Apple's Rumored $699 MacBook is Now Here!

Max Tech
23 Mar 202410:08

TLDRApple has finally released a more affordable MacBook, priced at $699, which has been anticipated for some time. This new model is not a completely new design but rather a rebranded version of the 2018 MacBook Air, featuring an A14-based M1 chip. Despite not having the latest features such as MagSafe or the most up-to-date display technology, it offers solid performance for budget-conscious consumers. Apple has strategically partnered with Walmart to sell this model, allowing them to cater to a wider audience without compromising their premium brand image in other retail spaces. The $699 MacBook is expected to be a popular choice for users needing a laptop primarily for basic tasks like web browsing and email, while also being capable of handling simple photo and video editing. This move is seen as a win-win for both Apple and consumers, expanding Apple's market reach and providing an accessible entry point to the MacBook ecosystem.

Takeaways

  • 💻 Apple has released a new, more affordable MacBook starting at $699, targeting budget-conscious consumers.
  • 📈 The new MacBook offers a Retina display with 2,880 pixels by 1,800, quadrupling the pixel count from the previous generation.
  • 🔄 Apple has listened to customer feedback and included additional ports in the new MacBook Pro, such as HDMI and SD card slots, as well as MagSafe charging.
  • 📉 The price of the new MacBook is significantly lower than previous models, making it a budget-friendly option without compromising on performance.
  • 🚀 The use of the M1 chip, which is now cheaper for Apple to produce, allows for a more affordable laptop while still delivering good performance.
  • 🔌 The new MacBook initially comes with a single port, which could be used for charging with MagSafe, freeing up the USB-C port for other uses.
  • 💡 Apple's strategy involves selling older but still capable models through different retail channels like Walmart, allowing them to maintain a premium brand image elsewhere.
  • 📱 The M1 MacBook Air from 2020 is essentially Apple's budget laptop, using components from 2018, which are now more cost-effective to produce.
  • 🔗 Despite its age, the M1 chip in the budget MacBook is still capable of handling tasks like web browsing, emails, and even simple photo and video editing.
  • 📈 The release of the new MacBook is a strategic move by Apple to boost sales during a time of declining sales and inflationary pressures.
  • 💰 The $699 MacBook is expected to be a popular seller, offering great value for money and potentially attracting first-time MacBook users.

Q & A

  • What was the starting price of the new MacBook mentioned in the transcript?

    -The starting price of the new MacBook mentioned in the transcript is $699.

  • Why was the author initially excited about the rumored $600 MacBook?

    -The author was initially excited about the rumored $600 MacBook because it would be more affordable, allowing more people to access Apple's quality and innovation without the high price tag.

  • What significant change did Apple make to their MacBook lineup in recent years?

    -Apple made a significant change by adding more ports to the new MacBook Pro, including HDMI and SD card slots, and reintroducing MagSafe charging, after years of focusing on USB-C only.

  • What is the screen resolution of the new MacBook mentioned in the transcript?

    -The screen resolution of the new MacBook is 2,880 pixels by 1,800, which is four times the number of pixels in the previous generation.

  • Why did Apple decide to continue making the older models of MacBooks?

    -Apple decided to continue making the older models of MacBooks to address the budget-conscious market while maintaining their premium branding in regular places where premium tech is sold.

  • What is the significance of the M1 chip in the context of the $699 MacBook?

    -The M1 chip, even in its A14-based version, offers very capable performance for the $699 MacBook, allowing for tasks such as web browsing, email, and even simple photo and video editing, while being more cost-effective for Apple to produce.

  • How does the $699 MacBook cater to budget-conscious consumers?

    -The $699 MacBook caters to budget-conscious consumers by providing good performance at a lower price point, using parts that have become cheaper to produce over time, and offering a MacBook experience that outperforms many budget Windows computers.

  • What is the strategy behind Apple selling the older MacBook models exclusively through Walmart?

    -The strategy is to broaden Apple's market reach to budget-conscious consumers through Walmart, which is known for its value products, while still maintaining the premium branding in their regular sales channels.

  • What are some of the limitations of the $699 MacBook compared to newer models?

    -Some limitations of the $699 MacBook include the lack of MagSafe charging, potentially falling behind in terms of speakers and display quality, less impressive battery life, and single display support.

  • Why did Apple update the MacBook Air and introduce a more affordable model?

    -Apple updated the MacBook Air and introduced a more affordable model due to declining sales and to cater to the budget-conscious market during inflationary times.

  • What is the author's opinion on the $699 MacBook being a repurposed older model?

    -The author believes that while it would be exciting to see a brand new model, most people will be pleased to have an affordable MacBook with good performance, and that repurposing older models is a smart move by Apple.

  • How does the author view the potential impact of the $699 MacBook on Apple's sales?

    -The author views the $699 MacBook as a potential killer seller for Apple, as it provides an accessible entry point for new customers and offers good value for the price.

Outlines

00:00

💻 The $600 MacBook: A More Affordable Apple Experience

The video introduces the new, more affordable MacBook that starts at $600, a significant change for Apple known for its luxury branding. The host expresses excitement about the potential for a high-quality, long-lasting laptop at a lower price point. The discussion covers past Apple laptop models, including the MacBook Air and the 12-inch MacBook, and their impact on the market. The video highlights the new MacBook's improved display with four times the pixels of the previous generation and the return of useful ports like HDMI and SD card slots, as well as the inclusion of MagSafe charging. The host also talks about Apple's strategy to maintain its premium brand image while catering to budget-conscious consumers.

