MacBook

629 'MacBook' stories December 2010 - April 2013

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Light. Years ahead.

Check out our top stories on MacBook:

Originally released April 10, 2015 and last refreshed April 19, 2016, the all-new MacBook ($1,299 and up from the Apple Store) is the thinnest and lightest Mac laptop ever made. It’s also the first MacBook to be offered in four color options: classic silver, space gray, gold and rose gold.

Currently offered only with a 12″ screen, it represents the future of Apple laptops. Following a refresh in April 2016, it now includes a 2304×1440 (226ppi) Retina display, 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB of SSD storage, coupled with ultra-low-power Intel Core M processors. The base model includes a 1.1GHz dual-core Intel Core M chip with an Intel HD Graphics 515 GPU; and upgraded models offer to 1.2GHz dual-core Intel Core m5 or 1.3GHz dual-core Intel Core m7 processor with Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz.

With a redesigned chassis that’s only slightly wider than the keyboard, the new MacBook’s 0.14″–0.52″ thickness was achieved in part by dropping all external connectivity ports save for a 3.5mm headphone port and a new reversible USB-C port, which can be used for power, data connectivity, and video output. Most of the MacBook’s connectivity is handled wirelessly with 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4 support. It promises 9-10 hours of battery life depending on how the computer is being used.

A redesigned Force Touch trackpad now can sense multiple levels of pressure rather than just one, using four pressure sensors and a haptic feedback pad to replicate the clickiness of a traditional trackpad. Additionally, the keyboard has been completely redesigned to retain the expected clicks, precision, and travel of conventional keys, while cutting their depth and width to fit the chassis. An ultra-thin top lid has only enough depth for a 640×480 FaceTime camera, a compromise for the smaller size.

Just like the first-generation MacBook Air, the new MacBook is aimed at users whose computing needs don’t demand incredible horsepower, yet benefit from a slim, light chassis with a really nice screen. Though you’ll do better in raw dollar terms and power by buying a comparably priced 13″ Retina MacBook Pro, you’ll have nearly twice the weight to carry around (2.03 pounds versus 3.48 pounds) and a larger footprint to manage. The choice of which is best for your needs will be highly personal.

Current Lineup:

MacBook (12-inch, Early 2016)

Related Guides:

Kickstarter: ZenBoxx promises to help eliminate desk clutter with the MacBook ZenDock

Mike Beasley Apr 10 2013 - 9:41 am PT

If your desk looks anything like mine, seen above, then you probably know the joys of constantly connecting and disconnecting a handful of cables every time you need to move your MacBook away from your desk or put it back. In my case, I have to fiddle with these cables every few hours when I take my MacBook downstairs to work in the living room or bring it back upstairs to plug it into my monitor. I hate it.

The ZenDock, which hit Kickstarter today, promises to help eliminate most of this problem for me, and from the looks of it, the folks at ZenBoxx might just be on to something. The ZenDock comes in two varieties: Pro and Retina. As you might imagine, the names correspond to the MacBook model that the dock is designed to work with.

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iMessage/FaceTime has been down for about a half hour, Apple just acknowledged it (Update: Fixed)

Zac Hall Apr 9 2013 - 1:18 pm PT

Update: 8PM ET – Just 4 short hours after we first started hearing issues, iMessage and FaceTime are back

Update: 8:45PM ET – Apple’s status website also saying the issues are resolved

As many have reported on Twitter, iMessage and FaceTime have been down for the past half hour, but Apple just updated its Services Status page. Meanwhile, Apple is aptly offering the opportunity to complete a survey regarding its online Apple Support quality.

Staples to begin selling iPhone, iPad, and MacBooks too?

Jordan Kahn Mar 13 2013 - 10:33 am PT

After it began selling Apple accessories including Apple TV, Airports, and more through its online store last month, Staples now appears to be gearing up to possibly sell other Apple products including iPhone, iPad and Macs. While we already knew that the company was planning on bringing the accessories to its brick and mortar locations, today MacRumors posted the internal document above showing Staples is also training sales staff on the iPhone, iPad, and MacBooks.

The training materials have a completion date of March 26 or 27, and with Staples already confirming plans to bring Apple TV and other products to stores by early next month, it’s a possibility other iOS devices and MacBooks could be included in the roll out. We’ll keep you updated if we get official word from the company.
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Google’s new Chromebook Pixel Thinks Different about vertical touch surfaces, puts touch on the display

Jordan Kahn Feb 21 2013 - 11:57 am PT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=j-XTpdDDXiU

The rumors were true: Google just announced the Chromebook Pixel. It’s a 12.85-inch touchscreen Chromebook with a 2,560-by-1,700 display that packs in “the highest pixel density (239 pixels per inch) of any laptop screen on the market today.”

Let’s start with the screen. This Chromebook has the highest pixel density (239 pixels per inch) of any laptop screen on the market today. Packed with 4.3 million pixels, the display offers sharp text, vivid colors and extra-wide viewing angles. With a screen this rich and engaging, you want to reach out and touch it—so we added touch for a more immersive experience. Touch makes it simple and intuitive to do things like organize tabs, swipe through apps and edit photos with the tip of your finger.

Go to 9to5Google for all the details.

As for the chances of Apple ever making a touchscreen notebook, Steve Jobs made it very clear at the 2010 MacBook Air refresh event that Apple did “tons of user testing” and concluded “it doesn’t work. It’s ergonomically terrible.”

We’ve done tons of user testing on this and it turns out it doesn’t work. Touch surfaces don’t want to be vertical. It gives great demo. But after a short period of time you start to fatigue, and after an extended period of time your arm wants to fall off. It doesn’t work. It’s ergonomically terrible. Touch surfaces want to be horizontal. Hence, pads.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmlH59yKpqY&start=690]

Report: Apple to launch 11- and 13-inch Retina MacBook Air in Q3

Jordan Kahn Feb 19 2013 - 7:15 am PT

According to a translated report from Taiwanese publication Economic Daily (via Macotakara), Apple is apparently in the process of preparing suppliers for the launch of a Retina MacBook Air in Q3 2013. The report appears to claim that both 11- and 13-inch variants of the MacBook Air will launch with Retina displays in addition to an upgrade from Intel’s new Haswell platform. Apple supplier Quanta is expected to begin receiving shipments of the new components in the second quarter, according to Economic Daily.

Today’s report of course goes against recent claims from analysts predicting the next-gen MacBook Air would land in Q2 or Q3 without a Retina display. We heard last year that Apple was working on MacBook Airs with Retina displays, but sources indicated the power drawn from the Retina Displays combined with the thin and light form factor of the MacBook Air may pose challenges for Apple and its product manufacturers.
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New Model (Early 2013) Retina MacBook Pros use some upgraded internal parts

Seth Weintraub Feb 16 2013 - 5:31 am PT

(Click to enlarge)

It appears the recent spec update to the MacBook Pros wasn’t as minor as we had originally thought. According to a leaked Apple repair guide for the 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro, many internals including the SSD, I/O Board, Logic Board and even the bottom case have been updated to new parts. While it isn’t clear yet how the updated parts were changed (besides the obvious CPU speed), it reminded us of a Foxconn leak we got in October 2012:

1. The rmbp in production line D2 is identified as defected products as in terms of thermal heating and screen ghosting. P/S: Apple is not going to re-launch the 15” rmbp. Just that Apple will improve on the production technique in D2 line. Apple will launch the 13” rmbp. Ghosting and thermal issues will be fixed but internals and design will be similar to 15” rmbp.

Interestingly, the report also said that Retina MacBook Pro production would move, at least partially, to Mexico.

We also have the 2013 repair manual for the 13-inch MacBook Pro below that only shows 2013 updates to logic board (likely just for CPU updates) and how to tell which model of Retina MacBook Pro you have for both 13- and 15-inch varieties.
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Deal Alert: MacConnection drops 13″ Retina MacBook Pro to $1349 ($150 off)

9to5 Staff Feb 15 2013 - 5:06 pm PT

From 9to5Toys.com and 9to5Mac Product Pages:

MacConnection is having a flash sale on the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display knocking $150 off the just lowered price. $1349 is the lowest price we’ve ever seen on what many consider to be Apple’s best portable computer. Apple charges less for Refurbished models.

For other configurations, see our MacBook Pro , MacBook Air and other product pages.

