My Wish: Sub-$800 Apple Laptop

[AtHomeBoy_2000]

I wanted to get your thoughts on this.
I understand Apple's demand for superior hardware, but do you think it might benifit Apple to offer a cheap stripped down laptop? Personally, i would love a cheap laptop to take on vacation (for hotel Wi-Fi internet access), on the go document typing, and the ability to watch DVDs. Dell's Inspiron B120 is $599 ($499 with rebate), has an Intel® Celeron® M 360 (1.40 GHz/1MB Cache/400MHz FSB), 512MB RAM, 40GB HD, 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive, and built in wireless.
Why can't offer at least offer something similar? There IS a market for this and it would be a nice way to gain some market share.

 

[weg]

I wanted to get your thoughts on this.
I understand Apple's demand for superior hardware, but do you think it might benifit Apple to offer a cheap stripped down laptop? Personally, i would love a cheap laptop to take on vacation (for hotel Wi-Fi internet access), on the go document typing, and the ability to watch DVDs. Dell's Inspiron B120 is $599 ($499 with rebate), has an Intel® Celeron® M 360 (1.40 GHz/1MB Cache/400MHz FSB), 512MB RAM, 40GB HD, 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive, and built in wireless.
Why can't offer at least offer something similar? There IS a market for this and it would be a nice way to gain some market share.

Hmm.. ist the $999 iBook so bad? I guess you could also buy a refurbished iBook for $800... there's really no point in offering low-cost Apple notebooks.

 

[mark!]

I wanted to get your thoughts on this.
I understand Apple's demand for superior hardware, but do you think it might benifit Apple to offer a cheap stripped down laptop? Personally, i would love a cheap laptop to take on vacation (for hotel Wi-Fi internet access), on the go document typing, and the ability to watch DVDs. Dell's Inspiron B120 is $599 ($499 with rebate), has an Intel® Celeron® M 360 (1.40 GHz/1MB Cache/400MHz FSB), 512MB RAM, 40GB HD, 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive, and built in wireless.
Why can't offer at least offer something similar? There IS a market for this and it would be a nice way to gain some market share.

True dat, they should make on of those, one with a core solo, and a core duo & have three, but make it all of the same family for 699,799, and 999. That'd be REALLY cool. Maybe one thats like...1,300 that has isight and something else in it.

 

[Maxwell Smart]

I'd also like to see a $800 apple notebook, but I would want at least a pentium M/Core solo in it

 

[Eidorian]

I'm expecting to see another Colo Solo/Duo split in this iBook line. It's just a Mac Mini with an LCD and battery.

 

[AtHomeBoy_2000]

I'd also like to see a $800 apple notebook, but I would want at least a pentium M/Core solo in it

Yea, but i doubt that price point would be possible with a Core Solo. Honestly, I dont ae to much about WHICH processor is it as long as it is from within the past 3 years or so. Something cheap, but able to run OS X and iWork/iLife. (yes i know performance wouldt be geat for video editing, but iPhoto and iTunes would work just fine)

 

[BlizzardBomb]

I'm expecting to see another Colo Solo/Duo split in this iBook line. It's just a Mac Mini with an LCD and battery.

Exactly. I think the MacBook 13" will start at $999 for the Solo, and $1199 for the Duo (pretty much the same price points as today's iBook but with new Mini's specs).

 

[Eidorian]

Exactly. I think the MacBook 13" will start at $999 for the Solo, and $1199 for the Duo (pretty much the same price points as today's iBook but with new Mini's specs).

Eh, I'd call it the iBook HD. Give it a 1280 x 800 (Or even 720) and tout how it can play HD content.

 

[zap2]

True dat, they should make on of those, one with a core solo, and a core duo & have three, but make it all of the same family for 699,799, and 999. That'd be REALLY cool. Maybe one thats like...1,300 that has isight and something else in it.

Your not getting a Solo Core in a Laptop for 699, thats only 100 more then a Mini, and your getting an LCD, KeyBoard and Mouse

 

[mdavey]

Yea, but i doubt that [$800] price point would be possible with a Core Solo.

Perhaps not right now, but $899 is achieveable today. Take a $599 Mac mini, add keyboard, trackpad, battery and display. $899 would allow Apple to keep a similar profit margin overall and when the Mac mini dips below $500 again, the entry-level laptop can retain its $300 price difference at $799.

