now work as intended. There was only a few minor scuffs, the charging cable looks horrendous, the charger itself was an off-brand charger, after I bought a genuine charger and cable from apple, it works amazingly to this day, and im so glad I bought it! I just needed something that could handle editing 4k video without too much trouble (which it does almost perfectly) and just something that I could comfortably use as a daily computer. I actually really enjoy the typing experience as well!
I know I may ve the only crazy person in the world, but I loved the 12" MacBook while I had it. And yes, I did have issues with the keyboard a couple of times, when dirt got under the keys and would not allow me to type properly, however, I even liked the clacking noise the keys would make when typing fast. I have an M2 MacBook Air now and it's much bigger than the 12" model used to be. I sometimes whish MacBook would give some love to those who like a truly small laptop that will test the boundaries of how small you can go.
Hi, my name is Henry , I’m a student in Ghana and I really love your videos. You inspire me to study hard and make it. Watching your videos encourages me to work hard and afford a laptop. It turns out, I’ll not be able to get one. Keep making us happy 😊.
I have the 2015 12" MacBook. I got it used from a friend for a 100 bucks. It's excellent for the money i spent. Perfect for watching TH-cam Premium. I bring it with me everywhere. I replaced the battery. I use it for watching movies/tv shows and listening to Apple Music. It feels like a new machine everytime I use it. I even use it to digitize old VHS tapes and 8mm camcorder tapes as well as edit. The screen is beautiful. It comes in handy when I don't wanna lug my 2017 5K iMac back and forth places.
imagine if apple released an m1 lite or an m2 lite and put them into the same chassis of the 12 inch, with a better keyboard. honestly, as a student with a computer for more heavier tasks, i would be fine for a 6 or 4 core version of the m1. hell, it proved that the regular m1 doesn't even need to be cooled with fans, so even the regular m1 would be okay in this chassis.
You bought a garbage laptop with the worst processor. I’m not sure what the point of this is. This comment sounds mean but it seems silly. Great production value. Good editing. Those are positives.
I've had a 12 inch macbook since 2016 and it's my favorite form factor. Its basically a chromebook at this point but being aware of it shortcomings I'm fine with it that being said if they made a new one tomorrow is be first in line 😁 I don't think MacOS Ventura will work on it
I have the 2017 base model and it’s good for school and simpler tasks but not things like video editing. The keyboard is not the best and can break easily if your trying to remove keys for cleaning and the battery life is alright as well I get 4-7 hours. The deign however is still one of the best Apple has ever made and it fits in a backpack like a slim notebook. The display is really good too since it’s a 1440p on only a 12” display. The 2017 model will also be getting Ventura as well. Although it does have a little lag on Monterey. I think Apple should put a M1 in a mini laptop like this again but as of now the M1 iPad Pro 11” has that spot, but if Apple were to remake the 12” MacBook it would complete the 11” 12” 13” 14” lineup of MacBooks they have going.
My 2018 Macbook Pro 15 has the butterfly keyboard and I personally love it. Honestly, the i7 and Radeon pro GPU are more than enough for my workload and I don't plan on upgrading any time soon. Gotta love how long Macbooks last!
I scored on a 2015 MacBook Pro 15” 16gb ram. It’s still got the good keyboard and ports on it. The screen and speakers are great and although the newer stuff is better this thing will totally hold me over til I can afford one of the newest models.
I replaced the battery and upgraded the memory on my early 2015 MBP 13”, and the thing works great. I am bummed about MAC-OS Ventura not being supported for it.
I don’t recommend getting one of those 12 inch MacBook’s, I had one and it didn’t last three months and some of my friends had one but I don’t know if it lasted them either.
you can always use Opencore Legacy Patcher (OCLP) to install unsupported versions of macOS on older devices. Sad to see a 2015 device is now considered old and it's even sadder to realize 2015 was 7 years ago. Hopefully you can keep your macbook alive with OCLP and breathe some new life into it.
I know technology changes fast when it comes to computers. I'd like to see a video of what someone should get if they are starting from scratch with a 2k budget. Possibly 1 for video editing and without video editing. But needing everything
For a desktop, an upgraded M1 Mac mini would satisfy your needs and be the least expensive route. As a video editor, I got 16GB RAM but the least amount of storage. I primarily use iCloud storage for personal stuff and an external SSD to store video production files. That would cost $900, leaving you plenty for a nice monitor and keyboard/mouse. Don’t cheap out on the mouse, spend at least $50 on a quality one. Mine is Logi branded. And remember you’ll need to spend on your video editing software. Final Cut can be bundled with the Mac for $200.
I literally just purchased a 12” for the first time too! I got it from a seller on eBay who had it listed as a 2016, but when I received it, system info says it’s the 2015. I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s is a Frankenstein of a 2015 logic board and 2016 top-case. Mine was 240 and in clean condition
There is nothing great about the MacBook 12". One USB-C port, slowest processor, reminds me of the first gen MacBook Air. It's discontinued by Apple because it wasn't good.
