MacBook Early 2015

While it carries the same name as earlier MacBook models, the MacBook "Core M" 1.2 12-Inch (Early 2015) and its slightly lower-end sibling, the MacBook "Core M" 1.1 12-Inch (Early 2015), are a significant evolution from their predecessors.

Designed for maximum portability, the "Early 2015" MacBook models are even more lightweight and slender than the smallest MacBook Air models. With just a single USB-C port for connectivity and a headphone jack, the hardware configuration is more reminiscent of an iPad with an attached keyboard than of previous Apple notebooks. Nevertheless, these MacBooks run OS X, not the iPad's iOS.

The MacBook "Core M" 1.2 12-Inch (Early 2015) is equipped with a 14-nm 1.2 GHz Intel "Core M" processor (M-5Y51), featuring two independent "cores" on a single chip, a 4 MB level 3 cache, and an integrated Intel HD Graphics 5300 processor that shares system memory. It includes 8 GB of non-upgradable onboard 1600 MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM and 512 GB of non-upgradable onboard PCIe-based flash storage.

This is all housed in an ultra-slim (0.14-0.52 inch), 2.03-pound aluminum case, available in traditional silver, gold, and a darker "Space Gray." It also features a 480p FaceTime webcam, a backlit full-size keyboard with a thin "butterfly mechanism," an innovative haptic-capable "Force Touch" trackpad, and a beautiful 12" TFT LED-backlit active-matrix "Retina" display (2304x1440 resolution at 226 ppi). Apple notes that the notebook also employs a new "tiered" battery design to optimize space within the chassis, delivering 9-10 hours of runtime depending on use.

As the higher-end configuration of the first-generation 12-inch MacBook, this 1.2 GHz model featured a faster Core M processor and 512GB of storage. The performance improvement over the base model was tangible, with the difference being particularly noticeable when switching between multiple applications. Many users found that this slight performance boost led to a more comfortable user experience. However, being a fanless design, this model was still not suited for intensive tasks. It also shared the same single USB-C port and first-generation butterfly keyboard as the base model, which garnered similarly mixed reviews. For users seeking smoother operation and larger storage capacity, this higher-tier model was an appealing choice.