Apple plans to launch low-cost MacBook

[Jamie McKane]

Apple plans to launch low-cost MacBook

Apple Inc. will release a new low-cost laptop and a professional-focused upgrade to the Mac mini desktop later this year, ending a drought of Mac computers that has limited sales of the company’s longest-running line of devices, according to people familiar with the plans.

The new laptop will look similar to the current MacBook Air, but will include thinner bezels around the screen.

[Bloomberg]

 

[mattrudlles]

I am looking forward to a low-cost macbook air. Hoping for a $600 entry to a macbook to replace my 8 year old windows laptop.

 

[InfidelGastro]

Just judging by the articles headline, most can see it's just click bait. How can anyone use 'Apple' and 'low cost' in the same sentence???

 

[mattrudlles]

Just judging by the articles headline, most can see it's just click bait. How can anyone use 'Apple' and 'low cost' in the same sentence???

They did launch a low-cost iPad earlier this year...

 

[CT_Biker]

Seems like every time I buy an Apple product there is new one that may replace it soon.

 

[InfidelGastro]

They did launch a low-cost iPad earlier this year...

Apple are set for a big fall in the future, it's inevitable.

 

[cerebus]

Low cost Macbook - you mean a revised Macbook Air. Fail article, again.

Apple are set for a big fall in the future, it's inevitable.

Well, probably.. it's bound to happen sometime I guess.

 

[mattrudlles]

Apple are set for a big fall in the future, it's inevitable.

What does that have to do with the probability of the claim for a new macbook air?

Anyway the release of these low-cost devices could signal: they're in trouble they need more market share; they're a profit making company and want more market share.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Low cost Macbook - you mean a revised Macbook Air. Fail article, again.

The Air was never low cost....just small. But kind of hasn't made sense since the 12-inch non-pro was launched.

I would imagine low cost to be like the days of old plastic covered iBooks and Macbooks.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Apple are set for a big fall in the future, it's inevitable.

Based on what? Pretty sure I asked this question before and never got an answer.

It's like saying Porsche or Lamborghini are set for a big fall in the future.

 

[cerebus]

The Air was never low cost....just small. But kind of hasn't made sense since the 12-inch non-pro was launched.

I would imagine low cost to be like the days of old plastic covered iBooks and Macbooks.

The Air has long been the low cost version of a Macbook. Apple will never go as cheap as people are thinking here - say, sub-$700 for a laptop.

 

[SauRoNZA]

The Air has long been the low cost version of a Macbook. Apple will never go as cheap as people are thinking here - say, sub-$700 for a laptop.

No, it's been the cheapest in the current line of products....not a low cost Macbook.

Quite a difference.

There would certainly be room for a low-cost option as I illustrated they had in the past with the plastic Macbook range.

Much like the iPhone 5C concept.

How much cheaper that will be...I can't comment on.

 

[cerebus]

No, it's been the cheapest in the current line of products....not a low cost Macbook.

Quite a difference.

There would certainly be room for a low-cost option as I illustrated they had in the past with the plastic Macbook range.

Much like the iPhone 5C concept.

How much cheaper that will be...I can't comment on.

But the 5C wasn't actually cheap.

The 16GB iPhone 5C costs £469 upfront, and the 32GB model £549

It was no cheaper than the standard iPhone 5. Thing is the Macbook Air has been outdated for a long time since it's the only thing Apple sells that doesn't have a retina display. I predict they'll improve the display but leave the pricing exactly where it is now - somewhere between $900-1400 depending on the configuration.

 

[Ancalagon]

Low cost Macbook = R15000

 

[Bryn]

Low cost Macbook = R15000

That would be little more than a $1000 - very low cost by Apple's standards. The cheapest MacBook currently starts at $1.3k. I shudder to think what garbage internals Apple would give a machine even lower than that thing.

If you're mainly focused on budget for a computer purchase, you really should be buying a Windows machine imo.

 

[SauRoNZA]

But the 5C wasn't actually cheap.



It was no cheaper than the standard iPhone 5. Thing is the Macbook Air has been outdated for a long time since it's the only thing Apple sells that doesn't have a retina display. I predict they'll improve the display but leave the pricing exactly where it is now - somewhere between $900-1400 depending on the configuration.

Yeah I don’t expect it to be rock bottom cheap.

Maybe lower cost is the better term than low cost.

They’ll never build a Polo.

 

[SauRoNZA]

That would be little more than a $1000 - very low cost by Apple's standards. The cheapest MacBook currently starts at $1.3k. I shudder to think what garbage internals Apple would give a machine even lower than that thing.

If you're mainly focused on budget for a computer purchase, you really should be buying a Windows machine imo.

They could keep the internals reasonable and just go back to using plastic casings.

A lot of their cost goes into that unibody construction.

And if it’s only slightly more pricey and better packages than bottom rung windows machines it will be a winner.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Low cost Macbook = R15000

Erm..the Air costs less than that right now.

I reckon 10-12k would be the sweet spot.

 

[Bryn]

They could keep the internals reasonable and just go back to using plastic casings.

A lot of their cost goes into that unibody construction.

And if it’s only slightly more pricey and better packages than bottom rung windows machines it will be a winner.

Every single low-end Mac user I've ever seen has made me feel really bad for them. Tiny 12" or 13" things that are dog slow, have nearly no storage space and clearly represent an enormous expense to the owner. Man I feel bad when I see them. The same money would buy a decent 15" Windows laptop with better specs in every respect. Especially for the folks blowing nearly R20k on a MacBook.

I just can't get on board with the entry-level Mac thing. They give me cognitive dissonance.

 

[f2wohf]

I am looking forward to a low-cost macbook air. Hoping for a $600 entry to a macbook to replace my 8 year old windows laptop.

I trust you'll be happy with the Pentium III powering it though?