New (2016) 12-Inch MacBook Vs. 2015 Version: Specs, Performance Breakdown

There are mostly subtle differences between the updated super-svelte 12-inch MacBook just released this week and the original version released more than a year ago. A quick breakdown follows.

Benchmarks: Let's start with probably the least subtle difference -- performance. There is a decent delta between the 5th Generation Broadwell processor of last year's MacBook and the 6th Generation Skylake chip used this year. Early benchmarks are already showing up on Geekbench 3. Laptop Mag, using that benchmark, showed the new Skylake 1.2GHz Core m5 powered MacBook scoring 5,906 versus 4,631 for last year's 1.1GHz Broadwell model.

That comes to roughly a 25 percent speed bump. Other initial benchmarks are in the ballpark of between 20 and 25 percent from 2015's 1.1GHz model to 2016's 1.2GHz model. But before you get too excited, note the glaring $300 difference in price: the 1.2GHz model, as benchmarked, is priced at $1,599 with a 512GB flash drive, while the version sporting a 1.1GHz chip with a 256GB drive is priced at $1,299. Finally, note that the 2016 MacBook uses new  Intel HD Graphics 515, which Apple rates at 25 percent faster.  (See Anandtech for more processor deets.)

Early flash drive speeds are showing a pretty big jump, with some benchmarks showing a boost of between 80 and 90 percent.

Battery life: This is where it begins to get more subtle. The consensus seems to be about an hour more battery life on the newer model. At this point, that's mostly based on Apple's rating. That puts it close to 10 hours on some tests. Apple tends to be conservative on battery life and their rating is usually accurate.

DRAM: Getting more subtle now. As pointed out by Anandtech, the older MacBook uses LPDDR3-1600 DRAM, while the new MacBook sports LPDDR3-1866 DRAM. Anandtech characterizes that as being a "tad faster."

Stays the same: Aside from the new Rose Gold color, the physical chassis is identical, the Retina display resolution is the same, and that one pesky USB-C port is still all by its lonesome. So, that means that there's still a lot left to like (if you were a fan of the original 12-inch MacBook) or the contrary, depending on your taste.