Obsolete macbook A1534 - won’t switch on

No, it probalby just has no juice and your power adapter is messed up or is the wrong one or the battery is out of juice.

Most likely an authorized service provider can pull out the SSD and recover the data if you need it.

But before even considering it, make sure you have properly identified the Mac using the serial number on its under side:

http://checkcoverage.apple.com/ as the A # can be any of a number of models. But the serial number is more precise. Do not post it to this discussion, only post its time of year produced, and model full name.

You can then use this article to identify what adapter is correct:

Identify your Mac power adapter - Apple Support

Then identify how to reset its SMC:

Reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support

If that still fails, then bring it in for service.

Mac batteries last 2-5 years.

z285 wrote:

I haven’t even been able to work out which replacement charger to even buy.

All of the 12" Retina MacBooks had a single USB-C port that supported USB, DisplayPort, and charging – but not Thunderbolt. You just need a USB-C power supply and a USB-C cable that support USB Power Delivery at a high enough wattage. (Which for these laptops, wasn't very high.)

MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015) - Technical Specifications

MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016) - Technical Specifications

MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017) - Technical Specifications

Looks like the first two models shipped with a 29W USB-C Power Adapter, and the third shipped with a 30W USB-C Power Adapter. So any USB-C power brick rated for 30W or more should do. Here's an Apple one that they say is compatible with all three 12" Retina MacBooks (as it well ought to be!).

30W USB‑C Power Adapter - Apple

Here's a USB-C charging cable that should work:

60W USB-C Charge Cable (1 m) - Apple

That is, if the 12" Retina MacBook itself is not dead …

z285 Said:

"Obsolete macbook A1534 - won’t switch on: [...]what can I do to retrieve the documents/data from it as some of it is really important?"

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Removing Data from a Device Without Power:

Take this to an AASP  (Apple Authorized Service Provider). See if they can remove the rad drive, and perform the transfer. It would be inserted into a toaster, and then they'd perform he transfers. See an AASP (Apple Authorized Service Provider) in your local area...

Contacting an AASP: 

1. Go Here: Find Locations - Apple Authorized Reseller
2. Click: Service & Support
3. Enter: your location information
4. See: if there is an AASP nearby
5. Contact: an AASP that shows up, and find out more about the services that they offer to fix the iPhone

TheLittles wrote:

Removing Data from a Device Without Power:

Take this to an AASP  (Apple Authorized Service Provider). See if they can remove the rad drive, and perform the transfer. It would be inserted into a toaster, and then they'd perform he transfers. See an AASP (Apple Authorized Service Provider) in your local area...

I won't post the links - but a tear-down article indicates that the flash chips in the 12" 2015 Retina MacBook are soldered directly to the main logic board. Same for the 12" 2017 Retina MacBook.

Seems likely that the flash chips were soldered in on the 2016 model, too.

Apple used Model Number A1534 for three 12" Retina MacBook models: Early 2015, Early 2016, 2017.

I think it might still be possible to get battery replacement service for the Early 2016 and 2017 models. For those models, Apple's repair estimation tool is saying that it will cost $249 to have Apple replace the battery. The Early 2015 model doesn't show up in the estimation menu – make of that what you will.

Whether the issue with yours is a dead battery, or a problem with the charging circuits, or something else, I can't say.

Mac Repair & Service - Apple Support

You are welcome.