Tuesday, July 1, 2025

A 12-inch MacBook is the only affordable Mac I want from Apple

Rumors that Apple might make an affordable, multi-colored MacBook based on the A18 Pro chip sparked considerable excitement and ignited a hope in me and others that it could mark the return of the 12-inch MacBook.

Unveiled a decade ago, the gold-finished 2-lb, full-sized keyboard-sporting MacBook was, for its time, an engineering marvel. Apple arguably rewrote its laptop playbook to create the system.

Shortly after launch, I spoke to the marketing head Phil Schiller and Apple's Mac and iPad lead (and now Apple's senior vice president of Hardware Engineering) John Ternus about all Apple did to make the portable wonder.

The pair spread out before me things like a multi-tiered battery and something called the "speaktenna", which was basically a combination of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth antennas and a speaker system.

"We ended up with a group of antenna engineers who know more about speakers than any other antenna engineers and a group of speaker engineers who knew more about antenna design than just about anyone else in the world," Ternus told me.

There was a passion around the product that rivaled that of the Apple Watch, which launched alongside it.

The 12-inch MacBook was also a bit of an odd duck. It was lighter than a MacBook Air, but it was not an Air. It didn't have the same number of ports. In fact, there was just one USB-C port running at USB 3.1 speeds (pokey compared to the Thunderbolt 4 ones you find on today's MacBook airs). Oh, and did I mention that the port handled charging duties, too?

Encrusted with components on both sides, the 12-inch MacBook's motherboard was small enough to fit in the palm of my hand. Everything about the MacBook's components was built in support of its enviable proportions.

At its thickest part, it was, at 0.35cm, thinner than the current MacBook Air. I love the current 13-inch MacBook Air (M4), but I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't enjoy carrying around an even lighter, thinner, and smaller cousin.

It's fair, though, to ask why the market needs such a system now.

First, let's imagine what the MacBook 12-inch 2026 might be. It would have:

  • An A18 Pro CPU
  • 13-inch LED-backlit Retina display
  • 16 GB of memory to support Apple Intelligence
  • 128 GB of on-board storage
  • 30GB of free iCloud storage
  • A fanless design
  • A MagSafe Charge port
  • A USB-C style Thunderbolt 3 port
  • Recycled aluminum enclosure
  • A full-sized magic keyboard including Touch ID
  • A 4-inch Force Touch Trackpad

Design-wise, the 12-inch MacBook A18 Pro would align closely with the MacBook Air line. No more wedge, instead two flat panels squeezed together into a 0.35cm-thick slab.

Granted that everything above is guesswork, but I believe that configuration would fit neatly into a $599 package (maybe even a $499 one).

Nothing here is new, and the A18 Pro is plenty powerful and efficient to run such a system.

The benefit, obviously, is an affordable, yet nearly full-sized portable that is a complete system. I am well aware you can buy an M4 Mac Mini for $599, but you still need to buy a mouse, keyboard, and screen. This, by contrast, would be the full Apple MacBook package at, finally, an affordable price.

You might have also noticed the rather paltry base storage. That's to help keep costs down. It's buttressed, though, by something Apple desperately needs to do: offer more versatile and forgiving iCloud storage options.

The usual 5GB of free storage is not enough, and I think the extra 30GB will offset the limited local storage, moving those who are on the fence about the 12-inch MacBook into the must-buy territory.

Give them what they want

If Apple balks at reintroducing the confusing "MacBook" name, especially when it's smaller and lighter than the MacBook Air, they could call it the MacBook Air LT (for light) or MacBook Air A (for its A-series chip).

One need only look at Walmart for evidence that consumers want such a system. It's been selling the old-school design MacBook Air M1 for $699 and now $649 for years. People are desperate for a truly affordable Mac, but they are probably tired of the growing performance compromises tied to the aging M1 chip.

The A18 Pro will sing in a tiny 12-inch laptop, and the system's incredibly small proportions will make it a hit with those who thought they might go for a lightweight iPad with a Magic Keyboard Folio, mainly because they thought it wouldn't weigh down their backpack.

Apple has learned, thanks to Apple Silicon, so much about building lightweight and performant systems that it makes sense to extend the MacBook idea in new and maybe unexpected directions.

A revived 12-inch MacBook would sell like hotcakes and pave the way for more fresh ideas, like a 12-inch MacBook Air running an M3 chip. That one could sell for $699.

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Eight of the Best Countries for Americans to Retire To (That Aren’t the US)

Everyone’s vision of what retirement looks like is different. Some dream of traveling the world, while others look forward to an afternoon nap that lasts decades. The one thing an increasing number of people agree on? It's a challenge to afford retirement in the United States.