13-inch Retina MacBook Pro for $1515, 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro $1999 at Amazon (9to5mac.com)

Google to open retail stores to compete with Apple Stores

9to5 Staff Feb 15 2013 - 1:16 pm PT

Google is launching retail stores by the end of the year to sell its own products, we’re reporting over at 9to5Google. Will Google try to squeeze into the local Mall between the new Microsoft store and the existing Apple store? Will it be able to supplant some of Apple’s MacBook sales with its $249 Chromebooks? iPhones with Nexuses? Find out more.
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Apple Store also drops prices of refurbished Retina MacBook Pros (now start at $1269) and MacBook Airs

Jordan Kahn Feb 13 2013 - 7:41 am PT

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From 9to5Toys.com:

Following price drops and minor processor upgrades for Apple Retina MacBook Pros this morning, Apple also further discounted its refurbished MacBook Pros. Apple took 15 percent off the MacBook Pros in January, and it dropped the 256GB 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro even more to $1,359 today. Other refurbished Retina MacBooks have been discounted as well. The 512GB 2.9GHz Retina MacBook Pro now sells for $1,779 refurbished. Apple also discounted its 256GB 13-inch MacBook Air to $1,099, and it received a price drop this morning to $1,399 new.

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Apple releases MacBook Pro firmware update 1.7 to address rare battery issue

Jordan Kahn Feb 12 2013 - 1:24 pm PT

After releasing an SMC firmware update for most MacBook models last month to address the same battery issue, Apple today released MacBook Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.7 for mid-2010 and early 2011 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pros. The update, available through Apple’s website, addresses a rare battery issue:

About MacBook Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.7

This update addresses a rare issue on some Apple notebooks where a battery that has accumulated more than 1000 charge cycles may unexpectedly shut down or stop functioning.

Deal Alert: MacConnection drops Retina MacBook Pro 13″ to $1499 ($200 off)

9to5 Staff Feb 11 2013 - 11:37 am PT

From 9to5Toys.com and 9to5Mac Product Pages:

MacConnection is having a flash sale on the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display knocking $200 off the price. $1499 is the lowest price we’ve ever seen on what many consider to be Apple’s best portable computer. Apple charges $60 less for Refurbished models.

For other configurations, see our MacBook Pro , MacBook Air and other product pages.

13-inch Retina MacBook Pro for $1515, 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro $1999 at Amazon (9to5mac.com)

MacMall Special: Lowest prices on MacBook Airs plus Free Parallels & Free FedEx Overnight until Fri 9:15PM ET

9to5 Staff Feb 5 2013 - 11:32 am PT

From 9to5Toys.com and 9to5Mac Product Pages comes a special deal from MacMall for our readers who are looking for MacBook Airs at the lowest prices. Across the board, Macmall has the lowest prices when coupled with additional 3% off 9to5Mac promo code NTFMMWB38592

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MacMall goes beyond lowest prices: Until Friday at 9:15PM ET, readers will get free overnight shipping and a free copy of Parallels Desktop with every order. MacMall also offers financing and/or no payments for 6 months and accepts payments with Paypal or Amazon as well as major credit cards. This week’s MacMall specials include half off Quickbooks 2013 for Mac, iPad SmartCovers starting at $26.99 and other Blowout deals on peripherals.

MacMall has additional MacBook Air 8GB BTO configurations that knock an additional 3% off the already lowest prices we could find:
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13-inch Retina MacBook Pro for $1515, 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro $1980 at Amazon, Best Buy

9to5 Staff Feb 1 2013 - 9:28 am PT

From 9to5Toys.com:

Amazon dropped the price of the Retina MacBook Pro to $1999 with free shipping. That’s tied for the lowest price we’ve ever seen on this product. Apple sells the refurb for $100 less (with Tax in more locations which negates the savings).

Amazon also has the 13-inch MacBook Pro for $1515.59. The sale compares with $1469 for a refurb with the same Tax equalizer.

The sale is in response to Best Buy knocking $200 off MacBook Pros (and $20 more off from in-store pickup). The effective price of a 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro is $1980.

If you are holding out for a MacBook Air, check back with us tomorrow, we’ll have the lowest prices you can find on MacBook Airs across the board.
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Kanex adds 3 USB ports and Gigabit Ethernet to your MacBook with pocket-sized DualRole

Jordan Kahn Jan 31 2013 - 12:41 pm PT

We have played with and enjoyed a few products from Kanex in the past, and today the company showed off its latest USB 3.0 charging solution at Macworld with the DualRole. The product is a super lightweight and very portable bus-powered USB3 hub that packs three extra USB 3 ports and a Gigabit Ethernet adapter. That means you’ll be able to add a Gigabit Ethernet adapter to your Retina MacBook Pro or MacBook Air and have an extra three USB ports on hand.