I tried a butterfly keyboard on a Mac in a Best Buy at the time. It was so lifeless, feedback-less, I wanted to BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF IT just to get some kind of feeling from typing. It’s one thing that keeps me using my mid 10 pro and a mini and not getting a newer Mac.
The 2017 version supports 4K at 60 Hz. This is the best generation to get, as the I7 (highest end) could turbo up to 3.6 GHz, and with 16 GB of RAM, it's still surprisingly usable, even five years after its prime. Just goes to show the longevity of well-made hardware. Apple has given me IBM-like reliability and unparalleled ease of use. No longer do I have to pay an additional cost to have equal access to my computer, (JAWS for Windows at $1095.00 and upgrades every two years at $329, not including the PC). I get hardware upgrades along with the subscription. Patiently waiting and watching, for when Apple releases a 12-inch MacBook with dual USB C / Thunderbolt 4 ports, one on each side, both Touch and FaceID with CenterStage, Apple Silicon, 32 GB RAM, 2 TB storage and I'll be happily adding that to my cart! May opt for more storage or RAM if they offer it, because I want to get the absolute best bang for my buck, but want to get the best I can reasonably afford.
Hey Gary, I think the USB-C not holding on the cable is so that if you hit the cable the whole computer doesn’t fall, I have one and whenever I plug in the Type-C cable it fells like it won’t hold, but when I plug in the adapter that gives me USB-A and HDMI it holds just fine. By the way yours has 2015 MacBook, display cause the 2015 only have the SF font on keyboard, the name plate on the display has the old font, that was fixed in 2016 and the 2015 doesn’t run macOS Monterey. And I believe it’s original starting price was the same a 13” Unibody MacBook Pro from the same era. And something else, you’ll probably have a better experience if you try out the Core i5 or Core i7.
I still have my 2016 m7 version. Only starting to show its age. I’ve able to use Lightroom and QGIS on it without too much stress. It’s starting to slow and I’m starting to look at upgrading to a MBP 14”
Like many commenters, I LOVE the MB 12! I had Apple put a new battery in it a couple of years ago. Again, like SO many others, I’m praying that Apple makes a new one with Apple silicon. There are rumors to that effect and I hope they aren’t just wishful thinking. Fingers crossed that it gets an M3 with 3nm tech. The butterfly keyboard takes getting used to. It doesn’t bother me anymore and you can type on it very well. The keys are huge and you can hit them anywhere so I actually think they had a good idea but dust apparently go in the way…I’ve never had an issue…but I take very good care of my devices - my MB 12 looks like brand new without a single blemish or flaw of any kind.
Hey, Long time follower this side. Just wanted to ask u, I’m a high school student and will probably keep my laptop for say 3-4 years and have three choices: 1) MacBook Air M1 16GB Ram(1149$) 2) MacBook Pro M2 base model(1154$) 3) MacBook Air M1 base model(1199$)
8:47 I think it's only outputting up to 30hz bc of the dock you're using. I had that same usb dock for my iPad, and it said in the manual that the hdmi would only do 30hz at 4k resolution.
I used a base model 2016 MacBook 12" from 2018 until I got an M1 MacBook Air in March this year. I even edited 4K footage on it (don't ask me how, because now it can barely play a 1440p TH-cam video without having problems). I used to love the keyboard until I used the new one, and now I hate the old keyboard lol. And my 12" MacBook's USB-C port also didn't have any resistance, so that's normal
I am so glad you purchased this. I have been thinking of buying that exact one for my son for college to go along with his mac-mini. I will just bite the bullet and get the m1 mb-air. So Gary, how is the keyboard?
As a med student myself I really cannot recommend the M1 Air enough. For the not so cheap price of $850 its performance, battery life, and build quality are unmatched. I am not sure if the 8GB RAM will cause issues in the future, however, it works flawlessly for the time being.
@@TheEverydayDad The keyboard is a fairly easy replacement and really cheap, you can find a new top case with keyboard on ebay for under $50 thats how I got my 12 inch working very good again!
There’s a reseller on Amazon that I got an M1 pro from and it came in the worst condition I’ve ever seen. The charger wasn’t even a Mac charger, it was a Nokia brick for a phone. When I tried to open up a return they tried to charge a “40% restocking fee.” Needless to say, I went through Amazon themself and told them I sent it back (which I did) and they authorized the full refund immediately. I was also told by that guy if I ordered anything ever again through him, he wrote down my address and WILL NOT send any items to me due to skating around his refund policy with amazons A to Z policy.
Looking at these today, they seem to have skyrocketed in price (In Europe at least) Early 2016 Apple MacBook with 1.1GHz Intel Core m3 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $549
Unfortunate that you hate the keyboard. Actually loved it. I think Greg McFadden mentioned he also liked it in a video. Was thinking you were going to show abs or something as you attempted to wipe off FaceTime camera.
I almost bout one of these but setled for an 11" MBA from 2014. Its not a speed demon at all... its tiny and light.. and I can go around online; watch videos etc.. but even with a new battery... it drains so quickly! Because to do much of anything its just running at full tilt.
