Owning a MacBook in 2023 has become necessary if you aim to do only productive professional tasks. While Windows laptops still reign supreme in terms of sales and gaming, professionals are always better off with a MacBook. You must learn about the older MacBook 12in M7 if you’re on a tight budget.
While this laptop might be old and only refurbished and used models can be bought now. It still packs a punch for the price that you will be paying.
Therefore, read my review about this 12 inch MacBook by reading this post till the end.
Macbook 12in M7 Specifications
The various parts and specifications and the MacBook 12-inch price are:
Operating System (OS) | MacOS X |
Display | 12in (2304 x 1440p) Retina Display |
Processor | 1.3 GHz dual-core Intel Core m7 |
Graphics Card | Intel HD 615 |
Memory (RAM) | 8GB or 16GB 1866MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM |
Storage | 512GB PCIe SSD |
Ports | 1x USB 3.1 Gen 1 1x DisplayPort 1.2 1x VGA port 1x HDMI port 1x 3.5mm audio jack |
Dimensions | Height: 0.52in Width: 11.04in Depth: 7.74in Weight: 2.03 pounds (0.92kgs) |
Colors | Space GrayRose Gold |
Price (Renewed) | $500 – $650 |
Macbook 12in M7 Review
After waiting for weeks, I finally got my hand on a refurbished Macbook 12in M7, which was in great condition. Being as curious as a cat, I soon started tinkering around with this laptop, running various applications on it.
After running various tests running various apps on this device, my 12 inch MacBook M7 review is based on its performance. Here, I have also stated what I liked and did not like about this laptop.
1. Looks
Apple never fails to deliver a premium feel when it comes to looks. This MacBook 12 inch M7 laptop has very thin edges and bevels, which makes the display look better than it should.
The same can be said for the lower platform of this device – its keyboard and trackpad. The keyboard has full LED backlit support. However, just like all MacBooks, it has no RGB lighting system. The screen and the keyboard are durable enough since they appear hard.
Additionally, they do not sway along to the wind of my room’s fans, which many other laptop screens do.
This laptop has a very slim form factor and a lightweight structure (2.03 pounds). Therefore, I was pretty happy with its portability and premium looks. Working with his laptop on my lap felt comfortable. This is because the cooling fans on the sides are placed perfectly enough not to burn my thighs.
2. Display
The 12inch retina display of this laptop looks absolutely gorgeous. I was not surprised by its vivid and crystal clear quality since I expected it from this MacBook. Apple has so far made their MacBook displays top-notch, enhanced by a retina display and higher-than-average resolutions.
The MacBook 12in M7 has a 16:10 aspect ratio with a screen resolution of 2304 x 1440p (2k support).
Additionally, it supports millions of color gamuts, with the screen holding 226 pixels per inch.
This results in the screen being pretty vivid and colorful, with the perfect contrast and brightness for all situations. I enjoyed every second I spent watching movies in 2K quality. Every scene filled with the wonders of CGI in Life of Pi and Avengers: Endgame looked jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Even though the screen is only 12 inches in size, I wish it was bigger with a 15-inch or 17-inch size.
3. Connectivity
Regarding connectivity options, the Macbook 12in M7 laptop has just the right amount to satisfy you. Its different USB 3.1 ports allow you to plug in external mice, keyboards, speakers, USB drives, and lots more.
In addition, it has a 3.5mm audio jack that helps you connect various audio devices like speakers and headsets. It also has a DisplayPort, to which you can connect an additional 4K monitor if you wish. I tested its connectivity with a simple 24nch 1080p monitor, and it worked perfectly without lag.
4. Performance
After running various applications on it, I was somewhat satisfied with the performance of this Macbook 12in M7 (2017) laptop. I used various applications like Final Cut Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Blender 3D Studio, and lots more.
I expected these apps to run smoothly on this laptop with 16GB RAM and a 1.3GHz dual-core Intel Core m7 processor. And they did not disappoint in this aspect.
