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Leaker Says Apple's Lower-Cost MacBook Will Have These 8 Limitations
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Yeah - agree this all makes sense, if the product ends up being what we all expect it to be. I'm expecting pricing like, base is 8/256 at $599, and 8/512 at $699 (or maybe $649 if they really lean in)... and for that, I think all of these limitations are fine. Agree the backlit kb is probably the highest on the "could go either way" list, but other than creature comfort, I bet vast majority is fine without it / really only need it to use in the dark, and most ppl can get by without, especially at this price point.
BeatsByTim
macrumors 6502
an ipad with a keyboard case would be harder for them to mess up
BeatsByTim
macrumors 6502
Given the features, limitations and price range, this is very clearly aimed at people who are looking for laptops for BASIC computing - stuff like web browsing, email, instant messaging, listening to music and watching videos, office productivity, those sort of things. It's clearly meant to be the Apple equivalent to Chromebooks, but probably more like the netbooks - those small underpowered laptops from the late 2000s and early 2010s that could run Windows XP Home Edition or Windows 7 Starter or even some form of Linux. I recall someone did mention in testing, this new MacBook could render audio and video at the equivalent power of a base-like M1 MacBook Air, but of course they are talking the 7-core graphics and 8 GB unified RAM M1 (compared to my M1 MacBook Air having 8-core graphics and 16 GB of RAM). But even so, I'd assume this would still perform better than the 2015-19 12" MacBook did, and end up being great for education use in the same field as the Chromebooks. Of course, college users who do a lot of art or media work would still be better off with a somewhat beefier MacBook Air or MacBook Pro.
scoobs69
macrumors 6502
95% of the people complaining are expecting a dirt cheap MacBook Pro for productivity.
This computer is perfect for people who want something fairly inexpensive to surf the internet, browse the market place, find vacation destinations, send-receive texts and emails, write essays for school/work, and do facetime with friends and family. ...and hate the iPad form factor.
This computer is perfect for people who want something fairly inexpensive to surf the internet, browse the market place, find vacation destinations, send-receive texts and emails, write essays for school/work, and do facetime with friends and family. ...and hate the iPad form factor.
^This. Also, how many people are typing in pitch-black environments? This is a lot like not putting the magnets in the 16e MagSafe. They're going to leave some quality of life stuff out simply to not make this too good of a deal for people they can rope into a more expensive MacBook Air.
I know it's been said over and over, but I think Apple should streamline its naming conventions across its main product lines. For example:
- iPad, iPad Air, iPad Pro. The iPad Mini name is confusing because it sounds like a mini iPad when it's actually closer to a mini iPad Air. I suggest making it the third size of the iPad Air (9", 11", and 13").
- iPhone, iPhone Air, iPhone Pro. iPhone would be the current basic 16e line. iPhone Air would be the current 17 line, as Apple would drop the current iPhone Air which just doesn't sell, and work instead on making the new Air line slightly thinner without removing features (not a priority though).
- Watch, Watch Air, and Watch Pro. Corresponding to current Watch SE, Watch Series, and Watch Ultra.
- MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro. No need for change here.
- Mac, Mac Air, Mac Pro. Mac would be the current iMac, Mac Air the current Mac Mini, and Mac Pro the current Mac Studio. Apple is likely to drop the current Mac Pro anyway, as most pros actually prefer the Mac Studio.
- Mac Display, Mac Display Air, Mac Display Pro. The first one is simply the current iMac's monitor, the second one is the current Studio Display, and the third one is the current Pro Display XDR.
- AirPods, AirPods Air, AirPods Pro. Equivalent to current AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. Yeah, I know, AirPods Air has twice the word Air, but no big deal.
- If there are only two versions of a device, Air and Pro would be used, as Apple has done until now with its laptops: HomePod Air (current HomePod Mini) and HomePod Pro (current HomePod); eventually Vision Air (new, lighter version) and Vision Pro (no change).
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599-799 is a HOT price point. Remember that the Apple logo carries a huge brand cachet amongst people, and those who see it in store are going to ask why they would opt for the more expensive models. And for 99% of the population, this Macbook is perfect. Ultra portable, way more capable than the iPad, just $200 more than base level iPad and far cheaper than the iPad Pros, which doesn't even come with a keyboard or trackpad.
I think this is going to be an amazing machine. The only downside of this Macbook release is that macOS for sure is never coming to the iPad 😭. I just hate the iPad as a device so much because it's so artificially limited. It has an M3/M5 chip, and it's still an consuming/entertainment device.
I think this is going to be an amazing machine. The only downside of this Macbook release is that macOS for sure is never coming to the iPad 😭. I just hate the iPad as a device so much because it's so artificially limited. It has an M3/M5 chip, and it's still an consuming/entertainment device.
BeatsByTim
macrumors 6502
This is still expensive. $600 is a big investment for most people.
SpanishAppleNerd
macrumors 6502
Maybe not pitch-black, but some gamers turn off the lights and just leave the screen on (like some movie watchers do), in which case it's hard to see the keys. As these users are unlikely to play on a basic MacBook, Apple won't include the feature.
Another example would be in a long-haul flight: lights turned off for the night as people are sleeping, and you want to use your laptop without turning on the light above you.
One of them was invited to the NYC experience.
Don't forget: it's an Apple laptop. Like Mercedes-Benz, this brand isn't for all budgets (and doesn't want to). There are many worthwhile, cheaper options out there.
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I believe eight gig of RAM is out of the question due to Apple Intelligence requirements. 12 or 16 is the new minimum.
Billy_Bob
macrumors regular
Regarding the lack of backlit keyboard, I'm sure Apple marketing folks will be able to come up with some patter to convince gullible buyers that they're getting something special. So it doesn't have a backlit keyboard? Well, instead it has "Liquid Touch" -- keycaps engineered for the ideal user experience for a laptop's thin form factor.
Had plenty of laptops and desktops without lit up keys. The indents for your pointer fingers at home position are there for a reason. Light, dark…not supposed to be looking at your fingers when you type anyways.
Mrkevinfinnerty
macrumors 68040
JPack
macrumors P6
Why would you believe that when there's so much evidence to the contrary?
You'd be surprised how many people can't type blindly, even after decades. I'm one of them 😉
What evidence do you speak of?
Current Airs have 16 ram minimum - due to AI.
All phones got a ram boost due to AI as well.
Might we see an A18X Pro with 12GB RAM option and the ability to extend the display to an external monitor?
You are severely underrating the A18.
It has a single core benchmark similar to the M4 and a multi core score close to the M2, and even graphics are above the M1.
In day-to-day tasks, it will likely perform about the same as any 2020-2024 MacBook Air, processing speed certainly will not be a drawback to this machine.