According to the Digitimes site, which has information sources close to the supply chain, Apple is considering launching a more affordable MacBook to compete with ChromeBooks and other inexpensive Windows laptops, particularly in the computer market. education.
ChromeBooks in the viewfinder
Apple is already targeting this segment with the $500 iPad. However, to get the versatility of a laptop, you have to add some accessories like a keyboard, which increases the bill drastically.
The solution for Apple would be to offer a more affordable MacBook, as the company was able to do with the iPhone SE. For this, it would still use a metal chassis, but probably with a different and, above all, less expensive finish. The rest of the components could also be satisfied with the minimum such as 8 GB of RAM and a 128 GB SSD, all supported by an iCloud account to keep costs to a minimum. The processor would obviously be equipped with the Apple Silicon architecture, the use of an M2 or even an M1 seeming entirely appropriate for this type of computer.
The release of such a model, if it takes place, would take place during the second half of 2024, to coincide with the start of the school year in September 2024; from a logistical point of view, this would make it possible to occupy the MacBook manufacturing lines, which generally experience a low during this period, according to Digitimes.
PC makers better watch out
The price of this possible MacBook SE would therefore be less than €1000, since this is currently the price regularly observed on the MacBook Air M1. The target being ChromeBooks with an average price of $500, we can therefore assume that a range around €800 would be ideal for Apple. PC manufacturers, whose majority of sales are in the segment below €800, risk suffering from this new placement by Apple if it were to materialize.