MacBook 9,1

On April 19, 2016, Apple updated the Retina MacBook 8,1 model installing the new sixth-generation Intel Core M processors, Intel HD 515 graphics, faster RAM, longer battery life, faster storage and a new rose gold finish. The MacBook 9,1 Retina (Early-2016) 9,1 is similar in appearance to the MacBook Air, but is thinner and lighter. The computer offers a high-resolution Retina Display, a Force Touch trackpad, a redesigned keyboard, and only two ports: a headphone jack and a USB 3.1 Type-C port for charging, data transfer and video output. In the line of MacBook machines the model sits below the MacBook Pro in terms of average specifications.

MacBook 9,1 (12 Inch, Early 2016)

The MacBook 9,1 Retina Core m3 1.1 (12-inch, Early 2016) features a 14-nm 1.1 GHz Intel Core m3 Skylake processor (M3-6Y30) with two independent processor “cores” on a single chip, a 4 MB level 3 cache, an “integrated” Intel HD Graphics 515 graphics processor that shares system memory, 8 GB of onboard 1866 MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM (that cannot be upgraded), and 256 GB of onboard PCIe 3.0-based flash storage (that also cannot be upgraded).

The MacBook 9,1 Retina Core m5 1.2 (12-inch, Early 2016) features a 14-nm 1.2 GHz Intel Core m5 Skylake processor (M5-6Y54) with two independent processor cores on a single chip. It has 512 GB of onboard PCIe 3.0-based flash storage, that cannot be upgraded. Otherwise, its specifications are the same as in the MacBook 9,1 Retine Core m3 model.

The MacBook 9,1 Retina Core m7 1.3 (12-inch, Early-2016) is a CTO (short for “configure-to-order”) configuration of either the MacBook 9,1 Retina Core m3 1.1 (12-inch, Early-2016) or MacBook 9.1 Retina Core m5 1.2 (12-inch, Early 2016). Other than processor, this version is identical to its lower-end brethren.

Release Date

April 19, 2016.

Specifications

• Processor: 1.1 GHz dual-core Intel Core m3-6Y30 Skylake processor (cTDP Up mode, Turbo Boost up to 2.2 GHz) with 4MB L3 cache 1.2 GHz dual-core Intel Core m5-6Y54 Skylake processor (cTDP Up mode, Turbo Boost up to 2.7 GHz) with 4MB L3 cache. Configurable 1.3 GHz dual-core Intel Core m7-6Y75 Skylake processor (cTDP Up mode, Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz) with 4 MB L3 cache.
• System Bus: 4 GT/s OPI (Max. Theoretical Bandwidth 4 GB/s).
• Memory: 8 GB 1866 MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM.
• Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515 with LPDDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory.
• Flash Storage: 256 GB or 512 GB NVMe/PCIe 3.0 x2, 8.0 GT/s.
• Display: LED-backlit widescreen glossy, Retina Display 12 inches 2304 × 1440 (16:10), 226 ppi, with millions of colors. Supported scaled resolutions: 1440 × 900, 1280 × 800, 1024 × 640.
• Video camera: iSight (480p).
• Earliest possible operating system: OS X 10.11.4 “El Capitan”. Latest possible operating system. macOS 10.12.1 “Sierra”.
• Bluetooth Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0.
• Peripheral connections: USB 3.1 generation 1 over USB Type-C, up to 5 Gbit/s (for power, converts to USB Type-A, and video out via separate adapter).
• Audio connections: Headphone audio jack (supports iPhone headset with remote and microphone).
• Video out: USB-C DisplayPort 1.2 alternate mode. Maximum resolution 3840 x 2160 at 60Hz AirPlay (using AppleTV).
• Power: 29 Watt USB 3.1 Type-C power adapter, 41.4 Wh battery.
• Average weight: 2.03 pounds.
• Dimensions: 11.04 inches wide × 7.74 inches deep × 0.14 inches to 0.52 inches high.
• Colors: Space Gray, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold.