I skipped over those series... so glad. I did spend $160 to replace my 2014 MBP 15" with Nvidia GPU card (no long supported I believe in Mac OS). The 15" MBP battery swap is insanely hard.. 13" MBA is simple and fast.. keep that in mind if shopping for used MBP/MBA 13"/15". I'm glad I got my 2014 MBP 15" repaired (battery was swelling and disabled the trackpad and was looking like a football on edge. Now it's a great fast older laptop to drag around with new battery and decent older screen. the 11" MBA I nearly purchased, but decided to fix my 2015.. and who knows, maybe some day get one just because.. but yes.. you are better off and getting a M1 MBA. :)
I'm really disappointed that apple didn't bring back the "macbook" for the M series. would love a 12 inch laptop that lasts all day and weighs nothing and is still fast enough to smash gaming laptops.ofc they should make it slightly thicker to get rid of the butterfly though.
I brought this few months ago and its all good however i have a few complains. Keys will not stick to the keyboard, one fell off. The gunk around the screen sticked to the sides of the lower part. Overheat easily even if im just using edge . But its from 2016, so i think i shouldn’t complain. Overall it is useable and i loved the design and form factor. I might sell it after some time, but for now i will stick to it.
When these came out I wanted one. Just didn’t have the power for me but like the form factor. Maybe you can put in the m1 logic board in there? I had to work on my sons 2017 MacBook Pro butterfly keyboard and forgot how bad they are. Don’t think I could go back…
When you buy a brand new mac from amazon (NOT USED) does it come brand new in a box and everything? Just like you buy it from apple store? Because im thinking of purchasing one from amazon because its cheaper. But im scared :)
Originally seeing how little you got that thing for… I felt stupid for buying a 9th gen iPad for more than that MacBook, but hearing how awful the keyboard is, seeing how crappy the condition is, and knowing that the MacBook in the video probably has less processing power than the A13 in my iPad, and most definitely won’t last as long as my iPad… I feel much smarter for going with the iPad. If I’m buying a MacBook… I’ll just go new or Apple Refurbished.
Amazon sucks with computers. I tried buying a refurbished iMac trice and both times got iMacs with screwed up GPUs and the first one literally smelled like it had been on fire before.
I always thought people were being babies about the butterfly keys, thinking “how bad could they be?” but then I tried somebody else’s macbook. Good god, it is terrible, how on earth did anyone ever think it was okay
i´ve been using this laptop (MacBook 12") for about 7 months and i think is a good one (and i can´t afford a better one hahaha) im a music producer and with Logic pro it works really good
That was the first Apple laptop that had the butterfly keyboard. I wanted to like it, went to the store to buy one and walked away empty handed. Now, imagine that same case with an M1 in it. That might clear the fence to be worth buying.
Def. Agree I own a 2016 MacBook 12 inch it was my favorite at the time until I started doing more intense work since then I’ve upgraded to a MacBook Pro and upgrade every two years
I bought one of these 12 inch MacBooks when it came out, and used it for school for a couple of years, and I actually really liked it, is as able to do pretty much everything I wanted out of a school only laptop (take notes, browse the web, review pdfs…) my favourites of the laptop were basically that it was completely silent, extremely portable (to the point where this laptop fits perfectly inside those little pockets binders have on the inside of the cover) and the battery easily lasted me like 2 days of note taking. Unlike a lot of people I didn’t expect this laptop to fly or edit videos, play games, or run physics calculations, because it was never the point of the laptop, it was just a sleek and silent notebook replacement and it worked great for that. As for the keyboard I know a lot of people prefer some key travel when they type which is why this keyboard design got a lot of hate, however personally I could care less about the key travel and everything from the mechanical keyboard from my desktop to typing on glass feels fine to me, sure the tactile feeling of the mechanical keys feels nice however it’s nowhere near the top on my priority list nor does my typing improve or decline depending on the keyboard type (but that’s just me I guess)
Thank you for your insight. Could you explain to me what key travel is?
Did you have any issues with the keyboard as far as reliability goes?
@@jzglazier8999 I did start having an issue with one of the keys 5 years down the line of owning it where it would either not register the press or register as 2 presses, it could work fine for a week and randomly throw the issue for a day, I’m not sure if that’s to do with the design or the enormous amount of abuse the laptop sustained through my high school self tossing my bag around (since it did end up with plenty of extra dents scratches and scuffs) however it did prompt me to just get a new one, though I’m happy with the time it did last
@@Magicmushroomboi Oh okay I gotcha. Thanks for responding! I’ve been looking for a cheap MacBook to use for school and light tasks and have pretty much settled on the MacBook Air 2017 cuz everyone praises it for students and all that good stuff. But I recently saw the 12 inch MacBook from 2016 start going on sale for only $320-ish in refurbished like new conditions. So I didn’t know if the 12 inch was worth it with the butterfly keyboard issues everyone always brings up. The only reason I’d really end up choosing the 12 inch is cuz it has the black bezels I think the white bezels on the 2017 air are not pleasant to look at lol. But your comments make the 12 inch sound like it’s a pretty solid machine for the most part.
