the budget Macbook will use the M1 form factor, what is the pricing and features?

[supertiffany]

so for the budget Macbook Air

what do you think would be the following?

pricing? (should be logical if they really want to get the chromebook users especially the school with students that are bulk in numbers)

form factor (obviously to cut cost they might use the m1 macbook air form factor)

features (will it be 256gb? single usb c? magnetic charger? 8gb ram?)

will the new macbook mirror the ipad line (macbook=ipad, macbook air=ipad air, macbook pro=ipad pro, so it means there might be a macbook mini just like the ipad mini)

 

[russell_314]

so for the budget Macbook Air

what do you think would be the following?

pricing? (should be logical if they really want to get the chromebook users especially the school with students that are bulk in numbers)

I think it would have to be at least $200 cheaper than the base model MacBook Air.

form factor (obviously to cut cost they might use the m1 macbook air form factor)

No, I don’t think they would reuse the old design. I would hope for a new 12” design.

features (will it be 256gb? single usb c? magnetic charger? 8gb ram?)

256 GB SSD would be more than enough for a computer designed for internet use. They make 16 GB RAM just because of AI.

will the new macbook mirror the ipad line (macbook=ipad, macbook air=ipad air, macbook pro=ipad pro, so it means there might be a macbook mini just like the ipad mini)

That would make sense. I believe they did make plastic “MacBook” back in the day.

 

[ignatius345]

That would make sense. I believe they did make plastic “MacBook” back in the day.

They did, and those cases did not wear in very well around the palm rest. I fortunately had the black polycarbonite MacBook (which was a little more expensive if I'm remembering correctly), but the white ones got really nasty discoloration. And all of them would chip around that top front edge of the case running horizontally below the palmrest.

I would not be opposed to a "plastic" MacBook, but only if it kept the weight really low and didn't wear so poorly as those did.

 

[russell_314]

They did, and those cases did not wear in very well around the palm rest. I fortunately had the black polycarbonite MacBook (which was a little more expensive if I'm remembering correctly), but the white ones got really nasty discoloration. And all of them would chip around that top front edge of the case running horizontally below the palmrest.

I would not be opposed to a "plastic" MacBook, but only if it kept the weight really low and didn't wear so poorly as those did.

Most laptops in the $600 price range are plastic. They manage to make it work. They don’t feel as premium, but they work the same except with a little keyboard flex. This doesn’t mean Apple won’t try to make it “special” and mess it up.


I’m personally not a fan because I can easily afford the $1200 to buy the more expensive model. However I don’t want to be that person that thinks well if you can’t afford it then too bad. If it helps some college student or housewife on a budget that’s a good thing

 

[supertiffany]

I think it would have to be at least $200 cheaper than the base model MacBook Air.


No, I don’t think they would reuse the old design. I would hope for a new 12” design.


256 GB SSD would be more than enough for a computer designed for internet use. They make 16 GB RAM just because of AI.


That would make sense. I believe they did make plastic “MacBook” back in the day.

have they ever done a new design for a budget device?

from iphone se to the base ipad had reuse old design to save in costing

 

[JPack]

Reusing the old M1 form factor is almost a given. Apple isn't likely to redesign the form factor when it's been so successful.

There are several ways to reduce cost of the chassis. E.g. redesigning the internal geometry, replacing internal brackets and fasteners with plastic, eliminating the complex speaker grille design, etc.

8GB RAM makes sense to prevent cannibalizing MBA.

Depending on how aggressive Apple wants to be, it could start at $649 with edu at $589.

 

[russell_314]

have they ever done a new design for a budget device?

from iphone se to the base ipad had reuse old design to save in costing

Reusing the old M1 form factor is almost a given. Apple isn't likely to redesign the form factor when it's been so successful.

I would agree with this if there wasn’t such thing as the M1 form factor. The M1 air was just an 2018 Intel Air with a M1 SOC.

I think those bezels need to be left in 2018. It would look worse than the cheapest Chromebook. Whether you like it or not people buy things based on looks and I don’t think something that outdated looking would sell. I have nostalgia about the old MacBook, but we can’t bring that look back.

I don’t think it would take that much to come up with a new housing design.

 

[Bazza1]

What, you mean the Apple Chromebook?

Efforts to dumb'ify MacOS to the point where it's combined with weaker hardware to essentially only be capable of running iOS or equally hobbled apps. A "Child's First Computer".

 

[JPack]

I would agree with this if there wasn’t such thing as the M1 form factor. The M1 air was just an 2018 Intel Air with a M1 SOC.

I think those bezels need to be left in 2018. It would look worse than the cheapest Chromebook. Whether you like it or not people buy things based on looks and I don’t think something that outdated looking would sell. I have nostalgia about the old MacBook, but we can’t bring that look back.

I don’t think it would take that much to come up with a new housing design.

Not many Chromebooks have a premium unibody chassis like M1 MBA. I would say that's the defining look of an Apple product.

