Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Price of new 12" MacBook
- Thread starter citivolus
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Given the base 11" MBA is 999 and the 13" MBA is 1099. I'd have to think its going to be priced in the 1,000 dollar mark.
I also can't see apple selling a 11" MBA, a 12" MBA and a 13" MBA. Something has to give in its product line.
My point is, if Apple does drop one of the MBAs the 12" MBA will probably fit that niche, i.e., say they drop the 13" MBA, then the 12" will be priced closer to what apple is now charging for the 13" MBA
I also can't see apple selling a 11" MBA, a 12" MBA and a 13" MBA. Something has to give in its product line.
My point is, if Apple does drop one of the MBAs the 12" MBA will probably fit that niche, i.e., say they drop the 13" MBA, then the 12" will be priced closer to what apple is now charging for the 13" MBA
My wild, shot-in-the-dark guess is that the 12" notebook will replace both the 11" and the 13", and then have the MBP be 13" and 15". If you drop a retina display into the new 12", I think the cost will be $1099. I'm hoping for less, since I'll be updating when the Airs get refreshed, but I'm not sure they'll be willing to hit the <$1k mark.
Apple doesn't do cheap. Not to mention the 12" model is currently only a rumor, as is the possible retina screen it might come with. If they do release a new 12" laptop (might be called something other than Air) w/ retina screen, then to get the entry price-point ~$1000 the innards will likely be lacking real power.
I think they could make a small fortune by bringing back a new 12" 'iBook' or even 'Macbook' w/ retina screen and some low power/longer battery i3 type processor along with a cheaper fusion storage (w/ a smaller SSD to lower costs and the larger HD will appeal to many ordinary users who want the benefits of increased speed but require more storage for music, movies, etc on their machine). If the price-point was between $800-$900 it would be quite appealing to many regular consumers who don't require the power of the Air or rMBP but want a high build quality, retina screen, more built-in storage, and the ability to run OSX.
I think they could make a small fortune by bringing back a new 12" 'iBook' or even 'Macbook' w/ retina screen and some low power/longer battery i3 type processor along with a cheaper fusion storage (w/ a smaller SSD to lower costs and the larger HD will appeal to many ordinary users who want the benefits of increased speed but require more storage for music, movies, etc on their machine). If the price-point was between $800-$900 it would be quite appealing to many regular consumers who don't require the power of the Air or rMBP but want a high build quality, retina screen, more built-in storage, and the ability to run OSX.
I can see this coming in at around the $1099 mark. I'm from the UK so that's £949 for me.
It would be nice to think they would try and match the entry price for the 11" Airs at $999/£849, but that doesn't seem like it would be enough for the rMBA's first outing. I can't see them going any higher either, because it'll start moving into rMBP territory. There's already only £150 difference in the price of a base 13" Air and the base 13" Pro in the UK. Closing that gap anymore doesn't make sense.
It would be nice to think they would try and match the entry price for the 11" Airs at $999/£849, but that doesn't seem like it would be enough for the rMBA's first outing. I can't see them going any higher either, because it'll start moving into rMBP territory. There's already only £150 difference in the price of a base 13" Air and the base 13" Pro in the UK. Closing that gap anymore doesn't make sense.
I would be very surprised if Apple suddenly dropped the 11" and 13" MBAs when it releases the new 12" MBA. The rumors I've read about the upcoming 12" MBA have hinted that there might be a new type of trackpad and a thinner and lighter package (in addition to the retina screen). These are premium features and should command a higher price.
Thus, I think, at least initially, the 11" and 13" MBAs will remain around (with a discount price) letting the fancy new MBA be unique (and coveted)..
Thus, I think, at least initially, the 11" and 13" MBAs will remain around (with a discount price) letting the fancy new MBA be unique (and coveted)..
I agree. The mbas are pretty popular. If a retina 12" does come, it could be priced between the two or more than the 13". Hopefully, Apple doesn't gimp it so that it's a hard choice between it and the other airs.
My prediction is the 11" and 13" will either be reduced in price to offer a cheaper Mac to buy, or, they would get discontinued and only the retina will be available.
Apple isn't going to keep three different macbook airs at similar prices. Something has to go.