i have a 2017 macbook pro and i’m with you on the keyboard. still works and i have always liked the low travel and thought it was nice to type on. I do still like the new keyboards after trying it out in the apple store the other day though
When you yanked open the lit, my heart stopped for a second, those things need to be open with care to prevent breaking the ribbon cable. You sir, just got lucky this time. :)
Because he has lots of hard earned money he doesn’t care about braking cheap tech
@@oo0024 I genuinely think he did not know, that is the only macbook to have that ribbon cable between the lid and the computer. Also the first Macbook to have the logic board attached to the lid instead of the keyboard, and the o Ku one with the battery on the lid.
bro it isn't yours
Dont care about his things
@@tarfz what if the MacBook was super significant because no one bought it?
@@tarfz Thanks for adding nothing.
My friend who is a project manager LOVES his 2016 version. Takes it everywhere, it is SO portable. His has 16gb ram and 512 ssd and it genuinely flies along for all MS office applications, which is what he uses it for.
@@arunraman1214future proofing iw never wrong 😊
I have the 12 in 2017 in rose gold. All I did was order a matte keyboard cover and it feels good, bought an 8in1 port thing, and bought a nice BT mouse. Overall after these simple additions it’s a really great laptop! Btw the charger slays as a charger for newer iPhones. It charges my phone really well so I never bought a 20W from apple or 3rd party. Overall great value as I bought it open box from bestbuy for $850 in 2017
I have the 2017 12’ MacBook which I brought brand new from Apple in 2018. It have Core i7 with 512GB storage and 16GB Ram. It’s silver and perfect condition and such a fantastic laptop. So glad I got one before they stopped selling it.👍
Still works well,right ?
Cool man
Man, I wished I'd gone for one of those instead of the 15 Pro and 12.9 iPad Pro... So much more usable, and at least your entire keyboard wouldn't go out on you. The iPad Pro had a design flaw which damaged the cable between the pogo pins and keyboard cover. I'd put an otterbox on the iPad and it made it too heavy for the keyboard. First 512 GB iOS device, however.
I really hope they make another one of these someday with an M chip, I mostly use my MBA docked so the screen size is often irrelevant and I’d rather have a smaller size that’s more portable than a bigger and heavier computer
Ipad?
@@Romecross its limited by ipadOS. The m1 cant take full avantage of its power running ipados.
@@larshoving234 you mean the user can't, when using an iPad
Im a tech that repairs MacBooks daily... It's actually all my business handles. The 12 inch is absolutely notorious for CPU failures which often results in total data loss as the SSD is soldered on the board. Keep frequent backups if you use it!
I got mine for $140 on ebay 2017 (last year) and I love it! Perfect for me , Im a teacher, I need it light and long lasting battery.
How’s the battery life?
Even the 13” MacBook Pros from this era had dual core CPUs. This was peak Intel complacency era.
Ive had that Macbook for years and its no problem. It served me well with basic wordprocessing and surfing the net. The size alone makes it a buy as its lighter and smaller than anything around. easy to take on trips and easy to take to coffee shops.
I dont get why people whine about the keyboard. It is the best keyboard for me, small travel gives fantastic feeling
It's a great second computer. I have the 2016 m5 model synchronized to my other PCs and Macs with Resilio-Sync (I need to have just a handful of synchronized folders, mainly scanned documents and development work), and I bring it with me everywhere I go. It's very convenient if you want to work on the go, and to have all your important documents with you. It's much more convenient than an iPad (try coding on an iPad), and I have actually done real work on an iOS app for several years with this computer. I also owned a 15 inch Macbook Pro, but I would find myself working on the 12 inch most of the time, because of its incredible portability. Now that I also have an M1 Macbook Air, I prefer working on the Air, but the 12 inch 2016 Macbook always follows me when I leave the house.
BTW I'm on the 7th year of using it, and everything still works perfectly, including the keyboard. OK, not the battery. It had 75% capacity, and I replaced it yesterday. Now that I have replaced it, the Macbook is almost like new.
i love mine. at its size and weight, there really isn't anything else that can do what it does. The only thing it's really missing is another usb-c and Apple Silicon power. Hope it gets a revival in the near future
i have mobility issues in my fingers so the butterfly keyboard on my 13” MBP from 2018 works perfect for me. It used to suffer from sticky keys but after a good clean she was good as new!
This was one of my favorite laptops. I personally loved the butterfly keyboard. I've since upgraded numerous times and currently have the new M2 Air, but my wife still uses her m7 based 12" MacBook everyday and won't let me get her a new one.
You loved the what..??!
@@prject25 I know, hard to believe but there are those of us that did like it. I had the butterfly keyboard on the 12” MacBook, a 13” Pro and an Air. Only ever had one issue with it on the 13” Pro and Apple replaced it with a 2 day turn around. I liked the shallow keys and clicking sound it made. Heck I wrote an entire first draft of a novel on it. Though the keyboard on the M2 is also nice.
