Apple's answer to Chromebooks? Rumors point to low-cost MacBooks for 2024

[midian182]

Rumor mill: Low-cost products are something you don't usually associate with Apple. However, according to a new rumor, the Cupertino company could release a new line of comparatively cheap MacBooks next year that can compete against Chromebooks in the education sector.

The rumor – emphasis on that word – comes from Taiwanese publication DigiTimes, which cites industry sources. It writes that the low-cost MacBooks could be released as early as the second half of 2024.

The new MacBook product line will reportedly have a similar-looking metal outer casing as the Air and Pro laptops, but it will be made of different (I.e., cheaper) materials – current MacBooks use aluminum alloy - and the cost of the mechanical components will be lower. DigiTimes doesn't reveal any potential specs or price points of the new MacBook series.

The launch date of H2 2024 is based on the current lack of related activity at major Apple suppliers such as Foxconn and Quanta Computer, meaning a launch in the first half of next year is unlikely to happen.

As with many things, the pandemic boosted sales of Chromebooks, from just 13.9 million units in 2019 to 30.4 million in 2020 and 33.5 million in 2021. Sales have slowed since then, but they're still very popular among students and within education facilities.

It's possible that Apple could use its older silicon, such as the M1 SoC, in these education-focused MacBooks to keep the costs down. But it's still hard to imagine them being able to compete with Chromebooks on price alone, given what Apple's definition of low-cost might be. The majority of Chromebooks sell for between $200 and $300, whereas Apple's cheapest tablet, the base iPad, starts at $329, and that doesn't even come with a keyboard as standard. The cheapest MacBook on Apple's website, the MacBook Air 13 with the M1 chip, is $999.

If - and it's a big if - this rumor is true, Apple will no doubt position its new MacBooks as a superior alternative to Chromebooks to try and justify any extra expense.

If you're in the market for a Chromebook, make sure to check out our 'Best Of' feature.

Image credit: Hello by Taan Huyn

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https://www.techspot.com/news/100046-apple-answer-chromebooks-rumors-point-low-cost-macbooks.html

 

[toooooot]

4gb ram, 250gb ssd, and 150 nits bright tn display?

 

[Bobbydpue]

4gb ram, 250gb ssd, and 150 nits bright tn display?

This sounds like a possibility. Apple doesn't really know what "low cost" is and they might sell a lower priced laptop that's so low spec it's only good for web browsing while charging $100 less than their previously cheapest laptop to get people who don't know anything about computers to buy it. I'm thinking it could be similar to the previous version of the Mac Pro that came with an 8 core CPU, 256GB SSD, and a $200 graphics card for over $5000. Defective SOC cut down to be usable, 4GB RAM, 256GB SSD and a 150 nits TN panel, lower spec keyboard and speakers on a $899 laptop.

 

[hwertz]

Well, I don't know who buys them (given ChromeOS apps aren't really designed to give the GPU a workout, use larger amounts of RAM or larger amounts of local storage) but they do make Chromebooks that are like $700-800 and even a few over $1000. I kind of expect Apple to make a super-plasticy what should be a $200-300 machine, charge like $699 or $799 for it and brag about how they have a machine at Chromebook prices.

If they do come out with something at truly Chromebook prices, I'll be pleased and consider picking one up... I'm not an Apple fan, at all, but would love an M1 system so when I want to ship out some of my Python apps for MacOS I can test on an M1 system (since the security is different enough you can have an app that works on Intel macOS but trips up on ARM macOS.)