Apple isn't going to keep three different macbook airs at similar prices. Something has to go.
My guess is that they are aiming for an ASP of $1000. Remember that not everyone pays the full retail price.
If the retail price is $1099, then student discount is likely $999, and bulk buyer / corporate discount is probably $950 or so. In order to maintain a $1000 ASP, the retail would need to be at least $1099.
If the retail price is $1099, then student discount is likely $999, and bulk buyer / corporate discount is probably $950 or so. In order to maintain a $1000 ASP, the retail would need to be at least $1099.
If they stop selling the 11" and 13" versions, has mentioned, the Air has to be cheaper than the Pro. That's the whole point.
Since they will sell more of the same model, upgrade design, the big screens with retina are already being used since 2012... it will be the same price as the 11" or 100$ cheaper.
Since they will sell more of the same model, upgrade design, the big screens with retina are already being used since 2012... it will be the same price as the 11" or 100$ cheaper.
Fully agree. Just like their sales strategy for current iPads, previous iPhones (before the c, which technically is just the older 5 recast as something new and colorful), and even the cMBP. Add in the newest, most exciting technology at a premium price point, and discount existing models to continue selling older stock and incentivize moving up.
It won't.
It will initially use a Haswell chip as the Broadwell chips do not look like they will be available in serious volume until late 2014 at the earliest. Widespread availability may not be until 2015.
But you need to remember that the 'whole point' of the original MBA was NOT about price (they were more expensive than the MBP). It was about squeezing the most advanced technology into a thin and light package. Only in recent years has it become the entry (cheap) model, replacing the MacBook as the lowest priced Apple laptop.
The new12" MBA could be especially thin and light and become more expensive because some people are willing to pay extra for it.
----------
The entry level MBA will definitely not come with 8G of RAM. If you are hoping for that you are dreaming.
- - - -
if Apple do indeed introduce a 12" Air, then they will for sure drop the 11" and 13" to save muddying the waters.
it will most likely - but not for sure - have the new A8 processor which, when married to the latest RAM and Flash Drive, will absolutely fly.
MBPro will come in 13" and 15" retina models
keep it simple, keep it sweet
- - - -
if Apple do indeed introduce a 12" Air, then they will for sure drop the 11" and 13" to save muddying the waters.
it will most likely - but not for sure - have the new A8 processor which, when married to the latest RAM and Flash Drive, will absolutely fly.
MBPro will come in 13" and 15" retina models
keep it simple, keep it sweet
Replacing both the 11" and 13" MBA with a 12" ARM based MBA is 'muddying the waters'.
Introducing a new 12" retina display MBA that features an ultra low power Intel chip is a home run.
agree in part.
Apple's main beef with Intel appears to be that the processor used in the Airs is too power hungry - hence my observation.
you are probably right, though time will tell
this article bears some very interesting food for thought going forward
http://appleinsider.com/articles/14...ife-speed-in-apples-future-iphones-ipads-macs
Last edited:
This makes sense to me. The 12" can easily replace the 11 and 13. If it's retina.... Then that'll be the MBA to end all MBAs!
$999 for entry level. One MBA model, slightly redesigned to accommodate the new screen size of 12" while dropping the 11" and 13" models. I agree with others that this model will keep its 4GB RAM and 128GB SSD. This will be the "bait" model. The 8GB/256GB combo will most likely be $1199
Apple's profit margins on MBA's are quite high already so Apple can definitely do this. It will not be an ARM processor yet because performance is just not there right now. The ARM desktop class processors that Apple is coming up with is for their iOS devices which will soon catch up in performance to the ultrabooks. It will be interesting to see if Apple decides to go with an iPad/MBA hybrid design or just keep making the iPad more and more powerful sans physical keyboard.
Apple's profit margins on MBA's are quite high already so Apple can definitely do this. It will not be an ARM processor yet because performance is just not there right now. The ARM desktop class processors that Apple is coming up with is for their iOS devices which will soon catch up in performance to the ultrabooks. It will be interesting to see if Apple decides to go with an iPad/MBA hybrid design or just keep making the iPad more and more powerful sans physical keyboard.