Apple Reportedly Expects 'Major Rush' of Customers This Week

[MacRumors]

Apple has advised its retail store employees to expect a "major rush" of customers this week, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Apple teased "a big week ahead," with announcements starting Monday.

In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said some employees believe Apple's preparations for new products this week are "on par with what happens before the debut of new iPhones in the fall," suggesting that at least one of the devices set to be unveiled between Monday and Wednesday will have "major mainstream appeal."

The new product likely to receive the most interest is the rumored lower-cost MacBook, which is described as an "incredible value" within Apple, according to the newsletter. Apple believes that a more affordable MacBook will help to "drive a serious number of switchers from Windows machines and Chromebooks," wrote Gurman.

While there have been no concrete rumors about the lower-cost MacBook's starting price, estimates range from $599 to $799 in the United States. In any case, qualifying college students and educators should receive $100 off the regular price.

The lower-cost MacBook is expected to be powered by the iPhone 16 Pro's A18 Pro chip, rather than an M-series chip, and it will reportedly have a smaller 12.9-inch display. Based on A18 Pro specs, this MacBook will likely have 8GB of RAM, and the laptop will likely have regular USB-C ports instead of faster Thunderbolt ports.

Like the iBook from the early 2000s, it has been rumored that this MacBook will come in fun color options, like yellow, green, blue, and/or pink.

Beyond the lower-cost MacBook, most if not all of the other new products coming this week are expected to feature upgraded chips and little else. Possibilities include an iPhone 17e with an A19 chip, an iPad Air with an M4 chip, an iPad 12 with an A18 chip, a MacBook Air with the M5 chip, and MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips.

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Article Link: Apple Reportedly Expects 'Major Rush' of Customers This Week

 

[TFrank2]

While appealing, I’d be surprised if the new lower-cost MacBooks really create a massive wave of demand in days? Hope I’m wrong

 

[Unregistered 4U]

DANG! Apple releasing new products and, as a result, retail may see an uptick in foot traffic and sales? SO glad I’m up to date on this insightful information that absolutely no one else could have provided. 😉

EDIT: As of 3/4 ALL products “Availability starting March 11”
A major rush of customers THIS week… that will be told to come back next week? I’m sure that’s how that happens and NOT that Gurman was wrong or anything. “I was merely reporting what SOME employees told me!” Dude, you don’t know that retail employees don’t have any insider information? I know that and watching Apple isn’t a cushy Bloomberg gig for me. 🙂 And, no, the product likely to receive the most interest isn’t and will never be any Mac if there’s an iPhone or iPad anywhere in the mix.

 

[abatabia]

I expect a major rush this week by…..the usual content creators.

 

[TheBeverage]

What's interesting about this is it suggests the products will actually be announced and launched in the same week.

 

[unobtainium]

Apple always seems to overestimate demand for lower-end entry level products. Yes they will sell well over time because of the appealing prices. But from what I have seen during past launches, the tech enthusiasts who rush out and buy things on launch day or week tend to be looking for the cutting edge, top of the line products…

 

[Corefile]

Those who wanted could get a M4 MBA for 749$ in recent times. This thing needs to come in way lower at like $499.

 

[MayaUser]

"the laptop will likely have regular USB-C ports instead of faster Thunderbolt ports"
No, it will for sure have usbC since the A series dont support TB

 

[jonnyb098]

Curious what this could be. A low cost MacBook is NOT a product that would cause “iPhone like traffic” unless it has a touch screen or something. Nor would a iPhone 17e.

Or they could just be referring to people like iJustine flipping out over a pink MacBook. Yeah, that’s probably it actually. 😂

 

[MayaUser]

Those who wanted could get a M4 MBA for 749$ in recent times. This thing needs to come in way lower at like $499.

This will start retail price at probably 699
So like M4 Mba is 749 in some places....this will be around 500-549

 

[tonywalker23]

I'm thankful to have a MBP provided for by work (and after a snafu at the Genius Bar last year it was freely upgraded from an M1 Pro to an M4 Pro)...

But it would be nice to have a "cheap" fun MacBook to carry around. I like macOS much better than iPad OS and hardly ever use my iPad Pro and magic keyboard. And with the AppleCare One additions only being $5 a month, it would be nice to have a ’beater’ MacBook just to lug around. I had a college professor who had no smart phone and just carried a 13" MBP around everywhere on campus with whatever book he needed for class.

I'm sure it won’t happen, but a cellular fun MacBook with a cellular Apple Watch and leave all other devices behind would be a nice setup when in relax mode instead of work mode.

 

[TFrank2]

Curious what this could be. A low cost MacBook is NOT a product that would cause “iPhone like traffic” unless it has a touch screen or something. Nor would a iPhone 17e.

Or they could just be referring to people like iJustine flipping out over a pink MacBook. Yeah, that’s probably it actually. 😂

Exactly. The folks this product is supposedly designed for aren’t sitting on the sidelines waiting and watching for it to be released & rushing out.

 

[PeterKeller]

I expect the new MacBooks will cause .... Pricehikes in the Macbook Air Line.

 

[Attirex]

Yes, just like when actors post on social media from premieres that the just-viewed movie was "best thing I'ver ever seen."

...

 

[CarAnalogy]

Actually curious to see this new MacBook. So many people buy garbage windows computers because they just see the price. Maybe this will finally get some good hardware in their hands.

 

[switz]

Sometimes in Apple World, waiting a few days saves having to send a not quite ready device back for finishing.

 

[Billy_Bob]

Maybe cross-licensing will give us a bright pink Hello Kitty MacBook and a bright yellow Pokémon Pikachu MacBook. Meanwhile, a fluorescent blue U2 MacBook will flop badly.

Or maybe we'll see an inventory-clearing promo: "Buy a MacBook; get a Vision Pro thrown in for free."

 

[Palliser]

Everyone…. Big news… Apple expects to release new products and get sales from them.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Maybe cross-licensing will give us a bright pink Hello Kitty MacBook and a bright yellow Pokémon Pikachu MacBook. Meanwhile, a fluorescent blue U2 MacBook will flop badly.

Or maybe we'll see an inventory-clearing promo: "Buy a MacBook; get a Vision Pro thrown in for free."

Lose the Vision Pro and you got yourself a deal!

 

[KPOM]

"the laptop will likely have regular USB-C ports instead of faster Thunderbolt ports"
No, it will for sure have usbC since the A series dont support TB

Unless they modified it. Unlikely, but not out of the realm of possibility.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I’m going to hold off on camping out in line I think.

 

[KPOM]

While appealing, I’d be surprised if the new lower-cost MacBooks really create a massive wave of demand in days? Hope I’m wrong

Perhaps this is more aggressively priced than what is speculated. I don’t see people waiting in long lines like the early iPhone launches, but if this is accompanied by a large advertising campaign I could see it driving traffic to stores. It’s likely to be the “star of the show” on Wednesday. I expect Apple will do the press release updates to the MacBook Pro, iPad Air, etc. first and unveil the MacBook on Wednesday either at the events or earlier that morning through a press release with a video on Wednesday.

 

[vanishing]

MacBook SE is made for the iPhone SE market, it will sell.

However, I think not having a MacBook SE + Creator (iWork & pixelmator) + iCloud+ subscription is a lost opportunity, it’s perfect for today’s economic situation for many.

 

[sully54]

Maybe they're expecting a major rush of customers looking to by the discounted previous generation product of the 16e and Apple TV

 

[jz0309]

Well, whatever Apple might release this coming week, I ain't going to the Apple Store ... if it's something I really want, it's called Apple.com