Electronics retailer Best Buy has quietly removed all 12-inch MacBook models from its U.S. online store this week, fueling anticipation that Apple will refresh the ultra-thin notebook lineup in the near future.
The authorized reseller now lists all 12-inch MacBook models as "no longer available" on its website, whereas some remained available for purchase or in-store pickup as recently as this weekend.
Select MacBook Air models are also on sale for $150 off, potentially signaling that a broader Mac refresh could be imminent. Most current machines are historically due for an update, and appropriate Intel Skylake processors are now widely available. However, it should be noted that Best Buy frequently offers sales on Apple products.
Last month, reference of an early 2016 Retina MacBook, which has yet to be released, was discovered within OS X's System Image Utility application, spurring hopes that Apple will refresh the 12-inch MacBook by late April.
Apple has historically used the "early" model identifier for devices that launch during the first four months of the year, so Best Buy removing 12-inch MacBook stock is yet another indication that Apple may refresh the notebook within the next two weeks. If the refresh is in May or later, a "mid 2016" model identifier will likely be used.
Our Mac Buyer's Guide indicates that it has been 374 days since Apple released the current 12-inch MacBook on April 10, 2015, so it would be appropriate timing for a refresh. The notebook will likely be powered by Intel's low-power Skylake Core m3-6Y30, Core m5-6Y54, and Core m7-6Y75 processors.
Update: Select 12-inch MacBook models are also listed as out of stock at MacMall.
Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:02 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today introduced the iPhone 16e, its newest entry-level smartphone. The device succeeds the third-generation iPhone SE, which has now been discontinued.
The iPhone 16e features a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, up from a 4.7-inch LCD on the iPhone SE. The display has a notch for Face ID, and this means that Apple no longer sells any iPhones with a Touch ID fingerprint button, marking the ...
Tuesday February 18, 2025 12:02 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Over the years, Apple has switched from an aluminum frame to a stainless steel frame to a titanium frame for its highest-end iPhones. And now, it has been rumored that Apple will go back to using aluminum for three out of four iPhone 17 models.
In an investor note with research firm GF Securities, obtained by MacRumors this week, Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu said the iPhone 17, iPhone...
Thursday February 20, 2025 5:06 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Now that Apple has announced its new more affordable iPhone 16e, our thoughts turn to what else we are expecting from the company this spring.
There are three product categories that we are definitely expecting to get upgraded before spring has ended. Keep reading to learn what they are. If we're lucky, Apple might make a surprise announcement about a completely new product category.
M4...
Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:38 am PST by Juli Clover
Following the launch of the iPhone 16e, Apple updated its iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia pages to give a narrower timeline on when the next updates are set to launch.
All three pages now state that new Apple Intelligence features and languages will launch in early April, an update from the more broader April timeframe that Apple provided before. The next major point updates will be iOS ...
Thursday February 13, 2025 8:07 am PST by Joe Rossignol
In a social media post today, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased an upcoming "launch" of some kind scheduled for Wednesday, February 19.
"Get ready to meet the newest member of the family," he said, with an #AppleLaunch hashtag.
The post includes a short video with an animated Apple logo inside a circle.
Cook did not provide an exact time for the launch, or share any other specific details, so...
Apple today announced its first custom cellular modem with the name "C1," debuting in the all-new iPhone 16e.
The new modem contributes to the iPhone 16e's power efficiency, giving it the longest battery life of any iPhone with a 6.1-inch display, such as the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16.
Expanding the benefits of Apple silicon, C1 is the first modem designed by Apple and the most...
Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:46 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple is permanently closing its retail store at the Northbrook Court shopping mall in the Chicago area. The company confirmed the upcoming closure today in a statement, but it has yet to provide a closing date for the location.
Apple Northbrook opened in 2005, and the store moved to a larger space in the mall in 2017.
Apple confirmed that affected employees will continue to work for the...
Personally want a Retina MBA refresh. 2 or 3 Thunderbolt 3 ports (USBc) + SD-Card + lighter and possibly 14" with thinner bezels. And kill the 11" MBA. No need for it and lower price of MB to make it entry model.
When will people realize that the new 12" MB IS the retina MacBook Air?
I use the entry level of last years model for every day use, have had zero issues with it. I edit photos, videos and even screen capture material from my phone. Depending on what they change I may pick up this years and sell last years. People should try these out, they aren't "slow" like the reviewers make them out to be.
