Apple unveils ‘reimagined’ super skinny MacBook with Retina display

Apple has finally unveiled its new, much speculated about, MacBook: all 920 grams, and 13.1mm (thin) of it.

Apple says with the new MacBook, it set out to do the impossible: 'engineer a full-size experience into the lightest and most compact notebook every'.

The company says every element has been 're-imagined' to make the MacBook not only lighter and thinner 'but also better'.

Tim Cook, Apple CEO, joked 'can you even see it' as he unveiled the new offering.

Featuring a 12-inch Retina display, the new MacBook also includes a full-size keyboard. Apple says it 'redesigned each key and its underlying mechanism' to make the keyboard 'much thinner' and more responsive. A new Force Touch trackpad, which detects the amount of pressure applied and gives new ways of interaction, also features.

One area which caused consternation for some when it rumoured has also been confirmed, with the announcement that the MacBook will only have one USB-C port, which will also be used for charging, as well as USB 3 data transfer. Internet connection will be via Wi-FI. Gone are the full-size USB ports, Thunderbolt port and SD card reader of the 13-inch MacBook Air.

Apple says the battery has up to 9 hours life.

The new model will be available in three colours: silver, grey and gold.

"Apple has reinvented the notebook with the new MacBook, and at just 920 grams and 13.1mm [24% thinner than the 11-inch MacBook Air], it's the thinnest and lightest Mac ever," says Philip Schiller, Apple senior vice president of worldwide marketing.

"Every component of the MacBook reveals a new innovation. From its fanless design, ultra-thin Retina display and full-size keyboard that's 34% thinner, to its all-new Force Touch trackpad, versatile USB-C port and breakthrough terraced battery design, the new MacBook is the future of the notebook.

The 12-inch MacBook will begin shipping April 10 through the Apple Online Store and select Apple Authorised Resellers.

MacBook comes with a 1.1 GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 2.4 GHz, 8GB of memory, 256GB of flash storage and Intel HD Graphics 5300 starting at recommended retail price NZD$1999 including GST; and with a 1.2 GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 2.6GHz, 8GB of memory, 512GB of flash storage and Intel HD Graphics 5300 starting from recommended retail price NZD$2,399 including GST.

MacBook Pro, Air updates

Apple has also announced an updated 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display.

Like the 12-inch MacBook, the Pro now includes the Force Touch trackpad. The new model runs fifth generation Intel Core processors and Intel Iris Graphics 6100. Longer battery life is also promised.

The 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Airs have also been updated with fifth generation Intel Core processors, Intel HD Graphic 600, and Thunderbolt 2.

Apple dubbed the upgrades 'significant'.

Apple says the new Pro and Air models are available now through the Apple Online Store and select Apple Authorised Resellers.

Pricing for the 13-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1999 including gst for a 2.7Ghz dual core i5 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.1GHz, 8GB of memory and 128GB of flash storage.

The 11-inch MacBook Air comes with a 1.6 GHz processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 2.7 GHz, 4GB of memory and is available with 128GB of flash storage starting at recommended retail price NZD$1,399 including GST.