"Next week, Apple is expected to announce a colorful, low-cost, non-Air, non-Pro MacBook powered by one of its mobile processors. By avoiding its pricier M-series chips, Apple may reportedly be able to reach a low $699 or $799 price for the MacBook."
"There's another compelling reason to bring back a cheaper MacBook: It's the perfect way to court disgruntled Windows users, something Apple hasn't really done since its "Get A Mac" ads from the mid-2000s. I figure the unbridled success of the iPhone and iPad made Apple focus less on directly competing with Windows."
"But now Microsoft is distracted by AI - it's been pushing Copilot and AI features for years, instead of improving the Windows experience with more useful upgrades. Recent talk of agentic AI capabilities, which would let Copilot handle tasks for you automatically, also sparked plenty of criticism from Windows users."
Apple is expected to announce a new, affordable MacBook priced between $699-$799, powered by a mobile processor rather than expensive M-series chips. This represents an opportunity to revive the low-cost MacBook segment, which hasn't had a true entry-level option since the M1 Air's dated design. Microsoft's recent struggles—including focus on AI features like Copilot at the expense of core Windows improvements and several disastrous OS updates—create an opening for Apple to directly compete for Windows users. Apple hasn't aggressively courted Windows switchers since the "Get A Mac" campaign in the mid-2000s. A competitively priced, modern MacBook could capitalize on Windows user dissatisfaction and reestablish Apple's presence in the mainstream laptop market.
#macbook-pricing-strategy #windows-vs-macos-competition #microsoft-ai-focus #laptop-market-opportunity
Read at Engadget
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