Apple MacBook 12 Alternatives – Worthy contenders to the ultraportable

Samuel J Tan Laptops, Personal Technology, Tablets, Technology 1

Five of the best powerful, thin, lightweight and compact 12-inch laptops go against the MacBook 12. Watch out Apple, here comes the muscles and brains.

Our selection criteria are simple, for a laptop, ultrabook or 2-in-1s that can stand up against the MacBook 12:

it has to have a 12-inch display
it has to be lightweight
it has to be thin
it has to exude quality and charm
it has to have sufficient storage and memory

Table of Contents

Top 5 Best MacBook 12 Alternatives

While there are plenty of 13-inch laptops and ultrabooks out there, 12-inch tablet and 2-in-1s are that bit hard to come by. Still we managed to find five plus 2 bonuses from new comer Huawei and a gaming ultrabook from Razer called the Blade Stealth packing plenty of punch and are certainly strong alternatives to the MacBook 12 (now in its second generation).

Let’s start by looking at the specifications on MacBook 12. Apple’s MacBook now in its second generation (2016) received some minor updates. Here are five of the key specifications that we have pulled out for our comparison.

Display: Retina Display 12-inch LED backlit display with IPS technology 2304 x 1440 resolution at 226 ppi, 16:10 aspect ratio

Processor:

1.1GHz dual-core Intel Core m3 processor (Turbo Boost up to 2.2GHz) with 4MB L3 cache
1.2GHz dual-core Intel Core m5 processor (Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz) with 4MB L3 cache
1.3GHz dual-core Intel Core m7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz) with 4MB L3 cache (configurable option)

Memory & Storage: 8GB of 1866MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory with 256GB / 512GB PCIe-based onboard flash storage

Dimensions & Weight: 0.35 – 1.31 cm (H) x 28.05 cm (W) x 19.65 cm (D), 0.92kg

Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515

Battery & Power: Up to 10 hours wireless web, up to 11 hours iTunes film playback, up to 30 days standby time, 41.4 watt hour Li-Polymer battery

Now, let’s take a look at what the alternatives bring to the table.

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 12.3-inch Tablet

Easily the strongest contender to the MacBook or any laptop in the 12-inch space is Microsoft’s Surface Pro 4. The 12.3-inch tablet is available with a variety of configurations from Intel Core m3 to Intel Core i7. The Surface Pro 4 has a slightly bigger and higher resolution display with multi-touch. It also has options for faster processors as well as higher memory configurations up to 16GB. Even with all that, it is still a nice little package at 8.45mm thin and weighing less at up to 786 grams. The only caveat here is you need to buy the optional keyboard. Even that is a slim keyboard and does not add much weight to the unit. The other appeal the tablet has over a MacBook is the main rear facing camera. MacBook is after all still a laptop with no touch screen, tablet profile and camera but with Surface Pro 4, you have the option of a tablet or laptop (with optional keyboard).

Display: : 12.3-inch PixelSense display, Resolution: 2736 x 1824 (267 PPI), Aspect Ratio: 3:2, Touch: 10 point multi-touch

Processor: 6th Gen Intel Core m3, i5, or i7 – MORE PROCESSOR OPTIONS

Memory & Storage: 4GB, 8GB or 16GB RAM and 128GB or 256GB SSD Storage – MORE MEMORY OPTIONS

Dimensions & Weight: 11.50 x 7.93 x .33 in (292.10 x 201.42 x 8.45 mm), i5/i7: 1.73lbs (786grams), m3 1.69lbs (766grams) – LIGHTER*

Graphics: m3 Intel HD graphics 515 or i5 Intel HD graphics 520 or i7 Intel Iris graphics

Battery & Power: 9-12 hours of video playback depending on configuration – BETTER

Cameras: 5.0MP front facing HD camera, 8.0MP rear facing autofocus camera with 1080p HD video recording

While Surface Pen, Microsoft’s stylus is included, an optional keyboard is required to turn the 12.3-inch tablet into a 2-in-1 device to go against the MacBook. Option keyboard adds weight.

HP Spectre X2 12-003na 2-in-1 12-inch Laptop

The premium 2-in-1 tablet with stylus and keyboard included is another strong contender. While the screen is only Full HD, it is powered by the 6th generation Intel Core M7-6Y75, an efficient yet powerful processor. This is the same class of processor used in the MacBook except that for the MacBook, the Core M7 is only available as an upgrade. It has an innovative U shaped stainless steel kickstand that rotates to 150° for various angles. The super think body is made from a single piece aluminium and like the Surface Pro 4, it has rear camera with Intel RealSeanse 3D and two USB-C ports. The battery last just as long as the MacBook and while Surface Pro 4’s keyboard is optional, HP Spectre X2’s backlit keyboard is included. In terms of size, it is slightly bigger and heavier than the MacBook.