Bezels reduce cost because a notch cut LCD isn't needed. From a marketing standpoint, you also need something to visually distinguish a MBA from a low-cost MB. Look at the iPhone 16e and the notch. I'm sure the cost is negligible, but it lacks the pill cut out and there is no ambiguity it's not an expensive iPhone.

 

[KPOM]

I suspect they will either use the M1 MacBook Air chassis or a modified 12” MacBook chassis. Keep development costs low. They can make the battery a little smaller if they want to cut the weight. 16GB RAM. They want to promote Apple Intelligence eventually. This isn’t a $350 iPad. It’s a $650 MacBook.

 

[flowrider]

Kuo: Apple to release cheaper MacBook powered by iPhone processor - 9to5Mac

Apple’s current entry-level laptop is the $999 MacBook Air, but analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple is aiming to launch an...

9to5mac.com

Apple reportedly working on a cheaper MacBook with iPhone chip — analyst says to expect A18 Pro in a 13-inch laptop

More affordable MacBook could also be silver, blue, pink, or yellow.

www.tomshardware.com

Lou

 

[MultiFinder17]

I would be alright with a reuse of the M1 form factor, but would absolutely be lining up to buy one day one if it were a smaller laptop. A modern take on the 12" form factor would be a delight. I still use my 2016 12" due solely to its form factor being unbeatable for toting around nearly everywhere. As much as I adore this little laptop, I would love to replace it with something that doesn't have the performance of a wet sock.

 

[supertiffany]

I would be alright with a reuse of the M1 form factor, but would absolutely be lining up to buy one day one if it were a smaller laptop. A modern take on the 12" form factor would be a delight. I still use my 2016 12" due solely to its form factor being unbeatable for toting around nearly everywhere. As much as I adore this little laptop, I would love to replace it with something that doesn't have the performance of a wet sock.

or they can reduce the size of the Macbook Air to make it much lighter and more compact

 

[supertiffany]

Not many Chromebooks have a premium unibody chassis like M1 MBA. I would say that's the defining look of an Apple product.

Bezels reduce cost because a notch cut LCD isn't needed. From a marketing standpoint, you also need something to visually distinguish a MBA from a low-cost MB. Look at the iPhone 16e and the notch. I'm sure the cost is negligible, but it lacks the pill cut out and there is no ambiguity it's not an expensive iPhone.

exactly the m1 Macbook Air still looks better than many of the much expensive Windows laptops out there

 

[StoneJack]

Original m1 design WAS NOT 12 inch so it can't be reused per se though some kind of wedge shape can be utilized, of course.
12 inch Macbook is a ready template, but it had premium metal chassis.
This new machine might have plastic cases as most PC notebooks.

 

[rottentooth]

While I fully expect Apple to reuse the M1/intel Air body design, I'd spring on a redesign reminiscent of the '07 macbooks in a heartbeat. Performance be damned I absolutely love the way those things looked.

Definitely agree on pricing - if they want to be competitive with a "mid-range"/education market they need to shoot for $700 or below before discount. I could see them going with 8gb minimum spec with options to bump them up to 16 for the consumer release (if there is one) but any sort of spec bump will probably put it right in the same ballpark price-wise as the MBA. Then again, it's not like the average consumer gets anything beyond the base model most of the time anyway (why do you think they only ever stock the base spec in apple stores?) so I don't think they would need to worry about cannibalizing MBA sales.

 

[JPack]

The ask for 12-inch reminds me of iPhone SE4 predictions. No Android manufacturers offered a 5.4-inch device, so it was no surprise the mini failed so miserably. There was zero chance Apple would reuse the iPhone 12 mini chassis for SE4.

Let's pretend for a second that Kuo didn't already say it'll be 13-inch. Look at the current Chromebook offerings, particularly the best reviewed and best selling ones. They are all 13, 14, 15, and sometimes 16-inch models. There are no 12-inch models.

Why would Apple shoot themselves in the foot by doing 12-inch?

 

[KPOM]

The ask for 12-inch reminds me of iPhone SE4 predictions. No Android manufacturers offered a 5.4-inch device, so it was no surprise the mini failed so miserably. There was zero chance Apple would reuse the iPhone 12 mini chassis for SE4.

Let's pretend for a second that Kuo didn't already say it'll be 13-inch. Look at the current Chromebook offerings, particularly the best reviewed and best selling ones. They are all 13, 14, 15, and sometimes 16-inch models. There are no 12-inch models.

Why would Apple shoot themselves in the foot by doing 12-inch?

I think it’s more about the weight. The 12” MacBook was barely over 2lbs. There are Windows and Chromebook notebooks with 13” screens and weights just above 2lbs. With some modification, Apple could get a 13” screen into a device roughly the size of the 12” MacBook. But since price is the key they likely will use an existing design, either the current M4 design or the M1 design. They could still reduce the weight by making the battery smaller.

