Apple’s current MacBook Air starts at $1,000, but it would appear that Apple may be considering introducing a cheaper model which will have a starting price of around $800 according to a recent report.
The news comes from DigiTimes, who have said that the information comes from the upstream supply chain, and Apple are looking to release a cheaper MacBook Air to combat Intel releasing sub $1,000 ultrabooks.
Although Acer has recently reduced its ultrabook shipment target, Intel continues to aggressively push ultrabooks and is aiming to have the devices priced at US$699 in the second half of the year. However, if Intel is unable to bring down ASPs to its goal, the price gap between ultrabooks and the US$799 MacBook Air may further postpone the time ultrabooks become standardized, the sources noted.
Potential Impact on the Market
If Apple does indeed release a MacBook Air at the $799 price point, it could significantly impact the laptop market. Currently, the MacBook Air is known for its sleek design, lightweight build, and robust performance. Introducing a more affordable model could make it accessible to a broader audience, including students and budget-conscious consumers who have previously found the MacBook Air to be out of their price range.
This move could also put pressure on other laptop manufacturers to lower their prices or improve their offerings to stay competitive. For instance, companies like Dell, HP, and Lenovo might need to rethink their pricing strategies for their ultrabooks and other lightweight laptops. The competition could lead to better deals and more options for consumers, which is always a positive outcome.
Speculation on Specifications
Of course, this is just a rumor at the moment. Apple’s 11-inch MacBook Air starts at $999, while their 13-inch model starts at $1,299. If they do release one for $799, it would be interesting to see what the specifications are.
One possibility is that Apple might opt for a slightly less powerful processor or reduce the storage capacity to bring down the cost. For example, the current MacBook Air models come with a minimum of 256GB SSD storage; a cheaper model might start with 128GB. Similarly, the RAM could be reduced from 8GB to 4GB in the base model. Another area where Apple could cut costs is the display. While the current MacBook Air features a Retina display, a cheaper model might use a lower-resolution screen.
However, Apple has a reputation for maintaining a certain level of quality across all its products, so it’s unlikely that they would compromise too much on the core features that make the MacBook Air popular. The new model would still likely feature the same sleek design, excellent build quality, and long battery life that users have come to expect.
Moreover, Apple could also introduce this new model as part of a broader strategy to attract more users to its ecosystem. By offering a more affordable entry point, Apple could potentially increase sales of its other products and services, such as iCloud storage, Apple Music, and the App Store.
In conclusion, while this is still speculative, the introduction of a $799 MacBook Air could be a game-changer in the laptop market. It would make Apple’s popular laptop more accessible to a wider audience and could spur competition among other manufacturers, ultimately benefiting consumers. We’ll have to wait and see if these rumors come to fruition, but the potential impact is certainly exciting to consider.
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