It looks like Apple may be gearing up to enter the budget laptop game in order to appeal to folks who want a MacBook but can’t afford the premium prices. According to a new report from DigiTimes, Apple is supposedly developing a more affordable MacBook line to compete with popular, low-cost Chromebooks in the education market.
The report says this budget MacBook series will be differentiated from the existing MacBook Air and Pro models. The laptops may have metal casings made of “different materials” and use cheaper components to keep costs down.
This move seems driven by current market trends and competition. Chromebooks have exploded in popularity among students, with shipments jumping from 13.9 million units in 2019 to 33.5 million in 2021, per DigiTimes Research. Their low prices and suitability for schoolwork have made Chromebooks a hit, especially during and after the pandemic.
Supposedly these new affordable Apple laptops will debut in the second half of 2024, so we’ve still got a long wait ahead. If true, Apple could announce them at WWDC 2024 next June, but nothing’s confirmed yet. The launch timeline could easily change between now and then too.
This is the first rumor we’ve heard about such a product, so take it with a grain of salt for now until more sources back it up. Don’t get too attached to the idea just yet okay!
Meanwhile, Apple’s next big event is coming up on September 12th for the iPhone 15 lineup launch. Leaks suggest the 15 Pro models will see a major price jump, while the standard and Plus iPhones will cost the same as the iPhone 14 series. But again, nothing’s finalized until Apple makes it official in a few days! We’ll have to hang tight for confirmation.