05:01

📈 Apple's Strategy for the Budget Market with the $699 MacBook

The summary explains Apple's approach to targeting budget-conscious consumers with the $699 MacBook, which is essentially a 2020 M1 MacBook Air with components dating back to 2018. The video discusses the cost-effectiveness of using older technology as new tech is released, making the production of older models cheaper. It also covers Apple's decision to sell this model exclusively through Walmart, a strategy that allows them to reach a broader market while preserving their premium branding elsewhere. The host speculates that the M1 chip's reduced manufacturing cost makes the laptop a viable budget option, despite its age. The video concludes by emphasizing the laptop's continued appeal and Apple's ability to satisfy consumers looking for a cost-effective entry into the Mac ecosystem.

10:01

🔍 A Brief Note

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Mindmap

Keywords

💡MacBook

A MacBook is a line of laptop computers designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. It is the primary laptop offering from Apple and is known for its sleek design, user-friendly interface, and robust performance. In the video, the MacBook is the central topic, with discussions about its affordability, design, and evolution over time.

💡Apple Silicon

Apple Silicon refers to the custom-designed system on a chip (SoC) that Apple uses in its Mac computers, replacing the previous Intel processors. The transition to Apple Silicon has been a significant change, offering improved performance and energy efficiency. The video mentions the M2 chips, which are part of the Apple Silicon lineup, and their role in providing high performance at a lower power consumption.

💡Retina Display

A Retina Display is a marketing term coined by Apple to describe a screen's pixel density that is so high the human eye cannot distinguish individual pixels at a typical viewing distance. It is associated with high-resolution screens that provide crisp and detailed images. The video discusses the high pixel density of the new MacBook's display, which is four times that of the previous generation.

💡MacBook Air

The MacBook Air is a subseries of the MacBook laptop line that is known for its thin and light design. It is often positioned as a more portable and slightly less powerful alternative to the MacBook Pro. The video script mentions the MacBook Air in the context of its thin design and how it sparked a revolution in laptop form factors.

💡Magnetic Trackpad

The Magnetic Trackpad, also known as the Force Touch trackpad, is a feature found in MacBook laptops that allows for a variety of input methods, including clicks, swipes, and force-sensitive gestures. It is highlighted in the video as a beloved feature that has remained a staple in MacBook design for nearly a decade.

💡MacBook Pro

The MacBook Pro is a higher-end model within the MacBook line, typically offering more powerful processors, better graphics capabilities, and additional ports for connectivity. The video discusses the new MacBook Pro models, emphasizing the addition of ports like HDMI and SD card slots, which were absent in previous iterations.

💡MacBook Price Drop

A price drop refers to a reduction in the cost of a product. In the context of the video, the price drop is significant as it makes the MacBook more accessible to a broader market. The discussion revolves around how Apple has adjusted its pricing strategy to offer more affordable options without compromising on quality.

💡M1 Chip

The M1 chip is Apple's first-generation custom ARM-based SoC that was introduced in 2020. It is noted for its performance and energy efficiency. The video mentions the M1 chip as being a cost-effective solution for Apple, allowing them to offer a budget-friendly MacBook with good performance.

💡Walmart

Walmart is a multinational retail corporation known for its wide range of products at competitive prices. The video discusses an unusual partnership between Apple and Walmart, where the latter is given exclusive rights to sell certain MacBook models, allowing Apple to target budget-conscious consumers without diluting its premium brand image.

💡Thunderbolt 3

Thunderbolt 3 is a hardware interface that allows for high-speed data transfer and can connect to external peripherals and displays. It is mentioned in the video in the context of the licensing costs associated with this technology, which have become cheaper as newer versions like Thunderbolt 5 are about to be released.

💡Inflationary Time

An inflationary time refers to a period when there is a general increase in prices for goods and services, often leading to a decrease in purchasing power. The video script alludes to the current economic climate as an inflationary time, which has influenced Apple's decision to offer more affordable MacBook options to cater to consumers' changing financial situations.

Highlights

The rumored $600 MacBook is now available, offering more affordable options for consumers.

Apple has shifted towards more affordable laptops in 2024, making high-quality devices accessible to a wider audience.

The new MacBook features a Retina display with 2,880 pixels by 1,800, quadrupling the pixels of the previous generation.

The original MacBook Air revolutionized thin and light laptops with its sleek design and portability.

Apple has listened to customer feedback and added more ports to the new MacBook Pro, enhancing performance and utility.

The new MacBooks include HDMI and SD card slots, as well as MagSafe charging, improving user experience.

Apple has introduced a 15-inch MacBook Air, catering to those who desire a larger display without the high cost of a MacBook Pro.

The $699 MacBook is a budget-friendly option, utilizing parts from 2018 to maintain cost-effectiveness.

The M1 chip, originally released in 2018, is now more affordable to produce, contributing to the lower price point of the $699 MacBook.

Apple has partnered with Walmart to exclusively sell the 2020 M1 MacBook Air, targeting the budget-conscious market.

The 2020 M1 MacBook Air retains good performance capabilities, suitable for everyday tasks and simple media editing.

Apple's strategy allows them to maintain their premium branding while expanding their market reach to budget consumers.

The $699 MacBook is a repurposed older model, leveraging existing technology and components to offer a cost-effective solution.

Despite its age, the A14-based M1 chip in the $699 MacBook is still very capable and competitive in the market.

The single display support and other limitations of the $699 MacBook are offset by Apple's newer machines for those with higher needs.

The $699 MacBook is expected to be a popular choice for first-time MacBook users and those on a budget.

Apple's approach with the $699 MacBook is a win-win for both the company and consumers, offering value and accessibility.

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