There was hypothesis of late of Apple contemplating the launch of a “low price” MacBook of some type, and a leaker as we speak means that it might take the type of a 12-inch MacBook – as effectively a 13-inch one particularly geared to the training market.

There have been comparable recommendations from different sources, although all have been imprecise, and all the sources have fairly variable information …

Low-cost MacBook experiences

Digitimes kicked issues off final month, with what seemed like a extremely sketchy report that Apple was planning a brand new MacBook priced under the MacBook Air, and that the corporate was searching for to compete with Chromebooks within the training sector.

Sources mentioned Apple will seemingly launch a brand new product line for its low-cost MacBooks to distinguish it from the present MacBook Air and Professional traces. The outer look will nonetheless use a steel casing however made of various supplies. The unit value of the mechanical elements shall be decrease, permitting for a extra reasonably priced value aimed on the training market, just like the positioning of Chromebooks.

We expressed skepticism on the time, on quite a few grounds:

• Typical Chromebook pricing is method under a degree to curiosity Apple
• Apple’s current training efforts have targeted on the iPad
• The cannibalization danger could be big – from each the MacBook Air and iPad

I famous that there are premium Chromebooks at costs a lot nearer to that of the MacBook Air, so possibly Apple may go up in opposition to these, but it surely’s actually not going to make an ultra-cheap MacBook.

Ming-Chi Kuo this week added some assist to the concept of a lower-cost MacBook, but it surely was even vaguer.

Apple might also think about (however hasn’t determined but) introducing a extra reasonably priced MacBook mannequin to spice up shipments, with a goal of 8-10+ million models per yr.

12-inch MacBook, and 13-inch training mannequin

The newest report is from Korean blogger yeux1122, who will get a little extra particular, in claiming that Apple has two merchandise in improvement.

In my provide chain supply March 18 July 23 September 23 I’ve constantly talked about the contents of the low-cost mannequin.

What’s at present below improvement: 12 inch base and academic 13-inch is being captured and has the next launch on the true market than ever.

(At the moment, iPad and MacBook gross sales are displaying the worst numbers lately)

9to5Mac’s Take

All three sources have very blended observe information.

Digitimes has at all times been very hit-and-miss, and extra miss than hit.

Kuo was as soon as probably the most dependable Apple analyst round, with rock-solid provide chain sources, however now posts an excessive amount of mere hypothesis. I believe his change of employment implies that he not will get to spend a lot time on the bottom in China speaking with Apple suppliers.

Whereas yeux1122 talks about “provide chain sources,” it’s uncertain that they’ve any: nearly all the things posted from the account relies on what they’ve learn on Weibo and different Chinese language social media. The latest declare we’ve had the chance to take a look at was that the iPhone 15 Professional fashions would begin at 256GB as an alternative of 128GB (true) and max out at 2TB as an alternative of 1TB (false).

Is Apple contemplating a lower-cost MacBook? Certain: the corporate considers all kinds of issues, on a regular basis, and a few of it will get so far as prototypes. I’ve no drawback believing that Apple has some MacBook prototypes knocking round its labs, created from cheaper supplies, simply to see what is feasible – although I’d count on one thing across the $800 to $900 vary as absolutely the lowest the corporate would go.

However with not one of the three sources up to now having nice observe information, that is all extremely speculative.

On a private be aware, I at all times thought the 12-inch MacBook was super-cute, and I desperately tried to provide you with a justification to purchase one, with out success. Perhaps I’d have extra luck with a less expensive mannequin, so I’d love for the report back to be true – however wishing received’t make it so.