Apple to create budget Macs?
The Mac has always had a reputation for being "reassuringly expensive" - could a lower-cost range end up hurting Apple?
According to information published over on AppleInsider, the Cupertino-based company is looking to shed its image of overpriced – or luxury, depending on your perspective – goods with a range of reduced-priced hardware.
Apparently a response to the overwhelming success of netbooks, despite the company's public scorn thereof, sources say that Apple is seriously looking at producing reduced costs – one hardly dare use the word 'cheap' – 13” MacBooks and iMacs. While pricing – or even an acknowledgement of the rumours – has not yet been forthcoming, it's thought that the move could bring the cost of a 20” iMac below $1,000 (£675).
The newly-designed MacBook line is predicted to be the first to hit the market – possibly even before the summer – and is expected to more clearly delineate the difference between the budget-concious MacBooks and their more professional level MacBook Pro brethren.
The move comes as shipments of Macs dropped by three percent in the last three months, and Apple saw its estimated share of the US computer market drop to just 7.4 percent. With more people looking at the budget end of the market for their next purchase – and with the slowing economy continuing to bite both businesses and consumers – it's clear that now is an excellent time for Apple to target a new market.
One thing that the company will be reserving for the higher-end models in its stable is revealed in a new patent filing spotted by Mac Rumours. It seems that Apple is looking in to the use of carbon fibre composite materials to cut the weight of its next generation of portable devices – and has patented a technique for improving the look via what it describes as a “scrim” layer. This technique would allow Apple to make use of the material for its strength and weight – or lack thereof – while not producing what it describes as a “tired, unexciting look” normally associated with carbon fibre composites.
Does the thought of an affordable MacBook fill you with joy, or are you more excited by the prospect of a carbon fibre Air? Perhaps you think Apple should keep its reputation intact and not deign to compete with the low-cost end of the market? Share your thoughts over in the forums.
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Discuss in the forums ReplyBasically they will be making themselves a more viable target for hackers....
yes, you're so special, owning a mass produced device sold to hundreds of thousands of people around the world. sooooo special.
there's nothing 'special' about macs. they're just nice machines running a nice OS, priced a little higher because of that. Apple doesn't really do 'budget' - what they will probably end up doing is introducing more value oriented configurations of their current machines. to actually introduce a completely different model that is budget oriented, would dilute their brand.
It'll be a long time before the OS X market is anywhere near the size of that of the Windows.
if their price is competitive on the new mac-netbook, im interested. if their price is as overpriced as it is now, i'll probably buy the next best netbook that people have successfully installed Snow Leopard on it. (when it's released)
Market size doesnt have to be as big as windows for it to be viable
The popularity of the Iphone is already making them vulnerable if holes in the safari browser are exploited for instance
yeah damn those poor people to hell, if they cant spend £1000 on a 15" laptop then they should just be shot right now
Honestly? Tired and unexciting? Whenever I seem to think of carbon fiber, the first thing that comes to mind for me is Formula 1 cars, Exotic super-cars, and airplanes which last time I checked cant really be described as "tired and unexciting"
Unless apple thinks their products are as exciting as a flaming muscle car driving off of cliff while firing mini-guns... I think they need to re-evaluate their views a bit...
Moron
mac users = special olympic kids??
Anyways, i'll like a decent priced mac based netbook.
Hence the need for a "special" computer brand..!
With a 1Ghz slower single core GPU, 256 RAM, and a 4GB SSD..... in a netbook.
When any PC manufacturer makes a laptop that looks as good and is built as solid as a MacbookPro, let me know. (and don't say lenovo 'cause they look crap...)
I will concede to the apple haters that its easily possible to get a laptop from other manufacturers (or even a white-box OEM like OCZ) that outperforms a Macbook Pro for less money but they generally look like crap, are made out of plastic, and have screens that are slightly shittier than current Macbook Pro screens. (GOD I wish apple would buy up the Dell Studio 16" screens!) Macs, to me, seem to hit enough of the bases to make them worth the money to me.
I have built my own PC on a number of occasions but I will continue to be an Apple customer because of their industrial design and attention to detail. I am a graphic designer though so those things are important to me. That and Macs are pretty much standard in my industry.
As far as a budget mac? I am all for it. Most mac users don't need or care about fast graphics, they just want to "Get to the Internet" (because the vast majority of them are clueless) but Macs also have a place for the power user. For them, the budget mac is irrelevant. For all the other non-computer types of people a budget mac is fine.
ROFL!
i knew this kind of comment would be mentioned when i looked at the title of this thread. but first reply? wow.
i just hope it was mentioned ironically...
I couldn't care less about cheaper Macs, I don't like their OS much, and I've not had a laptop burn my lap since I used a Powerbook G4. Good for whoever wants them, I'm still staying with my EeePC 4G.
