It’s best to think of the 2016 MacBook as a MacBook S. Similar to the evolution from the iPhone 6 to the iPhone 6s, Apple didn’t revamp the design for its ultraslim 2-pound laptop.
Instead, the company focused mostly on internal upgrades for the 12-inch MacBook($1, 299 to start;$1, 599 as configured). These enhancements include a more powerful 6th-generation Core M processor, faster flash storage and an extra hour of battery life. This is a more capable sequel for sure. For this kind of money, though, I wanted more - namely, an extra USB Type-C port and other improvements.
The 12-inch MacBook remains a beautiful piece of hardware, made of sturdy aluminum and measuring just 0.5 inches thick. Apple added a rose-gold color option to the mix, which I tested, to go along with space gray, gold and silver. Yes, the rose-gold MacBook has a pink hue to it, but I didn’t mind being seen using this laptop on the bus or at Starbucks. After all, (at least some) guys wear power pink shirts, too.