KGI: Apple to Launch Cheaper MacBook Air in 2Q 2018

[CWallace]

Incidentally, does anyone know why the MacBook is relatively expensive? Is it the intel processor, primarily?

The CPUs and the retina display are probably the most expensive components. The display assembly retail replacement price is $450 so Apple's cost is probably around $200. And the CPUs list for $281 when purchased in 1000 unit batches so Apple's price is also probably around $200.

 

[bluecoast]

The CPUs and the retina display are probably the most expensive components. The display assembly retail replacement price is $450 so Apple's cost is probably around $200. And the CPUs list for $281 when purchased in 1000 unit batches so Apple's price is also probably around $200.

Thanks for that.

I wonder if the rumours of the low cost iPad are true, that Apple will be able to negotiate a very good deal on ‘standard’ retina displays ie of the same sort that are in the current iPad.

That then might help make a entry level MacBook cheaper.

There’s still the issue of the processor though. I really think that the next generation of MacBooks will use an Apple A chip of some sort. With the volumes that Apple sells idevices in the price per processor is likely to be cheaper. Plus Apple gets to leverage all of the other technologies that work with iPads and iPhones far easier.

Let’s see. For that to happen the cross platform framework and MacOS are going to have to work on the A series chips so something like this is unlikely before the fall.

 

[chucker23n1]

There really isn't many reasons why Apple wouldn't create AMD custom APU with their security enclave and GPU on SoC, pay AMD a lump sum for the design, and copy it as much as they could to have a better cut.

There really aren't many reasons why they would do that either.

(What does this offer over Intel Kaby Lake-G + T2?)

 

[ksec]

The CPUs and the retina display are probably the most expensive components. The display assembly retail replacement price is $450 so Apple's cost is probably around $200. And the CPUs list for $281 when purchased in 1000 unit batches so Apple's price is also probably around $200.

The pricing for Display has come down a lot, I think the initial amortization cost for these Panel, including those used in Retina iMac, should be close to an end. Remember these panels are designed specifically for Apple's specification in accordance to their environmental protection and toxic material usage. From the iMac Retina it is now close to 4 years since its inception.

That is why I am hopeful we might see a $1099 Macbook, but i am very sceptical if Macbook could be $999.

 

[Abazigal]

I find this ‘new/cheap’ MacBook Air tumour to be really puzzling.

The screen, ports and design are all legacy and it surely only still exists to meet the sub $1k price point.

I find it way more likely that they’re going to find a way to make the MacBook cheaper.

Incidentally, does anyone know why the MacBook is relatively expensive? Is it the intel processor, primarily?

I suspect it's more the R&D that went into making the form factor possible. The first MacBook Air was extremely expensive as well, and it took many years of progressive price cuts before it became as affordable as it is today.

 

[Falhófnir]

It is very true that total Mac sales have fluctuated per quarter over the years, but the MacBook Pro is now the best-selling laptop within the range (replacing the MacBook Air) and laptops themselves now make up 80% of annual Mac sales.

Of course the pro is the best selling line - have you seen how many models are sold under the pro moniker? That’s vs a couple of outdated MBA SKUs and a niche 12” ultraportable...

 

[Zarniwoop]

There really aren't many reasons why they would do that either.

(What does this offer over Intel Kaby Lake-G + T2?)

Profit is the reason. After the lump sum (R&D), the cost per SoC could be something around 40 USD. Not 200 USD what Intel is asking. So the more the copy machine runs, the bigger profit Apple would make. As we know, Apple is able to make cheap A9 devices now, because the R&D costs have been covered long time ago. Now it is just the price of the SoC. If Apple wants to make cheaper Macs, they need to take the same road. AMD already does this to game console makers, and Apple could follow the suite.

Other benefit would be a smaller motherboard, when they'd have most of the components on the SoC. T2 included. And T3 could have TB3 controller built-in. As a matter of fact, Apple could add even the memory on the SoC to make things really tiny. Then match-box Mac Mini would be possible.

On software side Apple could update macOS to support HSA and hUMA memory model. This is already supported in iOS, but not in macOS because of Intel's limitations. That would reduce latency and free-up traffic from pci-bus.

 

[Dave245]

Of course the pro is the best selling line - have you seen how many models are sold under the pro moniker? That’s vs a couple of outdated MBA SKUs and a niche 12” ultraportable...

I think the point is that it doesn't stop people buying them, all the doom and gloom that surrounded the MacBook Pro 2016 when it was announced made it seem like they wouldn't sell and Apple had a flop on there hands when in fact that wasn't the case at all. The MacBook Pro is now the best selling for that reason.

