New 12-inch MacBook available for online ordering alongside Apple Watch tonight, in stores tomorrow
The new MacBook, like the Apple Watch, may be in short supply in stores.
- Author of the award-winning, NY Times-reviewed nonfiction book The Tetris Effect; Longtime consumer technology expert for CBS Mornings
Apple's new 12-inch MacBook is a highly successful study in enforced minimalism, with only one port in a slim, 2-pound body. It's not for everyone, but it may be the perfect coffee shop companion, thanks to its small size, decent battery life and excellent redesigned keyboard.
But like many new Apple products, it may be hard to get your hands on right away. The system is officially being made available to buy at 12 a.m. PT on Friday, April 10. That's when the product page on Apple's website will presumably change its "coming soon" button to a "buy now" button.
When that switch flips, the order page should show an estimated shipping date, and we've heard nothing from Apple to indicate that systems should not be available immediately, although, like the iPad and iPhone, there may be a rush on the gold model.
Anyone planning to walk into an Apple retail store on Friday or over the weekend is taking a chance the laptop won't be in stock, at least in their prefered color or configuration. A recent memo obtained by Business Insider purports to be from Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts, and it covers not only the Apple Watch, which potential buyers are already being encouraged to order or reserve online, but also the new MacBook.
It reads, in part: "The days of waiting in line and crossing fingers for a product are over for our customers. The Apple Store app and our online store make it much easier to purchase Apple Watch and the new MacBook. Customers will know exactly when and where their product arrives."
If you're still on the fence about buying a new MacBook, be sure to read our full review , which includes detailed photos, hands-on video and benchmark test results.