The MacBook "Core m5" 1.2 12-Inch (Early 2016) features a 14-nm 1.2 GHz Intel "Core m5" Skylake processor (M5-6Y54) with two independent processor "cores" on a single chip, a 4 MB level 3 cache, an "integrated" Intel HD Graphics 515 graphics processor that shares system memory, 8 GB of onboard 1866 MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM (that cannot be upgraded), and 512 GB of onboard PCIe 3.0-based flash storage (that also cannot be upgraded).

This all is housed in a wafer thin (0.14-0.52 inch), 2.03 pound, aluminum case offered in Silver, a darker "Space Gray," Gold, and a pink-tinted "Rose Gold" color options. It also packs a lowly 480p FaceTime webcam, a backlit full-size keyboard with a thin "butterfly mechanism" keyboard design, a clever haptic-capable "Force Touch" trackpad, and a beautiful 12" TFT LED-backlit active-matrix "Retina" display (2304x1440 native resolution at 226 ppi). It delivers 10-11 hours of battery life depending on use.

Compared to its predecessor, it is similar, but has a more advanced processor and graphics processor, faster RAM, faster storage, a higher capacity battery, and a new "Rose Gold" finish option.

Processors:

1 (2 Cores)

Architecture:

64-Bit

Geekbench 2 (32):

6652

Geekbench 2 (64):

7252

Geekbench 3 (32):

2630

Geekbench 3 (32):

5200

Geekbench 3 (64):

2878

Geekbench 3 (64):

5812

Processor Speed:

1.2 GHz

Processor Type:

Core m5 (M5-6Y54)

Details:

This model is powered by a 14 nm, 1.2 GHz 64-bit "Sixth Generation/Skylake" Intel Mobile m5 (M5-6Y54) processor which includes two independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip. Each core has a dedicated 256k level 2 cache, shares 4 MB of level 3 cache, and has an integrated memory controller (dual channel).

This system also supports "Turbo Boost 2.0" -- which "automatically increases the speed of the active cores" to improve performance when needed (up to 2.7 GHz for this model) -- and "Hyper Threading" -- which allows the system to recognize four total "cores" or "threads" (two real and two virtual).

Also see: How fast are the "Early 2016" MacBook models compared to one another? How much faster are these models than the "Early 2015" line replaced? How fast are they compared to the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro?

Turbo Boost:

2.7 GHz

Custom Speeds:

1.3 GHz*

Processor Upgrade:

Soldered

FPU:

Integrated

System Bus Speed:

OPI*

Cache Bus Speed:

1.2 GHz (Built-in)

ROM/Firmware Type:

EFI

EFI Architecture:

64-Bit

L1 Cache:

32k/32k x2

L2/L3 Cache:

256k x2, 4 MB (on chip)

RAM Type:

LPDDR3 SDRAM*

Min. RAM Speed:

1866 MHz

Details:

*Shipped standard with 8 GB of 1866 MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM onboard.

Standard RAM:

8 GB

Maximum RAM:

8 GB

Details:

8 GB of RAM is onboard and it cannot be upgraded at all.

Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs.

Motherboard RAM:

8 GB

RAM Slots:

None

Video Card:

HD Graphics 515

VRAM Type:

Integrated

Details:

This model has an Intel HD Graphics 515 graphics processor that shares memory with the system.

Standard VRAM:

1.5 GB*

Maximum VRAM:

1.5 GB*

Built-in Display:

12" (16:10)

Native Resolution:

2304x1440

Details:

12" color TFT LED-backlit active-matrix "Retina" display with IPS technology and a 2304 by 1440 native resolution at 226 ppi (16:10 aspect ratio). Apple reports that it also supports "1440 by 900, 1280 by 800, and 1024 by 640" as scaled resolutions.

2nd Display Support:

Dual/Mirroring

2nd Max. Resolution:

3840x2160

Details:

This model can simultaneously support the internal display as well as up to 3840x2160 at 30 Hz on an external display, both at "millions of colors."

Also see: How do you connect an external display to the Retina MacBook? What is the maximum supported resolution? What adapters are required?

Standard Storage:

512 GB SSD

Std. Storage Speed:

845/947 MB/s*

Details:

This model has 512 GB of PCIe-based flash storage soldered onboard. It cannot be upgraded at all, whether at the time of purchase or otherwise.

*Third-party tests using the Blackmagic benchmark report write speeds of 845 MB/s and read speeds of 947 MB/s. QuickBench Extended reports 900.11 MB/s writes and 1196.17 MB/s reads.

How do you connect external storage to the Retina Display MacBook? What options are available? Is it possible? Are adapters required?

Also see: SSD Compatibility Guide for All G3 & Later Macs.

Storage Dimensions:

Soldered

Storage Interface:

Onboard (PCIe 3.0 x2)

Standard Optical:

None*

Standard Disk:

None

Standard Modem:

None

Standard Ethernet:

None

Details:

This MacBook does not have internal Ethernet support. Apple, likewise, has not released a USB-C to Ethernet adapter, although third-party adapters are available.

How do you connect the Retina Display MacBook to a wired Ethernet network? Is it even possible?

Standard AirPort:

802.11ac*

Standard Bluetooth:

4.0

USB Ports:

1 (C)

Firewire Ports:

None

Expansion Slots:

None

Expansion Bays:

None

Details:

No expansion slots or bays provided.

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells a wide variety of external expansion options and accessories, including docking stations, adapters, input devices, cases, and more for this MacBook.

In Australia, site sponsor Macfixit offers an extensive selection of external expansion options and accessories like docks, stands, chargers, cases, security products, and more for this MacBook.

Incl. Keyboard:

Full-size

Incl. Input:

Trackpad (Force Touch)

Case Type:

Notebook

Form Factor:

MacBook Retina 12"

Apple Order No:

MLHC2LL/A*

Apple Subfamily:

Early 2016

Apple Model No:

A1534 (EMC 2991)

Model ID:

MacBook9,1

Details:

Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model.

Also see: All Macs with the A1534 Model Number, the 2991 EMC Number, and the MacBook9,1 Model Identifier.

For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on each Mac, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section.

Battery Type:

41.4 W h Li-Poly

Battery Life:

10-11 Hours

Details:

Apple reports that this model can provide up to 10 hours of "wireless web" and up to 11 hours of "iTunes movie playback" as well as up to "30 days" of standby time. The system is bundled with a 29W USB-C power adapter.

Also see: What is the "real-world" battery life of the "Early 2016" 12-Inch Retina Display MacBook? How does it compare to the MacBook Air and Retina Display MacBook Pro models?

Pre-Installed MacOS:

X 10.11.4 (15E2066)

Maximum MacOS:

Current

Minimum Windows:

8 (64-Bit)*

Maximum Windows:

10 (64-Bit)*

MacOS 9 Support:

None

Windows Support:

Boot/Virtualization

Details:

Also see: Are there any third-party programs to run Mac OS 9/Classic applications on Intel Macs?

Site sponsor OHS specializes in heavily upgraded Macs capable of running both Mac OS X and Mac OS 9 applications.

For more on running Windows on Intel Macs, please refer to the exhaustive Windows on Mac Q&A.

Dimensions:

.14-.52 x 11.04 x 7.74

Avg. Weight:

2.03 lbs (0.92 kg)

Original Price (US):

US$1599

Est. Current Retail:

US$1300-US$1500

Details:

The original price is the same regardless of color.

Please note that on average the estimated current retail pricing of used systems is updated twice a year (please refer to the date on the bottom of the page for the date last updated).

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc.