The problem is that old, technologically challenged adults raised in a different paradigm with preconceived notions of what an education computer should be are making purchase decisions for kids who thrive on touch devices.
I thought so too but it doesn't seem like that's been panning out. At least, I've never seen a school with a lineup of iPads the way they have lineups of Chromebooks. Would probably be a wise decision to move into that market but price is very important for success in that area
I don’t think they’ll be very competitive with Chromebooks on price if they go above $600. Chromebooks start at around $100, and there are a lot of choices in the $300–500 range.
Exactly, and it will still be complete overkill for an educational market. It’s an insane SoC for 95% of people, with nothing in the general computing horizon that will make it struggle in the coming years.
IMO you hit on the essential point: Apple now makes its own chips, and we do not know where all the chipmaking economies may be. For instance, perhaps after fab lowest-end chips are over-abundant, essentially free.
Apple is developing a low-cost MacBook series to compete with Chromebook models in the education sector that could be launched as early as the second half of 2024, claims a new report out of Taiwan.
According to DigiTimes' industry sources, Apple will likely launch the new product line to differentiate it from the company's existing MacBook Air and Pro lines. The outer appearance will still use a metal casing but will be made of "different materials" and the cost of the mechanical components will be lower, claims the report.
The launch timeframe for the alleged new MacBook series appears to be based on a lack of related activity at major Apple suppliers like Quanta Computer and Foxconn, making a launch in the first half of next year unlikely.
Over 13.9 million Chromebooks were shipped in 2019, increasing to over 30.4 million in 2020 and 33.5 million in 2021, according to DigiTimes Research, highlighting the popularity of Google's low-cost laptops in the education sector, especially during and around the global pandemic.
Chromebook shipments are said to have slowed since the end of lockdowns, but the scale of shipments is still larger than before COVID. The number of educational institutions that have adopted Chromebooks over the last few years is also said to have seen rapid growth, especially when compared to Apple's iPads, sales of which have lagged in the education market.
This is the first rumor we have heard that Apple is actively developing a new MacBook series that the company will price below its more premium MacBook offerings, so expectations should remain guarded until we receive corroboration from other sources.
Article Link: Apple to Launch 'Low-Cost' MacBook Series Next Year to Rival Chromebooks
They’ll just keep producing the M1’s. The longer a chip is in production the cheaper it is to manufacture them (per unit). It’s an excellent way to continue reaping ROI on the development costs and not have to spend hundreds of millions shuttering/overhauling fabs.
This is only true if the product line would have been idle, dormant, or abandoned. This is usually NOT case with high density electronic components. Usually the production lines are “retooled” for new components. It appears that the A and M lines are always running trying to keep up with demand for the new latest components. There aren’t older lines just sitting around or cranking out old designs
