Apple is reportedly developing a cheaper MacBook to rival Chromebook

If you were looking for a cheaper MacBook, then you might be in for a treat. A recent report claims Apple is developing a “low-cost” MacBook planned to release next year, competing with Google's Chromebooks and other entry-level laptops.

The M1 MacBook Air from 2020 is Apple's current cheapest MacBook offering, but a new report from Digitimes (via TechPowerUp) has revealed that Apple is working on a low-cost MacBook laptop to compete with Chromebooks and entry-level notebooks targeting the education sector. As per the report, the cheap MacBook could be released as soon as H2 2024.

The source claims that Apple will probably launch a new product line for these cheap MacBooks to differentiate them from the existing MacBook Air and Pro lines. The lower price will result from using less expensive materials for the exterior shell and cheaper mechanical components.

Apple apparently takes nine months to get from product research to mass manufacturing, but there have been no reports of a new model hitting the supply chains. That implies that such a MacBook is at least nine months away and that the chances of the product launching in the first half of 2024 are low.

As noted in the original report, Apple's iPad lineup is currently the most affordable Apple product for students, but as tablets, they're not as easy to use as Chromebooks for student workloads. Additionally, they are pricier than Chromebooks, leading students to choose Google OS-based laptops. As such, a low-cost MacBook may be the answer Apple is looking for. However, we don't expect Apple will be looking to compete with the cheapest Chromebooks, which can go for as little as £150.

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KitGuru says: Do you think MacBooks are too expensive? How much cheaper would it need to be for you to get one?

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