All these applications performed well in this half-a-decade-old Macbook. I experienced no lags and hitches using these applications. However, I did experience some slowdowns when I tried to edit a 4K video on Final Cut Pro. Similarly, I experienced some slowdowns while using Blender. Some of the more complex 3D animations faced some jitters here and there.
However, the most fun I had was while using FruityLoops Studio. I made a pretty bass-heavy lo-fi track on FL Studio, which felt smoother than most Windows laptops and computers. I faced no issues doing so. Therefore, music producers will rejoice in using this laptop, helping them extend their creativity to new directions.
5. Battery
MacBooks have provided some serious competition to Windows laptops due to their retina display screens and impeccable battery life. In this regard, this 12-inch laptop doesn’t disappoint.
I simply used this laptop for some sessions to play music from iTunes while connected to my 5.1 speakers. It ran for approximately 10 hours before I had to plug it on charge. When it came to surfing the web (and playing music), it lasted an hour less.
However, it ran for approximately 8 hours while using it for video editing and music production. This is far better than most Windows laptops, which helps Apple users see its quality. Therefore, if you plan to take this laptop out a lot and work on the go, it will be a better choice compared to most windows laptops in this price range.
Macbook 12in M7 User Reviews
Users have been fairly satisfied using this laptop so far in 2022 and beyond. Here’s what Jitender from India had to say about this MacBook:
Only portability works well with it. Performance is not bad; browsing in multiple tabs and switching between them is ok, better in pro but insignificant. Most emails and web surfing photos work fine.
Macbook 12in M7 Alternatives
In my opinion, the best alternative that you will get for the MacBook 12in M7 is the current generation of Macbooks. You can also try out the iMac Pro i7 4k if you want an Apple desktop. You can buy alternative laptops:
1. MacBook Air M2
Price: $1199
Ths laptop has the latest Apple M2 chip with an eight-core CPU and GPU combined. It has a 13.6” screen with a resolution of 2560 x 1664 pixels. Additionally, it has 8GB RAM (expandable to 24GB) and a 512GB SSD (expandable to 2TB). However, its battery life has been significantly expanded, going as high as 18 hours of movie playback.
2. MacBook Pro 13”
Price: $1299
This 13” MacBook Pro also has the same Apple M2 chip explained above. It has a 13.3” screen with a 2560 x 1600 pixel resolution. Its RAM and storage are the same as the MacBook Air described above. In addition, it has a better battery life with 20 hours of Apple TV movie playback.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Laptop and Apple product connoisseurs have many questions on their minds regarding the Macbook 12in M7. The answers to some of these questions are as follows:
The release date of this Macbook was way back in April 2016. However, its production was soon discontinued in September 2017.
No, MacBooks, in general, are not meant for gaming. Therefore, buying one will benefit people seeking creative and professional work, like video editing and music production.
Yes, this MacBook will be good for you if you intend to do professional and creative work like graphic designing and video editing. However, there are various Windows laptops with the same price tag that will offer better features.
Final Verdict: Is The Macbook 12in M7 Worth It In 2023?
In my opinion, you can buy this MacBook 12in M7 if you can find a refurbished one in stores or on eBay. From its performance and looks, it will provide the same experience you expect from a MacBook.
However, I would still noy recommend buying this laptop if you can spend more. The first reason is that it’s unavailable in any stores, and you will need to look for used models. Secondly, it’s pretty old, with better MacBooks available on the market (although a lot pricier). Also, many Windows laptops will beat this one in performance-to-price comparison sans a higher-quality display and battery. Additionally, gamers should stay away from this MacBook.
Pros | Cons |
➡ Amazing 12-inch retina display ➡ Great quality keyboard and trackpad ➡ Various connectivity ports ➡ Impressive battery life. | ➡ Screen could’ve been bigger ➡ Ten-keyless keyboard is never better than the full keyboard ➡ No recommended for gamers. |
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