[dropcaps style=’2′]Apple’s most recent MacBook isn’t a spec redesign nor is it an incremental update. It’s unexpected, it’s in a class of it’s own, and in a spirit of a company once head by Steve Jobs… it’s designed for a special type of person.[/dropcaps]
[image src=’http://fnx.network/fnxnetwork/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/NewMacBook1.jpg’ width=’448′ height=’218′ title=’Source: Apple. Now available in Gold.’ align=’right’]As a matter of first importance, it is unimaginably, unthinkably thin… We live in a glorious age where technology so powerful can be crammed into a space so small. I myself have a MacBook Pro from last year and Mindy (your guru in all things Independent/Unsigned music) has had a MacBook Air for just over a year but this new 13.1mm thick, 2 pounder makes even the Air seem like a thick MacBook from 2008. Initial reports have come out that it’s amazingly durable despite it being so thin keeping the screen safe so that you can go on to view your documents and webpages on the retina level 2304×1400 display without a worry for another “bendgate”.

[quote style=’1′ cite=” title=”]”The screen alone will get the average MacBook Air to atleast consider their next upgrade.”[/quote]
[image src=’http://fnx.network/fnxnetwork/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/NewMacBook3.jpg’ width=’460′ height=’502′ title=’Source: Apple. With bigger Keys and a slimmer body.’ align=’left’]For those that watched the Apple Spring 2015 event, you may have thought they took a lot of time talking about the design… but looking at this device you can understand why. Everything about the MacBook is about precision, from the single USB-C port which will become a hub of all your peripherals on the left, a space for your headphones on the right, the new butterfly switch keys, the force touch trackpad, or the new Gold, Space Gray, and Silver hues. Personally… I like the Space Grey, but Gold is impressive as is the traditional Silver.
If you have used a MacBook Pro or Air since late 2008 you may have already noticed that the keys on the MacBook lines are very low profile. On the new MacBook, they are even more lower, and with the butterfly switch so light it’s almost a feeling of pressing an on-screen keyboard with slight vibration. This can be a positive or a negative depending on your typing style. As someone who spends most of their day on a desktop with an IBM Model M keyboard (1989 baby!) and a home desktop with a Ducky Shine 2 with MX Cherry Black keys, I already find the current keyboard super low profile and missing that satisfying drop and tactile feedback. Still, it comes down to preference and when you have a laptop that slim you do have to make a trade off somewhere.
What does definitely impress me is the force touch trackpad, the different levels of pressure being registered is most definitely a plus as I am someone who loves gestures and this is something which improves that work flow.
[image src=’http://fnx.network/fnxnetwork/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/NewMacBook4.jpg’ width=’440′ height=’290′ title=’Source: Apple. Three colours.’ align=’right’]
It’s amazing how well the new MacBook runs without a fan and on a Core M processor, basic functions run superbly and just like I was surprised how well games and Creative Suites ran on the Air I am still impressed with the new line of MacBooks. It definitely doesn’t come close to the Pro but it holds enough grunt for Joe Average.
So far it is promising, though pricey at US-$1299 for the base model. Some might pay a little extra and go for the Pro or be content with an Air but surely the screen resolution and thin, light body might be convincing enough for many to go for the returning MacBook range.

Image Sources: Apple