Display: 12-inch Full HD IPS (1920 x 1280), 10-finger multi-touch support – LOWER RESOLUTION

Processor: Intel Core M7-6Y75 1.20 GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 3.10 GHz – FASTER PROCESSOR

Memory & Storage: 8GB DDR3L 1600MHz memory and 256GB SSD storage with 1 multi-format SD media card reader

Dimensions & Weight: 303 x 209 x 8 mm (tablet), 303 x 209 x 13.1 mm (tablet + base). 0.84 kg (tablet only), 1.23 kg (tablet + keyboard cover)

Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515 with shared graphics memory

Battery & Power: 3-cell 42Wh lithium-ion polymer (up to 10 hours)

Camera: 5MP TrueVision Full HD front webcam; Intel RealSense 3D Long Range (R200) rear camera

Samsung Galaxy TabPro S Tablet

The Samsung Galaxy TabPro S uses the same 6th generation Intel Core m processor as the MacBook. It is also a tablet first with a stylish body coming in at a mere 1.5 pounds and a slight 0.25 inches thin. The Full HD+ display uses Super AMOLED technology that takes viewing to an elevated level with strikingly clear videos and pixel-perfect images. Samsung Galaxy TabPro S includes a detachable full size keyboard with integrated precision touchpad. The memory and storage however is only half of that found on an entry level MacBook.

Display: 12-inch Full HD+ (2160 x 1440) sAMOLED touchscreen, 10-finger multi-touch support – SLIGHTLY LOWER RESOLUTION

Processor: Intel Core m3-6Y30 900 MHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.20 GHz – SAME PROCESSOR

Memory & Storage: 4GB DDR3L 1600 MHz with 128GB SSD – SMALLER MEMORY & STORAGE

Dimensions & Weight: 11.43 x 7.83 x 0.25 in (290.3 x 198.8 x 6.3 mm) tablet only. Tablet: 1.52 lbs (0.69 kg). Tablet + cover: 2.40 lbs (1.08 kg)

Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515

Battery & Power: Reach full charge in just two-and-a-half hours for up to 10.5 hours of use on a full charge with 5200 mAh (up to 10.5 hours) – BETTER

Camera: 5MP front, 5MP rear

Toshiba Satellite Radius 12 P25W 2-in-1 Laptop

This and the Dell XPS 12 are the only devices with Ultra High Definition 4K touchscreens. The resolution on the MacBook while high, does not even come close. The Toshiba as a 2-in-1 PC has a 360-degree hinge that flips and folds around converting the laptop into a slate. The real let down her is the battery life, it manages only up to 6.5 hours per full charge, lacking behind the MacBook. This is likely to be down to the use of Intel Core i7 and the 4K display. The laptop weighs some 300grams more at 1.30kg and has a bigger footprint but features premium DTS Sound and brushed metal finish.

Display: 12.5-inch 4K UHD LED touchscreen (3840 x 2160), 10-finger multi-touch support – HIGHER RESOLUTION

Processor: Intel Core i7-6500U 2.50 GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 3.10 GHz – FASTER PROCESSOR

Memory & Storage: 8GB LPDDR3 1600MHz and 256GB SSD with SD card reader

Dimensions & Weight: 11.80 x 8.20 x 0.61 in (299.72 x 208.28 x 15.49 mm), 1.30kg

Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 with shared graphics memory

Battery & Power: 3-cell lithium-ion (up to 6.5 hours)

Camera: integrated webcam

Dell XPS 12 9250 2-in-1 Laptop

This and the Toshiba are the only two devices with Ultra High Definition 4K touchscreens. The laptop is detachable turning it into a tablet with the magnetic keyboard dock removed, and a laptop with it attached. The laptop with its keyboard dock weighs only 1.27kg. The large 12.5-inch display is not only UHD but supports the optional Dell Active Pen stylus for taking notes and sketches, still the overall foot print is smaller than a sheet of A4. Under the hood, you will find the same class processor that powers the MacBook, The exact same 5 processor is featured on this model. As with all Dell laptops, you can configure this on their website. While you are there, there is an optional XPS Slim 12 Keyboard designed for travel with adjustable viewing angles up to 150 degrees and is only 1.3mm thin.

Display: 12.5-inch 4K UHD LED touchscreen with Corning Gorilla Glass NBT (3840 x 2160), 10-finger multi-touch support – HIGHER RESOLUTION

Processor: 6th Generation Intel Core M3, M5 or M7. Mid-range model use Intel Core m5-6Y54 1.10 GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.70 GHz – SAME CLASS CPU

Memory & Storage: 4GB or 8GB memory with 128GB, 256GB or 512GB SSD storage

Dimensions & Weight: 11.46 x 7.80 x 0.63-0.99 in (291.08 x 198.12 x 16.00-25.14 mm). Tablet: 1.56 lbs (0.70 kg), Tablet and keyboard dock: 2.76 lbs (1.25 kg)

Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515 with shared graphics memory

Battery & Power: 30WHr up to 10 hours

Camera: 5MP front-facing camera, 8MP rear-facing camera

BONUS:

Huawei Matebook 2-in-1 Tablet

Uses the same 6th generation processor found on the MacBook, even sound similarly to the MacBook, the Matebook is a 12-inch tablet first device with stylish, ultra thin and premium finish. Made from a single sheet of metal with every corner, edge and port precision crafted and polished, there is no denying that it is taking a left off a certain high end laptop. It also comes with a new finger print scanner, embedded on the side edge of the tablet. Weighing just 639.56 grams and measuring no more than 6.9mm (the sort of thinness you find on a smartphone), it is impossibly light with an impossibly thin metal body. If fact, you could pitch this with the iPad Pro, except this has a full working OS. Still, it manages a respectable 9 hours battery life.