9to5Mac went hands-on with the DualRole today during Macworld, and we definitely want one for ourselves. Anyone who travels knows how nice it is to connect via Ethernet when hotel Wi-Fi gets sketchy, and it’s certainly nice to be able to carry around an additional three USB 3.0 ports in your pocket at the same time. DualRole also provided an optional 5V power adapter to offer a little extra power to the USB ports, and the built-in cable tucks away nicely when not in use. DualRole is selling for $69 through the Kanex website, but it should also land next to the company’s lineup of other solid products on Amazon shortly.

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Apple releases MacBook SMC firmware updates fixing rare battery issue

Jordan Kahn Jan 30 2013 - 2:43 pm PT

Apple released updates today for MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air, and they are for a rare issue that causes batteries with more than 1000-charge cycles to shut down or stop working. The updates are available through Software Update in the Mac App Store now. Links to each update is on Apple’s website below:

This update addresses a rare issue on some Apple notebooks where a battery that has accumulated more than 1000 charge cycles may unexpectedly shut down or stop functioning.

MacBook SMC Firmware Update 1.5
MacBook Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.6
MacBook Air SMC Update v1.8

Peak Mac — Will Apple ever sell 5M Macs in a quarter again?

Seth Weintraub Jan 29 2013 - 10:42 am PT

The bad news

Dan Frommer wrote a post that I was going to write but never finished. His is better anyway. The not-recommended TL;DR is: Even though CEO Tim Cook said there were plenty of reasons (5) for the decline of Mac growth, including iMac constraints, Mac sales for the year are heading toward “flat.” From our liveblog, you can hear Cook’s comments specifically:

On declining Mac numbers: Cook: “If you look at the previous year, our Mac sales were about 5.2M. The difference is 1.1… iMac were down by 700k units Y-O-Y…. There were limited weeks of ramping on these products (iMacs) during the quarter.” We left the quarter with significant constraints on iMacs. Our sales would have been significantly higher… Our channel inventory was down by over 100K units at the beginning of the quarter.

–Cook says market for PCs is weak… “we sold 23 million iPads, we obviously could have sold more than this because we could not build enough iPad minis to come into a demand balance… Im sure there was some cannibalization of Macs there.” If you look at our portables alone we were inline with IDC’s projections of market growth.

While not making enough iMacs for Christmas shopping was a significant and uncharacteristic operational misstep, it doesn’t account for the significant drop in Mac sales overall year-over-year and even sequentially. iMacs and desktops in general have been a declining component of the Mac market as MacBooks take over the space, so even a significant drop in iMac sales wouldn’t account for a 20-percent drop year-over-year and sequentially. Apple also released new Mac Minis and 13-inch Retina MacBook Pros in the quarter, and the rest of the Mac lineup (including the Mac Pro) was updated just a few months before the quarter began.

Cook rationalized why Macs weren’t even flat and are “inline with IDC’s projections,” even though Macs have outgrown the market for something like 20 consecutive quarters previously.

Without a major hardware change or drastic price cuts, it is hard to imagine Apple having another 5 million Mac quarter. It would seem that, like iPods a few years ago, Macs have peaked. Apple’s iPods were cannibalized by iPhones.

The good news is that Apple is cannibalizing its own Mac growth (as well as overall PC growth) with its own high-margin iPads—and lots of them. In fact, Macs now represent significantly less than 15 percent of the total of combined numbers (below and corresponding revenues).

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Here’s a Mac Pro concept gallery while we patiently wait for Apple to update the real ones

Jordan Kahn Jan 22 2013 - 7:26 am PT

This is what happens when designers have to look down at the same box they had almost a decade ago.

We showed you a detailed modular Mac Pro design concept in September posted by designer Peter Zigich. Today, Zigich is back with another future Mac Pro concept that imagined Apple ditching Intel for a custom Apple-designed ARM CPU, “A10”. We’re not sure Apple is ready to take the jump to ARM in the first major refresh of its Mac Pro line since 2010, but the prospect of a smaller, possibly Mac mini-like design for a new Mac Pro is definitely intriguing. The PCI slots are probably not necessary thanks to Thunderbolt, and Zigich doesn’t rule Intel out entirely. While these specs are maybe not completely realistic for an upcoming Mac Pro refresh, it certainly gets us thinking about what Apple might have planned for its aging Mac Pro design. More images available on Zigich’s website here.

