Apple is Considering a Low-Cost MacBook to Compete Against Chromebooks and Mitigate Dwindling Shipments

wccftech.com:

Apple's 12-inch MacBook was a favorite to many, but it lacked the performance of high-end MacBooks. However, since Apple debuted its custom M-series of chips, rumors of a low-cost MacBook have surfaced again. Apple's M-series chips have solved the only thing wrong with the 12-inch MacBook. A prominent analyst now claims that Apple is considering a low-cost MacBook launch next year, which could be the successor of the 12-inch MacBook that Apple debuted in 2012.

Currently, Apple does now have a notebook that competes against Chromebooks. All major manufacturers, including Samsung and Google, have notebooks cheaper than the cheapest MacBook. Henceforth, Apple has an empty slot to fill to cater to users opting for a low-cost laptop. Apple's low-cost MacBook has been reported several times in the past, especially concerning Apple's custom silicon.

Prominent analyst Ming-Chi Kuo states that Apple plans to launch a new low-cost MacBook next year, directly competing against Chromebooks. Last month, a report from DigiTimes noted that Apple's budget MacBook lineup will be introduced by the end of 2024. The affordable MacBook will cut down some of the top features of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models.

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…

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) October 24, 2023

Apple would have to make certain compromises to justify the lower price tag. For instance, the machine could use older M series chips, which can be rebranded according to the lineup. Furthermore, the company