 

[Tozovac]

Has anyone heard any more "solid rumors" regarding this potential new option?

I still truly value my 2014 i7 MBA due to its longer battery life over MBP's as well as its flexible ports, magsafe, and clickable (like God always intended ) trackpad, but I sure wish the SSD was 512 not 128. Debating on updating my SSD if not purchasing a friend's pristine pre-owned 2013 i7 MBA w/512gb for $500, but sure would like to know more about the "rumored" 2018 MBA if anyone new any more unverified conjecture-d postulated rumors/guesses/factoids. Screen resolution matters very little to me - don't miss retina at all given the battery life trade-off, plus it's a no-brainer to just use a second monitor or duet iPad app when a larger screen or better resolution is desired.

Thanks for any help.

 

[chucker23n1]

As we know, Apple is able to make cheap A9 devices now

So you want Apple to make a MacBook with a two-and-a-half-generations old CPU and sell that for $1,499? Really?

 

[Falhófnir]

I think the point is that it doesn't stop people buying them, all the doom and gloom that surrounded the MacBook Pro 2016 when it was announced made it seem like they wouldn't sell and Apple had a flop on there hands when in fact that wasn't the case at all. The MacBook Pro is now the best selling for that reason.

I don't think there was any question of them being a 'flop' - perhaps underselling somewhat, which still isn't clear as, again, there are so many pro models being sold it's easy to say the pros are the best selling machines.

 

[Zarniwoop]

So you want Apple to make a MacBook with a two-and-a-half-generations old CPU and sell that for $1,499? Really?

Apple does that with iPhone SE and iPad 2017. Those are low priced thanks to the couple of generations old CPU. A9 is cheap to produce, maybe $30 per SoC, because R&D costs have been covered long time ago. Mac's could adopt similar way of pricing, so that Macbook gets the latest and greatest with a price tag, and then Macbook SE could offer similar tech two years later half the price. But it is not possible with Intel. So, because AMD has license for x86 and they're willing to do custom APU's for their customers to copy as much as they want, Apple could co-design their CPU's with AMD.

Apple could sell Macbook SE for $799 with two years old CPU. And Macbooks for $1,499 with latest bells and whistles. But that would happen couple of years after the first launch of Apple/AMD APU.

Anyway, this might not happen. But profit wise it could be one option.

 

[chucker23n1]

Apple does that with iPhone SE and iPad 2017. Those are low priced thanks to the couple of generations old CPU. A9 is cheap to produce, maybe $30 per SoC, because R&D costs have been covered long time ago. Mac's could adopt similar way of pricing, so that Macbook gets the latest and greatest with a price tag, and then Macbook SE could offer similar tech two years later half the price. But it is not possible with Intel.

Sure it is. Stick a $107 Celeron in and you’re done. The R&D required to make it work with Apple A* only makes sense for a much broader Mac on ARM strategy, and so far I find the proposed advantages rather small.

 

[Zarniwoop]

Sure it is. Stick a $107 Celeron in and you’re done. The R&D required to make it work with Apple A* only makes sense for a much broader Mac on ARM strategy, and so far I find the proposed advantages rather small.

Celeron has a branding problem. It's a b-class product from day one where as Apple A9 was a top of the line in its time. If Intel had branded their CPU's like i5-2015 and i5-2018, and the older is today half price, we'd have a similar situation that Apple has.

 

[toke lahti]

I suspect it's more the R&D that went into making the form factor possible. The first MacBook Air was extremely expensive as well, and it took many years of progressive price cuts before it became as affordable as it is today.

Well, these days, it takes Apple more time to release any upgrade to mba than it took to halve original mba’s price.
Because Apple is so low on money and resources to r&d...

 

[pankajdoharey]

You haven't made a good case on why this would benefit anyone.
[doublepost=1521675883][/doublepost]

Their current keyboard is butterfly. The predecessor was scissor. Both are chiclet.

My guess was probably right, Apple will ditch Intel and make a unified OS check this https://www.macrumors.com/2018/04/02/apple-custom-mac-chips-2020/

 

[chucker23n1]

But that article doesn't really add anything. It doesn't explain any details (will there be emulation?), doesn't address concerns (will it still run Windows?), and doesn't provide much of a rationale other than this vapid fluff:

By using its own chips, Apple would be able to more tightly integrate new hardware and software, potentially resulting in systems with better battery life

It's an interesting rumor, and it may well be true, but there isn't much to discuss.