Subj : Cheaper MacBooks with smaller displays might already be in produc To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Fri Oct 27 2023 13:15:06 Cheaper MacBooks with smaller displays might already be in production, and Ive never wanted a leak to be true more than this Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2023 11:59:53 +0000 Description: Want a MacBook, but the price is holding you back? This new leak might have some good news for you. FULL STORY ====================================================================== A new leak coming out of Korea has claimed that Apple is actively developing at least two new MacBook models featuring 12- and 13-inch screens - and that these new laptops will retail for $700 or less. If youre like me and hate the sky-high asking prices for Apples hardware (even the popular M2 MacBook Air is overpriced, in my opinion), youre probably already excited - but we should tread carefully here. The leak originated from a user by the name of yeux1122 on Korean blogging site Naver, who has claimed that supply chain sources are seeing evidence of budget MacBook models with the above display sizes in active production. As with all leaks and rumors, its best to take this news with a hefty side of salt - but Im really hoping this one is real. While yeux1122 isnt a source that has been 100% reliable in the past, major Apple leakers like Mark Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo have already partially corroborated this news; while the original 12-inch MacBook was declared obsolete by Apple earlier this year , rumors have been circulating for a little while that the tech giant might have plans to revive its most compact laptop. In fact, my colleague Allisa James reported on yeux1122 claiming a 12-inch MacBook was inbound back in February, and a DigiTimes report from last month stated that Apple was working on new low-cost MacBook models. Kuo claimed on X (formerly Twitter) just this week that Apple was considering more affordable MacBooks, although he did add that the company hasnt decided yet. As far as I know, Apple attributes the significant decline in MacBook shipments in 2023 mainly to the limited M2 computing power upgrade. I believe this is why Apple may prefer to launch the M3 series MacBook Pro even when its production volume is still low rather than continue October 24, 2023 See more Cheaper MacBooks could be the solution to Apples current problems Low-cost MacBook models could be the exact right way to go for Apple right now - problems with processor production and a significant decline in global laptop sales (with MacBook sales hit pretty badly ) could definitely push Apple towards releasing some more affordable laptops to fill the gap. MacBook prices havent seen a generational drop in quite a while, meaning that buyers on a budget are unlikely to spring for one of Apples laptops right now. Kuo and yeux1122 both claim that these budget MacBooks represent a chance for Apple to recoup losses in the laptop market, particularly against cheap laptops in the education sector - like the best Chromebooks . This makes the $700 price target make a lot more sense, given thats about how much youd pay for a premium Chromebook. Apples M3 chip is almost here too, with an upcoming event on October 30 promising to reveal some Scary Fast new hardware with a gaming angle. I dont anticipate that well see these cheaper MacBooks there - the focus is more likely to be on high-powered new models, like the rumored M3 MacBook Pro . As for whether these new 12- and 13-inch MacBooks will use M3, thats anyones guess - it wouldnt surprise me if Apple opts to put unused M2 chips in them instead. In any case, I really hope these MacBooks make it into mainline production. Apple has long held a reputation for expensive products, and in todays economy thats a reputation I would want to ditch, personally. The only question that remains is what will these new MacBooks be called? Leakers have notably avoided using the Air and Pro monikers when discussing the low-cost models, so perhaps were going to see a return to the simple MacBook 12-inch name - or maybe itll be something completely different. MacBook mini? MacBook Nano? MacBook Lite? The possibilities are endless. You might also like Apple's October event could finally deliver M3 iMacs Rumored M3 MacBook Pro could be rushed out Everything we saw at the September 2023 Apple event ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/macbooks/cheaper-macbooks-with-smaller-dis plays-might-already-be-in-production-and-ive-never-wanted-a-leak-to-be-true-mo re-than-this --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .