While Apple's new Apple Watch was the center of most tech reporting, there were some early reports floating around about Apple releasing a new Macbook. While most people didn't expect much to come out of this device announcement, Apple left a strong impression with the latest variation on the Macbook.
This new Macbook weighs less than two pounds and is extremely thin; only 13.1 mm at the thickest point. The computer was made with an all-metal enclosure and the screen is a 12-inch retina display with 2304 x 1440 resolution. It's also the thinnest display that Apple has ever made.
The Macbook uses a new keyboard model in order to minimize size. According to Apple VP Phil Schiller, the laptop size is often determined by the size of the keyboard. That's why he was happy to incorporate a full-sized keyboard into the new Macbook.The Macbook keyboard now relies on a new "butterfly mechanism" to minimize button size and maximize accuracy. Each key on the keyboard also has its own independent LED, which will keep the keyboard lit for longer than before.
Apple also incorporated a new device that it calls the "Force Touch trackpad." Not only does the device eliminate the need for a right click function, but users can now program the trackpad to perform certain actions in response to certain motions on the track pad. The device relies on a "taptic engine," which increases sensitivity across the trackpad.
Apple's design team members also did the best they could to minimize the space that the circuit board needs to power the computer. The circuit board is now 67 percent smaller than that of the last Macbook. The casing also uses unibody architecture and new cooling vents to minimize the space spent on essentials. The remaining internal space is spent on battery. The Macbook's battery will now last up to 10 hours. The device is also environmentally friendly.
On a more surprising note, the new Macbook now only has one port for charging and for devices; the port uses USB-C technology to transfer both energy and information between devices. This is a really significant shift, since this will be the first official laptop powered by a USB port.
Apple plans to release the new Macbook on April 10 for $1299.
