Apple is also said to be planning to introduce a cheaper Mac in an effort to compete with the cheaper laptops in the market.
The new budget friendly MacBook would be ideally placed to make the Apple ecosystem more affordable to students, professionals, and everyday users that are willing to experience their premium but are not able to pay as high a price as the current models.
Such a move is potentially one of the largest strategic changes at the company in recent years putting Apple directly in competition with low end laptops manufactured by other companies such as HP, Dell, and Lenovo.
A Strategic Shift for Apple
Since its inception, Apple has been targeting the high end market, the company has been producing high end laptop models, including MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.
The company, however, appears to be thinking about doing something different with the rising popularity of cheaper Windows laptops and Chromebooks, particularly among schools and students.
Industry analysts said that this new low end MacBook would be cheaper than the MacBook Air.
It may also take a marginal cost cut, more basic features, and possibly lower performance chips to reduce the price and retain the Apple performance and design quality.
This transformation is logical towards the long term objective of the Apple company.
It is the low cost market of laptops that will allow Apple to gain millions of new customers who already use other ecosystems.
When they feel the Apple synergies in the Apple devices such as the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, some of them may subsequently switch to more expensive Apple devices.
Why Apple Needs to Venture into the Low End Laptop Market
The market of PC and laptop distribution has been transformed in the past couple of years globally.
As distance learning develops, most workplaces are now hybrid, and some people are now studying online; therefore, cheap laptops have become part of their lives.
Firms such as HP, Acer, and Lenovo have established a robust standing in the segment and are providing laptops ranging between 300 and 600 dollars.
Apple, with its lowest end product, the MacBook Air, which begins at a significantly more expensive point, has remained mostly out of the same market.
However, in the ever increasing competition and uncertain economic times of the world, even Apple is realizing the potential of achieving price-sensitive consumers.
A low cost MacBook could also enhance its hold in the developing markets like India, Southeast Asia, and some parts of Africa, where people are fond of using economical gadgets.
The Affordable Mac is expected to feature the following features
Although Apple has not officially affirmed anything yet, there is still talk of the low end MacBook possibly having a smaller screen and a less fancy model of the Apple M-series chip maybe an older generation of chip, such as the M1, or a more economical chip of the M-series.
The laptop will have a sleek aluminum casing, a Retina grade screen, and be integrated to run macOS with iCloud, iMessage, and FaceTime.
Nevertheless, it may not be the same as MacBook Pros in terms of features, which include some premium mini LED monitors or impressive graphics additions.
Provided that Apple manages to strike a balance between price, performance, and design, this new product may attract students, freelancers, and common people in communication who are willing to spend without going above their budgets.
The effect of this on the laptop industry
The introduction of Apple in the low cost laptop market has the ability to change the industry in various ways.
This may compel competitors to innovate more on the quality of designs or provide superior specifications at lower costs so as to remain the same.
It may also strain Google Chromebook, which reigns in the schools and other learning institutions.
The powerful ecosystem and brand trust will make Apple reach out to other schools and universities with the new system, especially when Apple has educational offers.
In addition, a low end MacBook has the potential to open new possibilities for software developers and accessory manufacturers to create items that suit the new market niche that Apple has entered.
With Apple considering the typical schedule of its products, the cheap Mac may be revealed in 2025.
The company could make it look like a student friendly device or a Mac to all customers, as they have a pleasing user experience, security, and long battery life.
Although the pricing will not be known, it is expected to be priced between USD 600 and USD 800 thus, it will be the cheapest Apple laptop to date.
Apple is a new initiative by the company to democratize its technology, hence the introduction of the cheap Mac.
Entering the low price laptop segment has the potential of closing the performance/affordability gap that Apple has been facing and provides the user with an opportunity to enjoy the Mac experience without paying the higher cost of the Mac brand.
A well executed move may not only transform the product strategy of Apple but also the mass market of budget laptops as well.
