2016 Macbook: Rose Gold Refresh!

The 2016 MacBook in rose gold is presented as a light, ultra-thin notebook that largely mirrors the previous year’s model. Marques Brownlee points out that outside of the color refresh, the device remains essentially the same in design, dimensions, keyboard, trackpad, speaker, and display, making this more of a version 1.2 than a true second generation. The key changes occur inside, with a Skylake Intel Core m processor lineup that peaks at a 1.3 GHz Core m7 and a turbo boost up to 3.1 GHz, delivering noticeably better CPU and GPU performance. Storage speeds see a boost as the internal SSD writes around 400 MB/s and reads around 800 MB/s, contributing to snappier overall responsiveness and improved battery efficiency thanks to a slightly denser battery. Brownlee also notes practical drawbacks that remain unchanged, including a single USB-C port without any USB-A or additional ports, and a 480p webcam, which stand out as compromises in 2016 when higher quality cameras and more versatility were common. He concludes that for existing fans or those on the fence, the 2016 model is a valid upgrade over last year’s version but not a dramatic leap, and he still regards the 13-inch MacBook Pro as a stronger option for higher performance needs while affirming the 12-inch MacBook as a compelling, highly portable machine.

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