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Apple to Launch 'Low-Cost' MacBook Series Next Year to Rival Chromebooks

If this rumour is true (debatable...) Apple will probably bungle this.

They probably have no ideia how much PC you can get with 500 or 600 euros (16 GB and 512 GB storage)

The M1 is of course a better CPU than what you get but that isn't the end all.
 
Apple almost has the right formula with iPad.

A low cost iPad in a protected keyboard case and Logi Crayon are the most versatile education solution that allows for hand writing, drawing as well as typing in a format that most kids are already familiar with in their phones.

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The problem is that 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've seen Chromebooks in use in the classroom and when there's a choice, kids prefer the iPad 10/10 times.
 
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The price is the biggest issue with MacBook series. That's why 15 inch MBA sold only 50% out of what Apple expected. Lowering the price for MBA would be more helpful unless they have a plan to release a new one for $500 or less.
 
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Sounds to me like Apple will either be going for an App-store only device it sells at or below cost. I bet they have had plans for something like that to be released as soon as they have seen off the competition investigations.

Less radically Apple could simply slot in a 12 inch MacBook to the range at a lower price point than the 13 inch M2 Air (with the M1 getting discontinued between now and then).
 
Does MacOS run on A-Series chips? I Mean, the A15 is closely related to the M1, less performant, more focused on energy usage but still has 4 GB RAM on the iPhones which actually works out on MacOS. The M1 ist still kinda overkill in terms of performance for day-to-day stuff but I guess a binned M1 with less GPU cores and less performance cores would work, would need a bigger battery and metal case though.

In a 12" Macbook SE, 1440p display, plastic display lid and bottom cover, that would be fantastic. Ideally with a microSD slot, but that's just wishful thinking.
 
MrCrowbar said:
Does MacOS run on A-Series chips? I Mean, the A15 is closely related to the M1, less performant, more focused on energy usage but still has 4 GB RAM on the iPhones which actually works out on MacOS. The M1 ist still kinda overkill in terms of performance for day-to-day stuff but I guess a binned M1 with less GPU cores and less performance cores would work, would need a bigger battery and metal case though.

In a 12" Macbook SE, 1440p display, plastic display lid and bottom cover, that would be fantastic. Ideally with a microSD slot, but that's just wishful thinking.
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It ran on A12Z with the Mac mini Development Kit.
 
entropys said:
Serious question, why do American schools buy the computers? Why not just have the kids BYOD? The state government could subsidise the disadvantaged, who would still get to choose their device.

in my country they do and the most common school computer is the MBA.
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Is it really that difficult to think why?

Because schools don’t have enough money or time to cater to all the different operating systems and software each choice of tech has. The school may have a set of software that doesn’t work on some computers.

Usually schools seem to buy hardware along with some kind of software or educational program that works with that hardware.

Also, there is the problem of people really not understanding what to buy. I know people who don’t realize a chomebook doesn’t have a full operating system. They just see the price.

Sure, this could work with lists of acceptable computers, but for younger grades I can see why they want it uniform.
 
StellarVixen said:
So there’s the confirmation. iPad is not getting Mac OS anytime soon. iPad with Mac OS would be perfect contender in this category, but no…
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They’ve been explicitly telling you this for the better part of a decade.
 
They can drop the $899 M1 MBA to $499 if they use unapolagetically plastic casing, lower tier screen, mono speaker, etc
 
Very surprised that they aren’t pushing the iPad as this. Chromebooks mostly just open web tabs, something an iPad can do and more. Just needs a cheaper keyboard for the base model.
 
VaruLV said:
Yeah, sure, 4GB of RAM, M1 or even A14 CPU, 128GB slow SSD, 13.3" display with lower-than-retina resolution(?) and, perhaps, encased in 13.3" MBP or even 13.3" MBA body?
599$
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That would drive the tech nerds here crazy but I kind of agree if they’re going to compete with Chromebooks that have 4 GB RAM
 
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I don't see this happening. Their cheapest Mac mini starts at $499 including the edu discount. Any cheaper than that would mean cutting into profits. They can maybe offer the Mac mini at $399 with limited storage for schools.
 
Apple has in the past squandered so many opportunities to capture the K-12 education market.

They always seem to be half-way in with a great products (iBook to MacBook), but still priced a few hundred dollars too much.

I’m not sure they’re ever truly committed given their penchant for profit margins over market share.
 
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klasma said:
Low cost to Apple, it doesn’t imply low price. ;)
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We, even as Apple fans and users, surely know that Apple will not be competing with Chromebooks by price.

Low-cost to Apple is likely going to be a $399-$599 device, likely M1 based or so.
 
My child’s HP Chromebook is actually halfway decent for what it is. Most school children don’t need $999 MacBooks. Google really understood the assignment with this device.

Is it cheap feeling? Yes. Does it get the job done? Yes.
 
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gpat said:
M1
4/128
1440x900
Polycarbonate
$499.

Come on, Tim.
Destroy the PC market once and for all.
And also destroy the iPad market together with it.
You know you want to do it.
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4/64 on a Chromebook works. Sells for $200~$300.
Bare-bones, dirt cheap, but works.
The above specs are junk, especially at $499.
Mac OS with 4 Gigs RAM.
I don't think so, plus you can never upgrade anything.
I have Android but not Chrome OS.
My tablet is 4/64 and works well, for half the cost of the above, with better specs.
Google has a strong hold on education and IT is probably not ready to go with Mac OS.
This rumor is silly at best.
 
I know what the product will be. 13" crappy screen. 64GB low performance SSD, 2Gb RAM. An unusable product unless you spent 1000 bucks for upgrades........
 
I can believe in what people here are calling SafariBook. Okay, that is different, but can Apple create a whole new OS to compete with Chrome OS. Safari OS: Brand New. Chrome OS: Started in 2011.
 
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