MacBook Air, MacBook Pro refreshes expected June 2013 with same designs, new processors (9to5mac.com)
Apple slashes price on Thunderbolt cable, releases additional shorter model (9to5mac.com)
Apple reportedly moving Mac mini production to US with Foxconn (9to5mac.com)

TYLT’s Energi backpack charges up to three iOS devices at once, we go hands-on (Video)

Jordan Kahn Jan 11 2013 - 1:28 pm PT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=v9AxkNFqm6I

We went hands-on with the new ENERGI Backpack from Tylt, a company with products we’ve enjoyed in the past, in the video above. There are many power bags on the market that include built-in batteries to recharge your mobile devices while on the go, but we were quite impressed with these new backpacks from Tylt. They are hitting the market for between $150 and $200 at the end of March. They include a 10,400-mAh-lithium ion battery with the ability to charge up to three devices at once and dedicated pockets for your iPad, iPhone, iPod, and MacBook.

The Apple Store begins offering Retina 15″ MacBook Pro refurbs starting at $1869

Seth Weintraub Jan 4 2013 - 6:52 pm PT

From 9to5Toys.com:

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This evening, Apple began offering refurbished Retina MacBook Pros at the online Apple Store at significant 15% discounts, yielding savings of over $500 on high end models (below). 15-inch Retina MacBooks normally retail at $2200 but we’ve seen them as low as $2,000 (which is also the EDU discount price).

Apple refurbished products are packaged and look like new and come with the same one year of AppleCare. See all of the best prices on Apple Products on our Apple product pages.

Thanks Jason!
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Review: HyperJuice 2 External MacBook and iPad Battery MBP2-100

Seth Weintraub Nov 23 2012 - 1:31 pm PT

[slideshow]

Talk about good timing. A few days before Sandy hit our town, Hyper sent me its new MacBook + iOS charging external battery device, the Hyperjuice MBP2-100.

Hyper has made external MacBook/Air/Pro batteries for years, and if you’ve ever been to an Apple (or any big technology) keynote event, many of the live bloggers have their rigs hooked up to them. HyperJuice’s latest line, dubbed the “MBP2 series”, expands on the capabilities of the big power batteries…

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Apple’s Black Friday deals go live in US/Canada as third-party retailers offer even better discounts on Macs, iPads, iPods and accessories

Jordan Kahn Nov 23 2012 - 12:23 am PT

Apple’s Black Friday sales started going live online earlier today in a number of Apple Stores around the world, including: Australia, New Zealand, Germany, United Kingdom, and more. Now, Apple’s deals for the United States and Canada are live with the expected $100 in savings on MacBooks and smaller savings for iPads, iPods, and select accessories.

While Apple’s deals are in line with what we expected from previous years, most of these products can be found even cheaper through third-party retailers today. We have put together a list of all the Black Friday prices on the U.S. Apple Store below. Next to each item, you’ll also find the lowest price that we could find from third parties—most of which provided an even better deal than Apple:

-iPad with Retina display | From $458 (Save $41)
Best Price: BestBuy from $439
-iPad 2 | From $368 (Save $31)
Best Price: BestBuy from $339
Alternative Best Price option: eBay Daily Deals from $339 (16GB WiFi)
-iPod touch | From $268 (Save $31)
Best Price: Best Buy from $294+$50 gift card
-iPod touch 4th generation | From $178 (Save $21 )
Best Price: Best Buy from $194 +$50 gift card
-iPod nano | From $138 (Save $11)
Best Price: Best Buy from $144 + $20 gift card

-MacBook Pro with Retina Display | From $1,598 (Save $101)
Best Price: Amazon from $1,593
-MacBook Pro | From $1,098 (Save $101)
Best Price: Amazon from $1,024
-MacBook Air | From $898 (Save $101)
Best Price: Amazon from $893

Check our Apple Product pages for the lowest prices across the board as well as 9to5Toys.com for the latest updates. More Apple comparisons coming, below:
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Apple opens its first eBay store for a trial with select refurbished products

Jordan Kahn Nov 19 2012 - 3:14 pm PT

Seth Weintraub and Danny DeSilva contributed to this post.

Over the last few weeks, we’ve been posting links to a mysterious Apple refurbished store that appeared on eBay about a month ago and has been hiding in plain sight ever since. Labeled only “Refurbished Outlet” with hidden corporate information and nothing in the way of contact information or a traceable backend, the store gets impressive 99.7-percent positive reviews from buyers. But, there is no information on where devices are coming from.

We thought Apple might be testing the waters to sell refurbished products directly to customers through eBay, and it seems that’s exactly what is happening. We discovered that this is in fact an Apple-run Store within eBay. It is in trial, and it could open the door to much bigger things. No one would go on the record at eBay, however.

Aside from the image fonts above, which are an uncharacteristic wreck, there are many telltale signs of Apple’s direct involvement. Just like Apple’s own refurbished products, the “refurbished outlet” products all have the following:

Full one-year warranty
Returned to like-new condition
iPads/iPods include a new battery
Received complete burn-in testing
Original OS re-installed
Repackaged with manual and cable
Final quality inspection by Apple

The prices on the products are also identical to the Apple Store’s refurbished prices across the board (below)
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OWC is announcing a sub $100 16GB RAM upgrade. We go even further…

Jordan Kahn Nov 16 2012 - 8:30 am PT

OWC today announced 16GB RAM upgrades for Mac mini, MacBook Pro, and iMacs all for just under $100, around a 66 percent savings compared to Apple’s own factory upgrade options. Full details on the new OWC upgrades are below, but we recently found a 16GB RAM upgrade for $60 on Amazon that will save you almost an extra $40 on top of OWC’s prices.

OWC is also offering Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac for $39 with the purchase of 16B Memory Upgrade Kits:

OWC Certified 16GB Memory Upgrade Kits:

Upgrades for all Mac mini models from $15.99
16GB Kit (8GB x 2) from $99.00 for maximum memory

Upgrades for all MacBook & MacBook Pro (non-Retina) models from $29.99
16GB Kit (8GB x 2) from $99.00 for maximum memory

Upgrades for all iMac models from $11.99
16GB Kit (4GB x 4) for 2009 models for $97.99 for maximum memory
16GB Kit (8GB x 2) for 2010(i5/i7) & 2011 models for $99.00 (can add to existing)
32GB Kit (8GB x 4) for 2010(i5/i7) & 2011 models for $197.99 (double the factory
offered maximum)

Upgrades Qualify for Special Parallels Offer
With the purchase of OWC 16B Memory Upgrade Kits, customers qualify to purchase
Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac for only $39.00…a savings of $40.00 off retail.

Hands-on with Twelve South’s new HiRise adjustable MacBook stand

Jordan Kahn Nov 1 2012 - 12:52 pm PT

Twelve South already has its HiRise stand for iMac that we recently went hands-on with, but that product is aimed at increasing the height of your iMac or Thunderbolt display to a comfortable viewing level. Twelve South is launching HiRise for MacBook today—aimed at users who pair their MacBook with a display and/or keyboard and mouse at home. The stand adjusts from 3.7 inches to 6 inches, allowing you to easily align your MacBook screen with a paired iMac or Thunderbolt display (as pictured above) for a dual monitor setup. We’ve been playing with the new HiRise for MacBook over the past couple days and have nothing but great first impressions.

You can adjust the $70 stand’s height easily by loosening a screw at the back and pushing down on the spring-loaded arms. The arms cushion your MacBook with a layer of soft silicone that also provides traction and keeps your Mac from slipping off. We didn’t have any problems with the MacBook sliding, even when adjusting and moving the stand around, but Twelve South does not recommend typing on the device’s keyboard when mounted on the stand.

The stand has thin Teflon rails on the bottom, allowing you to slide it or adjust left to right without scratching your desk, but it’s quite a solid chunk of brushed metal at 1.75 pounds. It also resembles an iMac stand, which makes it fit in nicely next to an iMac or Thunderbolt display. If aligned just right, the stand seems to disappear and leave your MacBook floating next to the display.

If you’ve been looking for a product like this, you won’t be disappointed dropping $69 for the HiRise.

You can order it on Amazon or through Twelve South’s website today.