Only half of Americans have retirement savings at all, and most who do don’t have nearly enough stashed away in them to actually live on. In fact, more than 17 million Americans over the age of 65 are financially insecure. Meanwhile, the cost of living in the U.S. keeps going up, even as safety nets like Medicaid are having their strings cut. Put that all together and it’s no surprise that a rising number of folks are looking into retiring abroad, to countries where their dollars will stretch a lot further.

Just because the cost of living is low doesn’t mean a country is a great choice for retirement, however. You need to find a balance between cheap living and other factors, like healthcare and security. Plus, you have to find countries where the income requirements for residency are low enough for your small nest egg to qualify you to move there—and if you’re going to rely solely on Social Security payments in your retirement, you need countries where the cost of living falls below the average payment, which is currently $1,976.

After considering all those factors—and recognizing that every person's needs are different—here are eight countries where you can retire on the cheap and still live well.

Costa Rica

A single person can live on about $900 per month (not counting rent) in Costa Rica, which is considered a modern, stable country with an excellent healthcare system. There’s already a robust expatriate community of Americans living in there, which can make for a softer transition if you don’t speak Spanish well and/or haven’t lived abroad before. Of course, all those expats are also pushing the cost of living up, so don’t assume your budget will work indefinitely, but it's still going to be significantly cheaper than almost anywhere in the U.S.

Income requirement: $1,000 per month

Panama

You can get by in Panama for around $800 per month (excluding rent), and the U.S. dollar is an official currency in the country so you don’t have to worry about converting your cash. Panama openly courts American retirees, and offers tons of discounts and benefits to lure them there. You’ll need to apply for a Visa in Panama, you’ll need a Panamanian attorney, and you’ll probably need to learn Spanish, but once you’re there, you’ll enjoy a stable, thriving culture and a relatively easy trip back to the States if you want to visit family and friends.

Income requirement: $1,000 per month plus $250.00 per month for each dependent

France

Believe it or not, one of the world’s top tourist destinations is also a terrific spot to retire. The cost of living (not including rent) is a little higher at about $1,100 per month, but you’ll get access to one of the best healthcare systems in the world for a fraction of what it would cost here. The U.S. also has a tax treaty with France, so your retirement accounts will be taxed at U.S. rates instead of the much higher French rates. France is a complex country, though, so you’ll probably need to hire a French attorney to go through the process of retiring there—and you definitely have to learn some French.

Income requirement: Three times the monthly minimum wage (currently about $2,100)

Malaysia

Malaysia is incredibly affordable—though income requirements are higher, the cost of living for a single person is only around $550 per month (not including rent), and the rents aren’t very high, either. The country boasts a top-notch healthcare system, and English is well-supported there. But be careful: Getting to and from Malaysia isn’t always easy, so you won’t be flitting back and forth between the U.S. and your retirement home. And it’s a pretty hot, humid place all the time, so don’t choose it if you’re looking to avoid sweating.

Income requirement: $2,370 per month, plus about $83,000 in assets

Spain

Like France, Spain isn’t usually discussed as a retirement option—but it should be. Although the income requirement is relatively high, the cost of living (without rent) is a comfortable $850 or so, which gets you access to a beautiful country with a rich culture that also offers very low crime rates, excellent healthcare, and (it probably goes without saying) incredible food and lifestyle.

Income requirement: $2,700 per month.

Ecuador

Ecuador is super cheap, costing about $535 per month not including rent. Plus, its official currency is the U.S. dollar, so you don’t have to worry about exchange rates. If you’re looking for a lifestyle that focuses on natural beauty, this is the place you want to be. The healthcare system is surprisingly great (and affordable, even if you have to pay for private insurance).

Income requirement: Three times the unified basic salary ($470 per month), so about $1,410

Portugal

Portugal is a gorgeous country with excellent infrastructure, terrific healthcare, and plenty of beautiful spots to call home. Not including rent, its cost of living is a slender $805 per month—but note that you won’t qualify for the free national healthcare until you’ve lived in the country for at least five years, so be prepared to pay for private health insurance as well. On the other hand, Portugal revamped its tax system a few years ago to offer 10 years of tax breaks and exemptions to qualifying expats, which might help offset those costs. English is also very commonly spoken, making it an easy place to transition to.

Income requirement: $1,025 per month

Thailand

If you’re pinching every penny, Thailand might be ideal: The cost of living is a super-low $621 per month (without rent), while the healthcare system is excellent (and affordable), and the country is beautiful. Americans will likely be in for a bit of culture shock, however, so it’s likely a good idea to visit the country first to make sure you’ll be able to adjust and actually enjoy your very cheap retirement.

Income requirement: $2,000 per month



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Peloton's 'Pace Targets' Workouts May Turn Me Into a Runner

I do not run. Well, I try, like, twice a year, but I'm not good at it. My colleagues Meredith and Beth are stellar athletes who are extremely capable runners. I am a cycling instructor who prefers low-impact cardio that does not jolt my entire body around or give me a pain in my side. Whenever I do get the wild idea to run, I sort of take off up Manhattan's FDR Drive with no clear goal or idea of how fast I should be attempting to go. I then burn out, get annoyed, and stop. A marathon is not in my future. Not even a 5K is in my future—or so I thought, until I tried Peloton's Pace Target workouts.