 

[supertiffany]

I think it’s more about the weight. The 12” MacBook was barely over 2lbs. There are Windows and Chromebook notebooks with 13” screens and weights just above 2lbs. With some modification, Apple could get a 13” screen into a device roughly the size of the 12” MacBook. But since price is the key they likely will use an existing design, either the current M4 design or the M1 design. They could still reduce the weight by making the battery smaller.

doubt they will use the new Macbook Air design that started with M2 since that will not make the budget/base Macbook be different and of course the M1 Macbook Air will bring the cost into the budget range.

the 12" Macbook form factor they can fit a 13 inch screen there but that might be used as a next design for Macbook Air.

 

[KPOM]

doubt they will use the new Macbook Air design that started with M2 since that will not make the budget/base Macbook be different and of course the M1 Macbook Air will bring the cost into the budget range.

the 12" Macbook form factor they can fit a 13 inch screen there but that might be used as a next design for Macbook Air.

Perhaps. The rumor is the 2026 MacBook Pro will get a slimmer design, perhaps back to 3 lbs like the 2016-2020 models. Maybe the 2027 MacBook Air will get below 2.5 lbs.

 

[Technerd108]

I highly doubt that Apple would ever try to enter the low end market.

There is no reason for them. You can buy new for $1000 a great MBA and older models and used models for around $600 or less with M2 or better.

Why would anyone buy the cheaper device when they can just get an older gen cheaper or get a used device in good condition?

If Apple sales starts to significantly suffer for a while then they would probably just lower prices instead of try to break into the budget market where margins are so thin.

But I remember the Polycarbonate Macs. I had a white laptop with a power PC processor. I loved it at the time and it didn't feel cheap at all since it had little to no flex and the Polycarbonate was a much better quality plastic than Windows laptops were using at that time. All laptops were plastic back then.

I have no problem with plastic. Specially plastics like carbon fiber, kevlar, etc. However I think Aluminum is better for the environment since it can be easily recycled and plastic can't.

 

[supertiffany]

I highly doubt that Apple would ever try to enter the low end market.

There is no reason for them. You can buy new for $1000 a great MBA and older models and used models for around $600 or less with M2 or better.

Why would anyone buy the cheaper device when they can just get an older gen cheaper or get a used device in good condition?

If Apple sales starts to significantly suffer for a while then they would probably just lower prices instead of try to break into the budget market where margins are so thin.

But I remember the Polycarbonate Macs. I had a white laptop with a power PC processor. I loved it at the time and it didn't feel cheap at all since it had little to no flex and the Polycarbonate was a much better quality plastic than Windows laptops were using at that time. All laptops were plastic back then.

I have no problem with plastic. Specially plastics like carbon fiber, kevlar, etc. However I think Aluminum is better for the environment since it can be easily recycled and plastic can't.

the education market, which is not a retail buyer but bulk buyers

well people doubted the budget iPad and even the budget iPhone but both of those chips will be now used to the upcoming budget macbook

 

[Technerd108]

the education market, which is not a retail buyer but bulk buyers

well people doubted the budget iPad and even the budget iPhone but both of those chips will be now used to the upcoming budget macbook

I didn't say I was opposed to it. I get what you are saying but the budget iPad already serves the education market well.

If we are talking public schools 1-12 then I doubt Apple will fill this market with a cheap notebook.

Their education market is higher education like high school and up. They do very well in this market with current pricing and availability.

Chromebooks already serve the need for 12 grade and under and I doubt Apple could make something cheaper than a Chromebook be good which is why I don't see them doing it. They would have to provide an inferior product with limited features which is counter to Apple ethos and design.

I think it is either a cheap iPad or maybe last gen MacBook airs once discontinued at a good discount.

But I don't know anything. Just my hunch based on past experiences.

 

[JPack]

I didn't say I was opposed to it. I get what you are saying but the budget iPad already serves the education market well.

If we are talking public schools 1-12 then I doubt Apple will fill this market with a cheap notebook.

Their education market is higher education like high school and up. They do very well in this market with current pricing and availability.

Chromebooks already serve the need for 12 grade and under and I doubt Apple could make something cheaper than a Chromebook be good which is why I don't see them doing it. They would have to provide an inferior product with limited features which is counter to Apple ethos and design.

I think it is either a cheap iPad or maybe last gen MacBook airs once discontinued at a good discount.

But I don't know anything. Just my hunch based on past experiences.

The idea is that Apple and Google want to groom a customer for life. If kids start using Chrome in elementary, they’re more likely to prefer it for higher education, and ultimately recommend it when they become decision makers at work. This is especially true in the age of cloud computing, Google Workspace, and AI. This is making local processing power less relevant.

Chromebooks are being used in K-12 and now becoming more common in college with Chromebook Plus.

A low-cost MacBook just needs to offer better value. It does not need to be cheaper than the cheapest Chromebook. This is just like how the first $329 iPad didn’t need to be cheaper than a $200 Samsung Tab A.

Schools and most students don’t procure through Craigslist or Facebook. The availability of $600 used or last gen MacBooks is irrelevant when Apple needs an optimized low-cost device that can be priced new for $699.

 

[snakes-]

In hope there dosent cut the touch id button and give the option for 24 GB ram.