Ten years ago today, Apple introduced a groundbreaking MacBook that ended in a significant failure.

      Ten years ago today, Apple introduced the 12-inch MacBook, asserting that it had "reinvented the notebook" for the better. The laptop quickly created a divide among users, sparking intense discussions between its supporters and critics from the outset. While it certainly had its flaws, if you look more closely, you might discover a device that profoundly influenced the computing world — not only Apple but the entire industry.

      The 12-inch MacBook is often regarded as a failure and a symbol of the excesses of Jony Ive's era at Apple, where the emphasis on thinness and lightness overshadowed all else. Its discontinuation after just four years is frequently cited as evidence of this viewpoint.

      Nonetheless, I perceive it differently: as a forerunner of many top-tier features that Apple fans enjoy in modern products. Yes, it was significantly underpowered, overpriced, and far from flawless. However, it was also remarkably ahead of its time and exceptional in several aspects. In fact, many of the features present in today's best MacBooks might not exist without the 12-inch MacBook.

      Innovative Features

      When the 12-inch MacBook debuted, it drew attention for many unfavorable reasons. Firstly, it was pricey, with a $1,299 price tag comparable to that of the MacBook Pro, which made it hard to accept. Furthermore, users discovered they were only receiving an Intel Core M chip — designed for mobile devices rather than high-performance laptops — which added to the disappointment.

      In addition to that, the 12-inch MacBook introduced the now-infamous butterfly keyboard, known for being uncomfortable and susceptible to failure. Apple spent years attempting to improve this keyboard before eventually abandoning it. The introduction of the gold color — the first time it appeared in a MacBook — also came across as overly pretentious.

      On the flip side, this laptop incorporated some remarkable features that were unavailable elsewhere. It was extraordinarily thin and lightweight, drawing parallels to the original MacBook Air's unveiling in 2008, which stunned audiences. Ironically, the 12-inch MacBook risked overshadowing the MacBook Air, being much more sleek and portable.

      The 12-inch MacBook also introduced the large Force Touch trackpad, an innovative feature that remains favored today and has inspired many imitators across the industry. While it wasn't the first Mac to have a Retina display, it did feature this technology before the MacBook Air, proving that even compact notebooks could come equipped with excellent screens.

      Moreover, Apple included an innovative battery design that allowed for all-day battery life despite the ultra-slim chassis, and it even managed to function without an internal fan, providing silent operation that wouldn't be replicated until the arrival of the Apple silicon MacBook Air in 2020.

      Also notable was the single USB-C port, which the 12-inch MacBook pioneered in Apple's laptop lineup. At the time, this shift was ridiculed for leading to the prevalent "dongle" era, but it also played a key role in encouraging the industry to adopt USB-C more widely. Today, it's ubiquitous. This evolution is reminiscent of when the iMac G3 eliminated the floppy drive — a technology that is certainly no longer missed.

      Time for a Reevaluation

      It's easy to focus on the 12-inch MacBook's less favorable aspects. I wasn't a fan when it was released, and I know I’m not the only one.

      However, with several years of perspective and the awareness of its influence, I believe it's time to reassess the 12-inch MacBook. While it had numerous shortcomings, it also paved the way for many top-tier features that can be found in today's Apple MacBook lineup.

      I view the 12-inch MacBook as akin to the similarly infamous Apple Newton — a good idea introduced too early. It was ahead of its time and failed to fulfill its promises, though many of its features were quite innovative. Indeed, the concepts it represented have propelled Apple’s devices forward, and many of these have been broadly embraced in the market.

      Although the 12-inch MacBook may have been a failure, Apple revisited the notion of a fanless, lightweight laptop powered by an efficient chip a few years later with the 2020 Apple silicon MacBook Air. Many of the 12-inch MacBook's best ideas continue to thrive today, even if the device itself is now a part of history. And that holds value.