What are Peloton's pace target workouts?

Pace Target workouts are customized additions to running, walking, hiking, and bootcamp classes on Peloton's Tread and Tread+ treadmills (though in some cases, you can use them without one of the company's proprietary devices). Basically, instead of being told by your virtual instructor to run at, say, a pace of 6.2, you're told to run at a "moderate" pace, which will differ from person to person. My moderate is, like, a 4.1, but if you're a hardcore runner, yours might be higher than that. For us to get the same benefit from a moderate run, we'd be moving at totally different paces—and that's what Pace Target workouts are for: "Speed ranges tailored to you."

First, you take an introductory class, "20 min Intro to Pace Targets." You are asked to estimate the fastest mile you think you could run, then set a target level between 1-10. Based on the estimate you give for how fast you could run a mile, Peloton creates a breakdown of what your speed ranges should be for the following seven categories:

  • Recovery

  • Easy

  • Moderate

  • Challenging

  • Hard

  • Very Hard

  • Max

When you start a workout that uses Pace Targets (which will be shown on the preview screen with a small icon that says "Pace Targets"), your screen will tell you what incline to be at and give you a range estimate. The instructor will announce when it's time for, say, a "moderate" or "hard" pace, but they won't tell you a number to set your treadmill to or a specific pace to hit if you're outdoors. Instead, the screen will tell you what range you should target for your moderate or hard run.

My experience with Pace Targets

This feature rolled out about a year ago and, ever since, Peloton has been working to broaden and improve it. It used to only be for runs on the Tread or Tread+, but now you can use it for outdoor workouts, runs on a non-Peloton treadmill, bootcamps, and more.

This week, Peloton fans were talking about its newest uses for walking workouts and, since I love the walking workouts on the app, I wanted to try it out on the treadmill—but without a Tread or Tread+, the functionality wasn't there yet. I couldn't see my Pace Targets on the screen when completing a walking workout on a regular treadmill and using my phone app.

Now, I had already dragged myself out into the hot summer air to get to the gym. Not wanting that effort to go to waste, I decided to try out the Pace Target workouts in the running section of the app, since I was already on the treadmill and all. How bad could it be?

It wasn't, I discovered, bad at all!

A major issue I have with guided running workouts is that at some point, the instructor says a number that is simply not happening for me. With Pace Targets, though, I was able to set reasonable expectations upfront by indicating I could do one single 9:30-minute mile if I had to. (I can be fast, but I do not enjoy even one second of it.) As the class began, I was not told what to set my treadmill to at all. Rather, I was given a range of "moderate" settings that aligned with my indicated fitness level and encouraged to stay within it, though I was also told I could go lower (or higher) if I wanted to.

It was easy to follow along with on my phone and, because I have my Apple Watch synced to my Peloton app, I could see my heart rate and "Strive Score," too, so I knew I really was in my "moderate" zone. Strive Scores are calculated based on how long you spend in certain heart rates during a workout and your heart rate is shown to you on a color-coordinated graph. The colors of the heart rate graph match up with the colors on the Pace Target graph shown on-screen, so it was simple to grasp. When they were the same color—for instance, teal when I was supposed to be in a moderate range or "Zone 2"—I knew I was doing what I was supposed to be doing.

Unlike when I try to follow a guided run or head out to jog on my own, at no point was I going way too fast and in danger of burning out. I finished my first workout and my subsequent workouts feeling great: a little winded, but energized.

Why Pace Target workouts are useful

Even more shockingly, I wanted to keep doing it: I wanted to keep following Pace Target runs, identifying my perfect paces, and running smoothly. But I had to collect all my data and start drafting this story. While I was doing that, I set out to find out more about Pace Targets—and I realized this feature is especially helpful for outdoor runners who want to get a better understanding of their own pacing when they're not relying on treadmills to figure it out for them.

That's where I always screw up when I'm hauling up and down the FDR—I take off and hope for the best. But now, having discovered through Pace Targets that my "moderate" speed should be around 4.1 mph, I feel confident I could control myself, focus on the heart rate data on my wearable, and actually run for a longer amount of time, staying in the most manageable and effective cardio zone for my goals.

Pace Target workouts can be found all over the Peloton app and include walking and running intervals, tempo-based runs, recovery runs, and more. Instructors provide clear cues about which intensity you should be exercising at, not which number you should be targeting, and you can change your pace target at any time by tapping the speed displayed on your screen during a workout. As someone with no previous understanding of my personal pacing, heart rate zones, or ideal running intervals, I think this feature is extremely useful and—I can't believe I'm saying this—I can't wait to keep using it.



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