Apple Model Numbers, Discontinuation, Price

Apple Model Number: A1534 (EMC 2991)

Apple Part Numbers:  

• MLHA2LL/A 1.1 GHz in silver
• MLH72LL/A -1.1 in space gray
• MLHE2LL/A – 1.1 in silver
• MMGL2LL/A – 1.1 in rose gold
• MLHC2LL/A – 1.2 in silver
• MLH82LL/A – 1.2 in space grey
• MLHF2LL/A – in gold
• MMGM2LL/A – in rose gold

Discontinuation: June 5, 2017

Price:

• Starting from $1299 – 1.1 GHz
• $1599 – 1.2 GHz
• $1549 – BTO version, 256 GB
• $1749 – BTO version, 512 GB

Features

• This MacBook 9,1 Retina model has a new keyboard and trackpad. Compared to previous models, the individual keys have a larger surface area. Apple replaced the scissor-like mechanism with a butterfly mechanism, making the keyboard thinner overall and, as Apple claims, individual keys more stable.
• The keyboard’s backlight no longer consists of a row of LEDs and a light guide panel, but instead uses a single LED for each key. The letters on the Macbook’s keyboard are set in San Francisco, whereas previous MacBooks used VAG Rounded.

Models

MacBook (12-inch, 1.3GHz Intel Core m7, Early 2016)

MacBook (12-inch, 1.2GHz Intel Core m5, Early 2016)

MacBook (12-inch, 1.1GHz Intel Core m3, Early 2016)

Miscellanea

• Apple states the processor specifications as 1.1 GHz, turbo boost 2.4 GHz, 1.2 GHz, turbo boost 2.6 GHz, and Configurable 1.3 GHz, turbo boost 2.9 Ghz. However there are no Intel Core M processors that correspond to these specific specifications that have been publicly announced.
• Although the price of MacBook 9,1 Retina is higher than that of MacBook Air, which is compensated by the Retina Display, thin body, and higher storage and memory, the processor and graphic performance is inferior to the MacBook Air.
• Many reviewers have criticized the keyboard for being less comfortable than that on the MacBook Air.
• The MacBook is designed with thinness in mind; the aluminum enclosure is 13.1 mm at its thickest point at the end of the computer next to the place where it pivots.
• The battery was improved for the MacBook 9,1 Retina, altogether it was redesigned to a custom shape to fill the available space in the smaller enclosure. It uses a 39.7 watt-hour lithium-polymer terraced battery cell which is said to provide “all day” battery life. It is said to last up to ten hours for Internet browsing and eleven hours of iTunes movie playback.
• The MacBook does not include any beryllium, BFRs, or PVCs in its construction. The display is made of arsenic-free glass and contains no mercury. It is made of recyclable materials such as aluminum and glass, meets Energy Star 6.1 standards, and is rated EPEAT Gold.
• Force Touch trackpad allowed for pressure sensitivity, and replicating a click with haptic feedback. The trackpad was later brought to the MacBook Pro line, and the Magic Trackpad. A similar technology was used in the Apple Watch and iPhone 6S.
• To achieve the thinness, all existing ports, except the headphone jack, had to be removed and a USB Type-C port was placed instead. The headphone jack (supports headphones with integrated microphone) is on the right side and is located right next to two openings that house the microphone for handsfree talk. The USB-C port allows charging, output and input of data, video and audio, while adapters can be used to offer backward compatibility. Thunderbolt devices cannot function, however, since there is no adapter available for that function.[citation needed] Shortly after the MacBook’s introduction, various companies began announcing cables and adapters for the USB Type-C port. Unlike other USB connectors, USB Type-C is reversible.
• Among the main criticisms of this MacBook are the lack of popular ports, particularly USB type-A ports, which limits data transfer and overall convenience without the use of an adapter, and the inclusion of the low-power but slower Intel Core M processor.

Links

• MacBook9,1 Quick Start
• MacBook Manuals: Memory Replacement Instructions, Hard Drive Replacement Instructions, Battery Replacement Instructions & more
• MacBook Firmware Updates
• Looking where to sell used Mac Retina? Can’t Help but Sell Here. Take a close look at the prices we offer – Sell old MacBook Retina online now.

Macbook 9,1 Retina Review [Video]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQISocmOTyg
Video published on April 22, 2016 by MobileTechReview.