Seconded. Loved that keyboard until a power surge killed my machine.
The 2017 update of the butterfly keys weren’t bad.
@@Darthwriter I never had an issue with the keyboard but man did I hate how it felt. I had a 2017 and I hated writing on that thing for 5 years until I bought my current MacBook Pro.
I had one of those (the first iteration) from new. leaving aside the issues you had because it was a knackered unit... it *was* gutless and underpowered, the single usb-c and weak graphics that couldn't even do 4K@60 were a brake on any thoughts of docking it at home. and yes, the butterfly keyboard.
I loved it. I was even OK with the keyboard (maybe I was lucky; it never went wrong for me, but I remember noticing that even though the travel was far too short, by some alchemy I had fewer typing errors using it than on many ostensibly better ones). but I loved it because it was just so light and slim it was a laptop you'd take with you when you didn't even know you were going to use it. even when you thought you probably weren't, but you'd drop it in just in case anyway, because it's just so light. way lighter than an iPad in a magic keyboard case, for instance. and way lighter than a MacBook Air.
and anyway, it wasn't so gutless I couldn't do my usual work on it, java development. ok, you want to be more coding and less compiling but still... so I really want apple to make a new one. even though I already have a m1pro Macbook Pro, I probably wouldn't be able to resist that. again... because that MBP is a slab, frankly. I don't always bother to take it with me, unless I'm sure I'm going to need it. and sometimes I get that wrong.
I made the 12inch the backup computer for exactly what you listed. The m1 pro Mac book is the heavy hitter for when it’s needed anything else is a toss up between iPad Pro and 12inch. An M1 chip in the 12inch would change a lot going forward for computers, I’d love to see it apple!
I find myself using my 12-inch more often than not, and am just oh so hopeful I can once again purchase an Apple Silicon-based MacBook. Yes, the 14-inch M1 Pro is really nice, but nothing beats a computer I can fit into a tablet sleeve and pull out whenever it is needed, instead of carrying around a dedicated laptop bag with 50% more weight inside due to the MBP.
I bought a MacBook Air 11" off of Amazon for $210 and it's phenomenal for my On The Go Administration work! Was in brand new condition. So it's safe to say you had a bad experience! And possibly purchased from a less than great seller, because my experience has been phenomenal And my laptop is a bit older (2015) meets all of my needs for my video editing jobs as well!
i bought a 2015 macbook 12 in 2017 on ebay for a fairly cheap price and i got it because i got tired of having to carry my really heavy acer laptop for coding and work, it really got me through my engineering degree. the battery life was insane and i could go for a few days without having to charge it. though, the funniest experience i had was the macbook lagging because i added a few animations in power point, and ever since i updated the software back in 2019, the battery life decreased and now, it shows the battery needs to be serviced which sucks cause it's hard to fix it cause it's discontinued. but overall, i'm super happy about it and absolutely love the form factor. they really NEED to put this macbook back but with the M2 chip!
You and past self went as far as wearing the same shirt. Love it bahahaha
Great video as usual, just let me say, the keyboard is a pure matter of preferences, i had a 2017 pro 13, i loved the butterfly on it, i was not writing man, i was flying. Now that i got an m2, i really like the travel of keys but i missed the buttery for a week.. It's just habits...
I don't understand that butterfly keyboard hate. It was the best type of keys that apple laptops ever had, I really miss the butterfly using now my mba m1.
I just bought the MacBook Air M2 to replace this computer that I bought in 2019. I loved it! Such a beautiful computer and its size was perfect for a student. I never had any issues with the keyboard, I miss it! It had a bit of a overheating problem (especially when using Microsoft Teams) but overall got the job done.
Me watching this on my 12" Macbook (2015) 👀... hate the butterfly keyboard and the battery life, but love the size and portability of it.
That noise from opening the lid for the first time 😢
It was terrible right?!
I would love to see a MacBook 12" with 12Z or M1 into it
Thanks for experimenting for me Gary. Now I know what I’m not doing anytime soon.
The 30hz limit was probably because you were using a 4K display (could've also been a limit on the USB-C dock you were using too). If it was a 1080p display like most folks are probably using, I would assume it would do 60hz just fine. I can't imagine people buying "the cheapest Macbook possible" are using 4K displays.
I get how weary it can be buying from resellers... I recently bought my 2018 13 inch MacBook Pro from a reseller on Walmart's website. When I received the MacBook, nothing was really terrible about it, it had some keys that were stuck which was a real bummer, however after about a month of use, those keys unstuck themselves and now work as intended. There was only a few minor scuffs, the charging cable looks horrendous, the charger itself was an off-brand charger, after I bought a genuine charger and cable from apple, it works amazingly to this day, and im so glad I bought it! I just needed something that could handle editing 4k video without too much trouble (which it does almost perfectly) and just something that I could comfortably use as a daily computer. I actually really enjoy the typing experience as well!
