During Apple's WWDC 2023 event in June, the tech giant introduced its Macbook Air 15 with a starting price of Rs. 1,34,900. However, as the competition in the affordable PC market continues to intensify with the presence of Google's Chromebooks and various entry-level Windows laptops, Apple appears to be preparing to enter this segment. According to a recent report, Apple is in the process of developing budget-friendly MacBook models to challenge Chromebooks in the education sector. These rumored MacBook devices are expected to make their official debut in the second half of the following year.
According to industry sources cited by DigiTimes, Apple is actively working on a low-cost MacBook series aimed at competing with Chromebook models in the education sector. These devices could potentially launch as early as the second half of 2024. While the upcoming MacBook lineup is anticipated to feature the signature metal casing associated with Apple laptops, it may differentiate itself from the existing MacBook Air and MacBook Pro by incorporating more cost-effective materials and components to achieve a lower price point.
At present, Windows laptops and Chromebooks enjoy considerable popularity among students and within the education industry. The report highlights that over 13.9 million Chromebooks were shipped in 2019, a figure that surged to more than 30.4 million units in 2020, and exceeded 33.5 million units in 2021. Apple's potential move into this Chromebook-dominated market could involve pricing the upcoming MacBook laptops at under $1,000 (approximately Rs. 80,000).
However, it's important to note that Apple has not officially announced any plans regarding the release of budget-friendly MacBook models. As such, this information should be approached with some degree of caution.
Currently, the most affordable laptop option from Apple is the M1-powered MacBook Air 13-inch, available with a starting price of Rs. 99,900 in India. This MacBook model features a 13.3-inch IPS Retina display boasting a resolution of 1,600x2,560 pixels. Powered by the Apple M1 chip, it offers up to 16GB of RAM and up to 2TB of onboard storage, along with an HD FaceTime camera, Touch ID sensor, and stereo speakers enhanced by Dolby Atmos.
