MacBook Early 2016

The MacBook "Core m5" 1.2 12-Inch (Early 2016) runs on a 14-nm 1.2 GHz Intel "Core m5" Skylake processor (M5-6Y54), which has two independent processor "cores" on a single chip and a 4 MB level 3 cache. It includes an integrated Intel HD Graphics 515 processor that shares system memory, 8 GB of non-upgradable onboard 1866 MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM, and 512 GB of non-upgradable onboard PCIe 3.0-based flash storage.

This is all enclosed in an exceptionally slim (0.14-0.52 inch), 2.03-pound aluminum case, available in Silver, a darker "Space Gray," Gold, and a pink-hued "Rose Gold." It also comes with a 480p FaceTime webcam, a backlit full-size keyboard with a thin "butterfly mechanism" design, an innovative haptic-capable "Force Touch" trackpad, and a beautiful 12" TFT LED-backlit active-matrix "Retina" display (2304x1440 resolution at 226 ppi). The device offers 10-11 hours of battery life depending on usage.

When compared to its predecessor, it is quite similar but features a more advanced processor and graphics, faster RAM and storage, a higher-capacity battery, and an additional "Rose Gold" finish option.

As the higher-end model in the 2016 MacBook lineup, this machine, powered by a Core m5 processor, delivered noticeably better performance than the base model. Users experienced tangible speed improvements in various scenarios, including application launches, file operations, and browsing with multiple tabs open. The faster PCIe-based SSD, in particular, played a significant role in enhancing overall system responsiveness. The increased battery capacity was also a welcome addition, praised for providing greater peace of mind during mobile use. However, the series' characteristic challenges, such as the keyboard's feel and the limited number of ports, remained. For users seeking higher performance, this Core m5 model was considered a worthwhile upgrade that elevated the practicality of the 12-inch MacBook.