I know I may ve the only crazy person in the world, but I loved the 12" MacBook while I had it. And yes, I did have issues with the keyboard a couple of times, when dirt got under the keys and would not allow me to type properly, however, I even liked the clacking noise the keys would make when typing fast. I have an M2 MacBook Air now and it's much bigger than the 12" model used to be. I sometimes whish MacBook would give some love to those who like a truly small laptop that will test the boundaries of how small you can go.
Hi, my name is Henry , I’m a student in Ghana and I really love your videos. You inspire me to study hard and make it. Watching your videos encourages me to work hard and afford a laptop. It turns out, I’ll not be able to get one. Keep making us happy 😊.
I have the 2015 12" MacBook. I got it used from a friend for a 100 bucks. It's excellent for the money i spent. Perfect for watching TH-cam Premium. I bring it with me everywhere. I replaced the battery. I use it for watching movies/tv shows and listening to Apple Music. It feels like a new machine everytime I use it. I even use it to digitize old VHS tapes and 8mm camcorder tapes as well as edit. The screen is beautiful. It comes in handy when I don't wanna lug my 2017 5K iMac back and forth places.
I'm interested in what the battery cycles are. Most of the bench marks don't mean much on an older machine!
imagine if apple released an m1 lite or an m2 lite and put them into the same chassis of the 12 inch, with a better keyboard. honestly, as a student with a computer for more heavier tasks, i would be fine for a 6 or 4 core version of the m1. hell, it proved that the regular m1 doesn't even need to be cooled with fans, so even the regular m1 would be okay in this chassis.
You bought a garbage laptop with the worst processor. I’m not sure what the point of this is. This comment sounds mean but it seems silly. Great production value. Good editing. Those are positives.
I've had a 12 inch macbook since 2016 and it's my favorite form factor. Its basically a chromebook at this point but being aware of it shortcomings I'm fine with it that being said if they made a new one tomorrow is be first in line 😁
I don't think MacOS Ventura will work on it
I have the 2017 base model and it’s good for school and simpler tasks but not things like video editing. The keyboard is not the best and can break easily if your trying to remove keys for cleaning and the battery life is alright as well I get 4-7 hours. The deign however is still one of the best Apple has ever made and it fits in a backpack like a slim notebook. The display is really good too since it’s a 1440p on only a 12” display. The 2017 model will also be getting Ventura as well. Although it does have a little lag on Monterey.
I think Apple should put a M1 in a mini laptop like this again but as of now the M1 iPad Pro 11” has that spot, but if Apple were to remake the 12” MacBook it would complete the 11” 12” 13” 14” lineup of MacBooks they have going.
My 2018 Macbook Pro 15 has the butterfly keyboard and I personally love it. Honestly, the i7 and Radeon pro GPU are more than enough for my workload and I don't plan on upgrading any time soon. Gotta love how long Macbooks last!
I had that MacBook and the keyboard failed twice. Replaced under apple but still. Way to go. Had to resell it after the second repair.
Maybe I got one of your failed keyboards lol.
I scored on a 2015 MacBook Pro 15” 16gb ram. It’s still got the good keyboard and ports on it. The screen and speakers are great and although the newer stuff is better this thing will totally hold me over til I can afford one of the newest models.
I replaced the battery and upgraded the memory on my early 2015 MBP 13”, and the thing works great. I am bummed about MAC-OS Ventura not being supported for it.
I don’t recommend getting one of those 12 inch MacBook’s, I had one and it didn’t last three months and some of my friends had one but I don’t know if it lasted them either.
you can always use Opencore Legacy Patcher (OCLP) to install unsupported versions of macOS on older devices. Sad to see a 2015 device is now considered old and it's even sadder to realize 2015 was 7 years ago.
Hopefully you can keep your macbook alive with OCLP and breathe some new life into it.
I know technology changes fast when it comes to computers. I'd like to see a video of what someone should get if they are starting from scratch with a 2k budget. Possibly 1 for video editing and without video editing. But needing everything
For a desktop, an upgraded M1 Mac mini would satisfy your needs and be the least expensive route. As a video editor, I got 16GB RAM but the least amount of storage. I primarily use iCloud storage for personal stuff and an external SSD to store video production files. That would cost $900, leaving you plenty for a nice monitor and keyboard/mouse. Don’t cheap out on the mouse, spend at least $50 on a quality one. Mine is Logi branded. And remember you’ll need to spend on your video editing software. Final Cut can be bundled with the Mac for $200.
boy this mac studio is fast
You should have bought the 2017 model. That one has the improved keyboard.
Please no one buy this machine, cpu failure, usb-c port failure, ssd failure, keyboard failure. Don’t do that to yourself
I got the 2015 model for $200 and replaced the keyboard for $30 now the computer works like a charm and its my secondary computer.
I literally just purchased a 12” for the first time too! I got it from a seller on eBay who had it listed as a 2016, but when I received it, system info says it’s the 2015. I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s is a Frankenstein of a 2015 logic board and 2016 top-case. Mine was 240 and in clean condition
Lol return and complain
There is nothing great about the MacBook 12". One USB-C port, slowest processor, reminds me of the first gen MacBook Air. It's discontinued by Apple because it wasn't good.
I tried a butterfly keyboard on a Mac in a Best Buy at the time. It was so lifeless, feedback-less, I wanted to BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF IT just to get some kind of feeling from typing. It’s one thing that keeps me using my mid 10 pro and a mini and not getting a newer Mac.
The 2017 version supports 4K at 60 Hz. This is the best generation to get, as the I7 (highest end) could turbo up to 3.6 GHz, and with 16 GB of RAM, it's still surprisingly usable, even five years after its prime. Just goes to show the longevity of well-made hardware.
Apple has given me IBM-like reliability and unparalleled ease of use. No longer do I have to pay an additional cost to have equal access to my computer, (JAWS for Windows at $1095.00 and upgrades every two years at $329, not including the PC). I get hardware upgrades along with the subscription. Patiently waiting and watching, for when Apple releases a 12-inch MacBook with dual USB C / Thunderbolt 4 ports, one on each side, both Touch and FaceID with CenterStage, Apple Silicon, 32 GB RAM, 2 TB storage and I'll be happily adding that to my cart! May opt for more storage or RAM if they offer it, because I want to get the absolute best bang for my buck, but want to get the best I can reasonably afford.
I use the 2017 12 macbook and I love it!
Hey Gary, I think the USB-C not holding on the cable is so that if you hit the cable the whole computer doesn’t fall, I have one and whenever I plug in the Type-C cable it fells like it won’t hold, but when I plug in the adapter that gives me USB-A and HDMI it holds just fine. By the way yours has 2015 MacBook, display cause the 2015 only have the SF font on keyboard, the name plate on the display has the old font, that was fixed in 2016 and the 2015 doesn’t run macOS Monterey. And I believe it’s original starting price was the same a 13” Unibody MacBook Pro from the same era. And something else, you’ll probably have a better experience if you try out the Core i5 or Core i7.
I still have my 2016 m7 version. Only starting to show its age. I’ve able to use Lightroom and QGIS on it without too much stress. It’s starting to slow and I’m starting to look at upgrading to a MBP 14”
Hold off, in case they make something at this size and formfactor but with significantly more power.
The problems with the heat with the 2016 12 inch MacBook are gone with the M1 chip and M2.
Like many commenters, I LOVE the MB 12! I had Apple put a new battery in it a couple of years ago. Again, like SO many others, I’m praying that Apple makes a new one with Apple silicon. There are rumors to that effect and I hope they aren’t just wishful thinking. Fingers crossed that it gets an M3 with 3nm tech. The butterfly keyboard takes getting used to. It doesn’t bother me anymore and you can type on it very well. The keys are huge and you can hit them anywhere so I actually think they had a good idea but dust apparently go in the way…I’ve never had an issue…but I take very good care of my devices - my MB 12 looks like brand new without a single blemish or flaw of any kind.
Hey, Long time follower this side. Just wanted to ask u, I’m a high school student and will probably keep my laptop for say 3-4 years and have three choices:
1) MacBook Air M1 16GB Ram(1149$)
2) MacBook Pro M2 base model(1154$)
3) MacBook Air M1 base model(1199$)
The best laptop Apple has ever made, for casual users (eg 90% of people). So portable and amazingly designed.
They need to remake this with the M1. That would be the ultimate MacBook.
8:47 I think it's only outputting up to 30hz bc of the dock you're using. I had that same usb dock for my iPad, and it said in the manual that the hdmi would only do 30hz at 4k resolution.
I used a base model 2016 MacBook 12" from 2018 until I got an M1 MacBook Air in March this year. I even edited 4K footage on it (don't ask me how, because now it can barely play a 1440p TH-cam video without having problems). I used to love the keyboard until I used the new one, and now I hate the old keyboard lol. And my 12" MacBook's USB-C port also didn't have any resistance, so that's normal
That MacBook is cursed, EVERYTHING CAN AND WILL FAIL
That ERA was the iPhone based MacBook due to it's logic board.
I am so glad you purchased this. I have been thinking of buying that exact one for my son for college to go along with his mac-mini. I will just bite the bullet and get the m1 mb-air. So Gary, how is the keyboard?
I can't even bring myself to type on it anymore, its literally the worst.
As a med student myself I really cannot recommend the M1 Air enough. For the not so cheap price of $850 its performance, battery life, and build quality are unmatched. I am not sure if the 8GB RAM will cause issues in the future, however, it works flawlessly for the time being.
@@TheEverydayDad The keyboard is a fairly easy replacement and really cheap, you can find a new top case with keyboard on ebay for under $50 thats how I got my 12 inch working very good again!
@@TheEverydayDad 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Wish it was possible to hack an M1 logic board into these. It was so far ahead of its time and intel just couldn’t cut it
for some odd reason i loved 2018 macbook pro keyboard XD, i think it's the same or very similar
There’s a reseller on Amazon that I got an M1 pro from and it came in the worst condition I’ve ever seen. The charger wasn’t even a Mac charger, it was a Nokia brick for a phone. When I tried to open up a return they tried to charge a “40% restocking fee.”
