News Rumored $599-$699 MacBook could be in the works — 12.9-inch model with iPhone 16 Pro SoC tipped for Q3 2025 production

[Admin]

Apple’s manufacturing partners in Taiwan are reportedly preparing a MacBook deluge with a new level of affordability, according to industry sources.

Rumored $599-$699 MacBook could be in the works — 12.9-inch model with iPhone 16 Pro SoC tipped for Q3 2025 production : Read more

 

[Findecanor]

There are not new rumours but discussed a lot a few weeks ago., Then people found out that it was likely going to be as powerful as an Apple M1 but limited to 8 GB RAM.

The question then.... why not get a pre-owned Apple M1 laptop instead?

 

[S58_is_the_goat]

4gb of ram... i guarantee it.

 

[vanadiel007]

Sounds like a great replacement for Google Chrome OS laptops.

I can see this having decent traction for people on the go who don't need all the bells and whistles of a "real" Macbook but still want to stay in the Apple ecology.

With integration of all the Apple services and Apple phones this would make a lot of sense.

 

[Sippincider]

If all one needs is basic functionality and are buying based on price, consider an iPad over a corner-cut Mac.

 

[Alvar "Miles" Udell]

I don't think it'll go anywhere at $599, there's just too small of a difference between a current M4 Macbook Air that can be found for as little as $200 more when on sale, not to mention previous generation MacBook Airs that can be found for $599. Also the option for an iPad with an Apple magic keyboard is already a thing and occupies about the same price point.

 

[ezst036]

I still say this is a very shrewd move by Apple considering the generational weakness that Microsoft is in right now in the consumer/OS space.

For average users, you only have two high quality options right now. Those two high quality options are MacOS and SteamOS. Anything else out there only exists because it exists. I personally have a strong distaste for all things Apple but I will always admit flat out without blinking. MacOS is surely without any doubts a high quality and well put together, well thought-out product.

Even with the weakness Microsoft is in and with its continued arrogance, Windows 11 is pretty much dragging Microsoft below 70% market share. I'm old enough (Sonny boy, I remember back, back when I was your age) to remember when Microsoft dominated 95% of the market with Windows XP. Now Mac has over 10%, usually estimated at 14-15% and some already put Mac at 20; while Linux is being said to have 5% and some government estimates put it at 6%.

If Microsoft's arrogance continues and Apple does indeed leverage the situation you could see Apple rising to well over 20 or more percent and Linux rising to 7%, 8% or more.

By the time Microsoft snaps out of it, drops its arrogance and delivers Windows 12 after this Vista 2.0 fiasco who knows what low levels of market share they will be down to.

Most users are not like us, who would log into a Toms Hardware and comment on these things. They would be perfectly fine with Apple's walled garden just to get online and use a Photoshop here or there.

 

[ezst036]

The question then.... why not get a pre-owned Apple M1 laptop instead?

Easy answer:

Apple's ruthless support policy.

Over the last probably two decades since Apple adopted a pretty much free OS model, Apple has "given" its users like a 6 or so year window of support and then you get kicked to da curb. The M1s were introduced in 2020 and that makes buying an M1 now at this point wholly foolish. The problem is that Apple keeps its support drop policy a closely guarded secret from everybody, so you can't just go to Apple.com and get a reasonable, rational answer as to when the M1 will no longer be supported. It'll just be supported until Apple says you're no longer supported and that's that. When Apple decides you need to go buy new computer, get up and go buy a new computer. They have the power, they get to decide. Many Apple users often just buy a new machine every two year anyways simply because they can, so most don't actually get affected by the cut off.

These A-series laptops will be supported probably until 2031/32 or so. This is the no-brainer smarter purchase when compared to a M1.

 

[Alvar "Miles" Udell]

Easy answer:

Apple's ruthless support policy.

Over the last probably two decades since Apple adopted a pretty much free OS model, Apple has "given" its users like a 6 or so year window of support and then you get kicked to da curb. The M1s were introduced in 2020 and that makes buying an M1 now at this point wholly foolish. The problem is that Apple keeps its support drop policy a closely guarded secret from everybody, so you can't just go to Apple.com and get a reasonable, rational answer as to when the M1 will no longer be supported. It'll just be supported until Apple says you're no longer supported and that's that. When Apple decides you need to go buy new computer, get up and go buy a new computer. They have the power, they get to decide. Many Apple users often just buy a new machine every two year anyways simply because they can, so most don't actually get affected by the cut off.

These A-series laptops will be supported probably until 2031/32 or so. This is the no-brainer smarter purchase when compared to a M1.

Just because the OS is out of support doesn't mean the computer is a brick, especially if the software programs you are using is still being updated, or is cloud based.