 

[MRU]

Exactly. I think the MacBook 13" will start at $999 for the Solo, and $1199 for the Duo (pretty much the same price points as today's iBook but with new Mini's specs).

But remember with the macbook they are covering the $999 ibook - $1499 powerbook price ranges.

All intel models have been slightly more expensive.

Expect the lower end model to be $1199 with solo & combo drive, and the duo core version with duo & superdrive to match the current $1499 12"powerbook price at least...

 

[BlizzardBomb]

But remember with the macbook they are covering the $999 ibook - $1499 powerbook price ranges.

All intel models have been slightly more expensive.

Expect the lower end model to be $1199 with solo & combo drive, and the duo core version with duo & superdrive to match the current $1499 12"powerbook price at least...

That's a good point, but I hope Apple don't go down that road. They should stick to the same pricing even though the "Core" range is about 1,000,000x more expensive than a G4. It won't be good for Education customers if their range doesn't have a sub-$1,000 laptop. If they do dig into the price point of the 12" PB then they should at least put an Mobility X1300 in there (but then Mac Mini users will complain).

 

[MRU]

That's a good point, but I hope Apple don't go down that road. They should stick to the same pricing even though the "Core" range is about 1,000,000x more expensive than a G4. It won't be good for Education customers if their range doesn't have a sub-$1,000 laptop. If they do dig into the price point of the 12" PB then they should at least put an Mobility X1300 in there (but then Mac Mini users will complain).

If the top end version has only GMA950 I'll be really peeved, though they'll probably get away with it by offering a gpu upgrade and making more money.

Out of interest... The ATI x1300 OEM retails at $22 for 64mb and $34 for 128mb version.. If apple were to offer either of these upgrades expect to pay at least double.

I'm definetly prepared for price increase, let's just hope it's as minimal as possible, but they may keep the $999 model and cripple it by making sure it has GMA950, 40gb HD & Combo only...


Top end model has to compare well with the 12" powerbook so definetly Core Duo, 80gb HD, Superdrive and X1300 64mb/128 or GMA950 with the option to upgrade.

 

[mdavey]

Expect the lower end model to be $1199 with solo & combo drive, and the duo core version with duo & superdrive to match the current $1499 12"powerbook price at least...

More likely we'll see four 13" models:

* MacBook $1099 Solo 1.5GHz 512MB
* MacBook $1299 Duo 1.66GHz 512MB
* MacBook Pro $1599 Duo 1.66GHz 1GB
* MacBook Pro $1799 Duo 1.83GHz 1GB

The price difference between the first two is the same as the price difference between the two Mac minis. The first is $100 more than the current 12" iBook and the third is $100 more than the current 12" PowerBook. The graphics card and case will be the differentiators between MacBook and MacBook Pro.

That still conceivably leaves room for a 10" Solo 1.5GHz 512MB Laptop at $899. I would also expect a $100 price drop on all five in Q3, possibly with the introduction of a MacBook Pro Duo 2GHz.

 

[MRU]

More likely we'll see four 13" models:

* MacBook $1099 Solo 1.5GHz 512MB
* MacBook $1299 Duo 1.66GHz 512MB
* MacBook Pro $1599 Duo 1.66GHz 1GB
* MacBook Pro $1799 Duo 1.83GHz 1GB

Nah, they are amalgamating machines, BUT 4 is too much variant. Every other intel machine has 2 variants. That will remain. Just the choice of upgrades BTO options will differentiate...

 

[unixfool]

More likely we'll see four 13" models:

* MacBook $1099 Solo 1.5GHz 512MB
* MacBook $1299 Duo 1.66GHz 512MB
* MacBook Pro $1599 Duo 1.66GHz 1GB
* MacBook Pro $1799 Duo 1.83GHz 1GB

The price different between the first two is the same as the price difference between the two Mac minis. The first is $100 more than the current 12" iBook and the third is $100 more than the current 12" PowerBook. The grpahics card and case will be the differentiators.

That still conceivably leaves room for a 10" Solo 1.5GHz 512MB Laptop at $899.

This week, a coworker demo'd his MBP 1.83 for me. I positively love the damn thing and will hopefully own one soon. He did tell me to wait until the iBook replacements are released to make a better purchasing decision on what to purchase.

I don't think I'll wait for the Memron versions, as I don't want to get caught in trying to own the very latest/greatest tech equipment. Based on what i've seen and read so far, the current MBP will fulfill my needs greatly.

In the meantime, the wife did suggest getting a Mac Mini or iMac while I'm waiting to decide if I want the MBP or new iBook. If I do purchase an interim Mac, whether its a Mini or iMac, I may as well hold out for the Memron laptops. Decisions, decisions...

 

[BlizzardBomb]

If the top end version has only GMA950 I'll be really peeved, though they'll probably get away with it by offering a gpu upgrade and making more money.

Out of interest... The ATI x1300 OEM retails at $22 for 64mb and $34 for 128mb version.. If apple were to offer either of these upgrades expect to pay at least double.

I just think we're all going to shudder when the MacBook comes with a GMA 950 on all models. Personally, I think it was a mistake of Apple to put Integrated Graphics in any Mac in the first place. And as you've pointed out, at only $22, the X1300 is the perfect candidate.

I think its going to be:

MacBook 13.3" ($999) - 1280x800* resolution, Core Solo 1.5Ghz, GMA 950
MacBook 13.3" ($1199) - 1280x800* resolution, Core Duo 1.66Ghz, GMA 950

*Apple will stick to 16:10 aspect.

 

[mdavey]

Nah, they are amalgamating machines, BUT 4 is too much variant.

I thought this, too, but there is just too much range in those prices.

I've gone round in a circle on this. Let me put it a different way:

* 13" MacBook $1099 - Solo 1.5GHz 512MB GMA950 graphics (Duo 1.66GHz £200 BTO option)
* 13" MacBook Pro $1599 - Duo 1.66GHz X1600 graphics (Duo 1.83GHz $200 BTO option)

 

[BlizzardBomb]

In the meantime, the wife did suggest getting a Mac Mini or iMac while I'm waiting to decide if I want the MBP or new iBook. If I do purchase an interim Mac, whether its a Mini or iMac, I may as well hold out for the Memron laptops. Decisions, decisions...

Well you got 6 months+ to wait for Merom, but if you do choose to wait, you won't regret it. It depends on what you do, what you have at the moment and how long you plan on using your Mac for

I thought this, too, but there is just too much range in those prices.

I've gone round in a circle on this. Let me put it a different way:

* MacBook $1099 Solo 1.5GHz 512MB ($200 Duo 1.66GHz BTO option)

Thumbs up from me. It will be the same as the current price points give or take $100.

 

[mcmillan]

How much cheaper can they get it? An iBook is a Mac Mini witha a screen and a keyboard. You can try getting a OLPC on eBay

 

[MRU]

I thought this, too, but there is just too much range in those prices.

I've gone round in a circle on this. Let me put it a different way:

* 13" MacBook $1099 - Solo 1.5GHz 512MB GMA950 graphics (Duo 1.66GHz £200 BTO option)
* 13" MacBook Pro $1599 - Duo 1.66GHz X1600 graphics (Duo 1.83GHz $200 BTO option)

Agreed - those specs and price point would be sweet and what I expect...
Just hope they make an announcement sooner rather than later........

 

[Morn]

Maybe next year this could be done when price of core solo comes down enough to make it affordable to apple. But I do think it would benefit them, there is a large market for low cost laptops. And price is always a discouragement to switchers.

 

[technicolor]

I like that Macs arent cheap. I guess I am a snob in that right, but it keeps the rift raft out.

 

[MRU]

I like that Macs arent cheap. I guess I am a snob in that right, but it keeps the rift raft out.

Price has becomre more competative though.

For €2000 I can get a macbookpro 15" 1.83
For €1700 I can get a Dell 6400. 15" 1.83

Not that huge a price difference and the dell had integrated GM950 graphics.

I remember a time when apple's were almost double the cost.

Also if they do get the lovely macbook duo 1.66 out for the €1499 (powerbook 12" price range) with 80gb HD, Superdrive.. That would be extrememly good value as Dell & Sony charge more for their smaller ultra portables..

 

[tomw]

Personally i think the specs will be:

MacBook 13.3", 1.5 Coro Solo, 60 GB, 512 Ram, Combo Drive, GMA 950 (£50 for a ATI x1300 upgrade) :£799

Macbook 13.3", 1.66 Core Duo, 80 GB, 512 Ram, Superdrive, GMA 950 (£50 for a ATI x1300 upgrade) :£999