Needless to say, I went through Amazon themself and told them I sent it back (which I did) and they authorized the full refund immediately.
I was also told by that guy if I ordered anything ever again through him, he wrote down my address and WILL NOT send any items to me due to skating around his refund policy with amazons A to Z policy.
@Central Based Agency yes list the name
watching on my 2015 macbook🥺🥺
You should plug it in for benchmarks, that particular intel processor was not fast anyway, but it would run better
Looking at these today, they seem to have skyrocketed in price (In Europe at least)
Early 2016 Apple MacBook with 1.1GHz Intel Core m3 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $549
Unfortunate that you hate the keyboard. Actually loved it. I think Greg McFadden mentioned he also liked it in a video. Was thinking you were going to show abs or something as you attempted to wipe off FaceTime camera.
I have had 3 of these 12", my wife had une and I gave her an M1 Pro 13", she swore she was ok with the 12", now she won't let the M1 go.
I found a MacBook Air 2020 early renia on a pawnshop for less then 400$ with noting wrong and it had been the best thing ever
that's one of the best Macbook Apple has ever done. We need this in M2 NOW
I almost bout one of these but setled for an 11" MBA from 2014. Its not a speed demon at all... its tiny and light.. and I can go around online; watch videos etc.. but even with a new battery... it drains so quickly! Because to do much of anything its just running at full tilt.
I skipped over those series... so glad. I did spend $160 to replace my 2014 MBP 15" with Nvidia GPU card (no long supported I believe in Mac OS). The 15" MBP battery swap is insanely hard.. 13" MBA is simple and fast.. keep that in mind if shopping for used MBP/MBA 13"/15". I'm glad I got my 2014 MBP 15" repaired (battery was swelling and disabled the trackpad and was looking like a football on edge. Now it's a great fast older laptop to drag around with new battery and decent older screen. the 11" MBA I nearly purchased, but decided to fix my 2015.. and who knows, maybe some day get one just because.. but yes.. you are better off and getting a M1 MBA. :)
Can you make an accessories video for the 12inch MacBook?
I'm really disappointed that apple didn't bring back the "macbook" for the M series. would love a 12 inch laptop that lasts all day and weighs nothing and is still fast enough to smash gaming laptops.ofc they should make it slightly thicker to get rid of the butterfly though.
I love how his email notifications are in the 5 digits😂
That big icons on the bottom bar :DDD but small text
I agree with you. I would love a form factor like this but the butterfly keyboard is awful.
I brought this few months ago and its all good however i have a few complains.
Keys will not stick to the keyboard, one fell off.
The gunk around the screen sticked to the sides of the lower part.
Overheat easily even if im just using edge .
But its from 2016, so i think i shouldn’t complain.
Overall it is useable and i loved the design and form factor.
I might sell it after some time, but for now i will stick to it.
I am very familiar with the concept of "wasteful waffling".
i bought the 2015 macbook 12 for £120 about a month ago, runs great!
Keep in mind that it was so slow because it was only on 1% and it had to throttle the processor to not shut down.
Why didn’t you clean it before using it?!
When these came out I wanted one. Just didn’t have the power for me but like the form factor. Maybe you can put in the m1 logic board in there?
I had to work on my sons 2017 MacBook Pro butterfly keyboard and forgot how bad they are. Don’t think I could go back…
I found one of these for $350 CAD, is it still worth it in 2022 as a cheap school only laptop?
Yes, if you keep your expectations in check.
Your videos are brilliant mate!
I really liked the butterfly keyboard it was awesome for me.
2017 was the last and the best year to get. 16GB ram, 512 SSD and Intel 1.4
Can you post the Amazon link of the product?
thanks
When you buy a brand new mac from amazon (NOT USED) does it come brand new in a box and everything? Just like you buy it from apple store? Because im thinking of purchasing one from amazon because its cheaper. But im scared :)
Originally seeing how little you got that thing for… I felt stupid for buying a 9th gen iPad for more than that MacBook, but hearing how awful the keyboard is, seeing how crappy the condition is, and knowing that the MacBook in the video probably has less processing power than the A13 in my iPad, and most definitely won’t last as long as my iPad… I feel much smarter for going with the iPad. If I’m buying a MacBook… I’ll just go new or Apple Refurbished.
Damn that box is overkill
I ran Xcode on that thing. Only bad apple decision I’ve ever regretted.
I love your videos and i alleays find them helpful you allways have an option for everyone, thank you so much.
Amazon sucks with computers.
I tried buying a refurbished iMac trice and both times got iMacs with screwed up GPUs and the first one literally smelled like it had been on fire before.
I always thought people were being babies about the butterfly keys, thinking “how bad could they be?” but then I tried somebody else’s macbook. Good god, it is terrible, how on earth did anyone ever think it was okay
i´ve been using this laptop (MacBook 12") for about 7 months and i think is a good one (and i can´t afford a better one hahaha) im a music producer and with Logic pro it works really good
You really dragging the keyboard it’s not that bad I’ve had my 12 inch for 3 months and I’m used to it