Apple to Sell Low-Cost 12-Inch and 13-inch MacBooks for $700 or Less

[Lioness~]

256 is plenty for me. As a secondary device.

MBA is 2nd device here too, and 256GB storage is definitely enough, with iCloud as well.

 

[arkoinad]

Are you in elementary or middle school, or buying for someone who is?

If not, this ain’t for you.

I understand I am not the target audience but I would really like a 12 inch macbook

 

[digbill]

The netbook role has not been filled by Apple since the 11” MacBook Air. I miss having mine to drag around everywhere I go. An 11” sized model (which now could have a bigger screen because of bezel) with 256gb or 500gb ssd, 8/16GB ram, 2x usb c, SD card slot would be perfect for my needs as a computer to type on, copy footage, and take everywhere I don’t want to take my 16” MBP. Could even be plastic again if it had to be. I treated my 13” black MacBook well enough, but the 11” air was pretty darn rugged. Please release this in black. Back in 2013-2016 I had the 11” Air and the 15” Pro and that was a strong combo. I have no want or need for an iPad.

 

[luigismalucelli]

All the more reason the rumors of a low cost Macbook under $700 will be huge. That Macbook will do numbers.

And now seeing this Mac’s are not selling well at all, this rumor might make more sense.

 

[psxp]

Won’t happen. Apple is about perceived luxury goods at a markedly higher price point

 

[Steve Ballmer]

Never seen so many confusions in an Apple line up.

So you clearly weren't a customer during the 90s then. The Spindler era had Performas in about 15-16 different configurations, often only varying by a single part and/or based on which retail stores got to sell them.

 

[Steve Ballmer]

Apple is about perceived luxury goods at a markedly higher price point

Then why did they ever bother with the Macintosh LC, the iPod shuffle and the iPod mini? Steve Jobs even specifically said the mini was released to go after the low-end flash player market.

 

[Steve Ballmer]

Apple is supposed to maintain the quality and standard of what a computer should be.

You sound very elitist here. If a cheap computer sells well and it meets the needs of the people who are buying it, then it's exactly what a computer should be. A computer is a tool. Apple even attempted to get into the clone market in the 90s because they wanted to increase their market share, a stated goal of the original Macintosh team. (Instead the 80s Apple management went for profits over market share).

 

[DavidSchaub]

So you clearly weren't a customer during the 90s then. The Spindler era had Performas in about 15-16 different configurations, often only varying by a single part and/or based on which retail stores got to sell them.

Did Apple have too many product lines? Probably...

but really, the Performa line variations are just what we would do in BTO online stores now. Apple just shipped all the BTO options as separate product names... that's the only real difference.

 

[Steve Ballmer]

Did Apple have too many product lines? Probably...

but really, the Performa line variations are just what we would do in BTO online stores now. Apple just shipped all the BTO options as separate product names... that's the only real difference.

The game they were running was various models went out to different retailers. Walmart would get one, Circuit City would get another, and so on. That way each retailer could claim they had the fastest model, which was true but misleading. And yes, I agree if the Performa existed today, it would be a bit more trim because you can do BTOs, but the point is that Apple has had far more confusing product lines than they do today.

Offhand, which of these is the model to get?

• Performa 112CD
• Performa 113CD
• Performa 114CD
• Performa 115CD
• Performa 116CD
• Performa 117CD
• Performa 118CD

The correct answer is

Spoiler

116CD

, which was released about a year after the others and had better specs.