Apple considers two lower-cost MacBook education models

As rumors of a low-cost MacBook continue to circulate, one leaker claims that Apple is actually contemplating releasing two new models.

As long as MacBooks are more expensive than PC laptops, and as long as Chromebooks are beating Apple in education, there will be rumors of a lower-cost offering being in the works. Most recently, however, the rumors have been growing, with analyst Ming-Chi Kuo saying a lower-cost MacBook is under consideration at Apple.

That and other similar rumors have stressed that Apple has not committed to the plans yet. But now a new rumor says that the company is evaluating ideas for not one but two lower-cost MacBooks.

This rumor comes via leaker yeux1122, who does not have an extensive track record for Apple news. The leaker has also previously concentrated more on iPhone rumors.

Leaker yeux1122 is also here reposting claims from another source, a further leaker named Lanzk. According to Lanzk, Apple is currently developing what is described as a "12-inch base and Educational 13-inch" model.

The rumor claims to follow consistent supply chain reports over the last months. And it also notes that the claims come as Mac sales have declined sharply.

There is no more detail in this new rumor. However, previously Digitimes has reported supply chain sources saying the earliest such a low-cost model could be released is in the second half of 2024.

7 Comments

danox 3395 comments · 11 Years

About 1 year ago

No need listen to Fibi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ7flQhzvnQ. Fibi

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/yO9lWrke9oE GoodNotes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdXX5Me2m6A. Molina

marcusj0015 177 comments · 12 Years

Good, kids don’t need webcams or huge storage/ram.

and with Apple’s vertical integration they can turn a profit at lower prices than anyone else.

Marvin 15336 comments · 18 Years

marcusj0015 said:

Good, kids don’t need webcams or huge storage/ram.

and with Apple’s vertical integration they can turn a profit at lower prices than anyone else.

They sell the 10.2" iPad at a profit for $329:

https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_(2021)-11106.php

A13, 3GB RAM, 64GB. They sell a keyboard for it for $249:

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MQDP3LL/A/magic-keyboard-folio-for-ipad-10th-generation-us-english

If they bring the RAM up to 8GB, storage up to 128GB for $100, that's $329 + $249 + $100 = $678. They can build a 12"/13" Macbook with similar spec for $699.

They still have to compete with $200 Chromebooks but they are better for media and software development.

https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Newest-Flagship-Chromebook-HubxcelAccesory/dp/B0CBJ46QZX

tht 5594 comments · 23 Years

Marvin said:

marcusj0015 said:

Good, kids don’t need webcams or huge storage/ram.

and with Apple’s vertical integration they can turn a profit at lower prices than anyone else.

They sell the 10.2" iPad at a profit for $329:

https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_10_2_(2021)-11106.php

A13, 3GB RAM, 64GB. They sell a keyboard for it for $249:

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MQDP3LL/A/magic-keyboard-folio-for-ipad-10th-generation-us-english

If they bring the RAM up to 8GB, storage up to 128GB for $100, that's $329 + $249 + $100 = $678. They can build a 12"/13" Macbook with similar spec for $699.

They still have to compete with $200 Chromebooks but they are better for media and software development.

https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Newest-Flagship-Chromebook-HubxcelAccesory/dp/B0CBJ46QZX

The 9th gen iPad is not compatible with the Magic Keyboard Folio for the 10th gen iPad. You can get the Smart Keyboard for $180 though. $70 less. So, $600 in your accounting. ;)

The iPad Air, M1 w/8 GB RAM and 64 GB storage, is offered at $600. Apple can probably sell a Macbook 13" for $700 if it was A15, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB storage, and possibly a 220 PPI display. This would simply be a consumer machine, not a "Chromebook" competitor as you say. A laptop for high schoolers, maybe junior high.

It is worth repeating that the vector of competition in the K-12 market is not the hardware. The customer isn't the student or the teacher. The customer is the IT department or possibly the school board, whoever signs the checks. The product is curriculum and device management, and the vast majority of time, at the cheapest possible price.

Apple can partner with edu content publishers for web-based curriculums, which inevitably will be a combination of browser based homework and Office365 or Google's version. These browser based products are designed for 800x600 displays with mouse and keyboard, at least that's what I see with my kids homework, which already tells you even the $330 iPad is over-serving the content in the market.

Apple would have to swallow the bitter pill of shipping 110 ppi displays again. Hmm, maybe Apple could develop one app that does everything? The one stop shop for everything school related. Has to be web based with nothing stored locally. Machine learning based grading? Then, ship an A15 based laptop with cellular for $400?

bkkcanuck 864 comments · 9 Years

I was expecting Apple to come out with a low cost (aka educational) device since they first announced the move to Apple Silicon... (similar to the way they did it with iPhones - different tiers for older devices - where the cost of making it drops over time).