Great little machines, they were, even if mine did cost me over a grand at the time :-o
Don't get the whole "I could get a PC which is 2x the power of an mac product for the same price" - I could go out and buy a Ford Escort which tends to perform as good as a VW Passat / Audi A4 at same level... You pay the premium for the badge, build quality and more whizz bang.. Seems acceptable with cars.
Just like you buy a mac product for the badge, build quality and whizz bang (OSX).
Good test imo - After moving to apple over the last month, buying a Macbook and iMac.. My wife used the iMac while i was at work.. She fell in love with it, said everything was just so easy to use once she got a grip with it.. Thinks the keyboard is perfect and wondered why all aren't as spaced out like that.. Even took her hand at a bit of video editing... Yet she's pretty anti tech. Unfortunately, she now wants a Macbook. Doh!
Yes.. i am sorry... Turning into a bit of a mac fan. Soon i'll be wearing scarfs with big cord jackets, while carrying my starbucks coffee.
Dude... you've gotta listen/read more and talk/write less! Which means you've missed the whole point... even that of this article!
I think your car analogy is a little (read long) way off. A VW or audi is going to have a lot more features and a lot better build quality than a ford escort. You may be paying a certain portion for the brand, but not nearly as much as you are for a mac.
Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with the systems themselves, they are perfectly fine. I have in fact fallen in love with their text to speech system, I went into the apple store in Cambridge today and started off a massive long song :p.
Apple products don't seem to be more expensive because of the name, its seem more because they want people to feel part of an exclusive club as the first response suggested, this is what I disprove of.
Apple won't make a true budget line because they don't want to undercut themselves. They have established a market which works for them, why change it.
As for anyone who says how amazing macs look and no one can say x make x model of laptop because they are all ugly, did you know that different people prefer different things? I know, I know, that can be hard to understand at first. But look around, not everyone wears the same clothes or has the same things. I personally think the black and white 13.3 mbs look hot, the new ally ones I hate.
mac has made its own identity in the market
adam carter:D
I own a VW Passat ... I was hard pressed to find much in the way of difference between it and a Ford Escort.. Sure some extra features and my impression was the build quality was better with the VW Passat... However.. That's exactly what you buy a mac for.. The 'extra features' is OSX and the things that come throw in with it like iMovie. Then you've got the build quality.. Let alone the form factor of a mac product. One of the reasons i'd never go back to a windows based laptop is due to the multi-touch trackpad on the new macbook, again, an extra feature. You make any analogy, there is going to be holes.. Especially when it's between cars and computers, but the general idea is correct.
Pay for exclusivity? Isn't that the entire premise of paying for badge... A product's 'badge' appeal is inextricably linked to the public perception of the exclusivity of that product. This is true of cars, clothes, shoes etc..
People may prefer the way a giant server rack looks in their office, or a white plastic macbook over an aluminum one. It is down to personal taste.. Apple products are purposefully designed to meet certain aesthetics, whether they're leading the charge in innovate design or following the trend. In general, they're perceived attractive and well thought out. Down to the little details like magnetic locks for power cables on the macbook range, or more pronounced way they've packed a PC a small unit for the iMac.
Also if you look closely at the PC market with all-in-one type computers like the iMac, the price is pretty comparable to say sonys offerings in that area.
Bad macs that looks good. What A joke
Some thing I worked with. Digi Pro Tools, This software is not that good But it works good with Windows systems faster than macs and it considered a Industry Standard. There are tons of software out there do better things and cost less but no one use ....
So kinda it's related to Industry Like what you said AndyDEL, So Industry uses macs, you must use mac. When they change you change with them :)
Me myself I will never use a mac as my main computer. Maybe I will buy one of those budget macs in future to know what this OSX is all about ;)
Also it's not an 'Industry Problem' - FinalCut is the defacto video editing software because it is the best video editing software... It's not just for ad or marketing video, most large studios use FinalCut.. The film 300 was edited using FinalCut as an example. Have a couple of friends who work in sound production who wouldn't use a PC over a Mac Pro for all the tea in china.
Then you've got the print media side.. Where the reason most people use macs is because Photoshop is incredibly stable on OSX.. Where on PC it leaves a little to be desired. I've also heard it's allot more efficient with mac, not sure why.. Having not used it on here yet.
I moved to mac products because i fancied a change.. Really liked iMovie / FinalCut and wanted to develop apps for the iPhone.
Cream Dream!
Imagin having a portable thats strong enough to beat someone to death with that isn't a panasonic toughbrick!
iMovie isn't all that. Anyone who is serious about it will use finalcut as you said. Just like moviemaker on windows is plop, and if you really wanted to do some serious editing you would use avid.
As for your multitouch being an extra feature, it isn't a mac only thing. my eee has it for example. I am not a mac hater as such. I just really don't see how they are anything special.
My mate who has a mac always shows me something his mac can do and thinks I will be impressed, I always show him that my distro of linux (whatever system I am on, opensuse, ubuntu, mint) can do the exact same thing and didn't cost me an arm and a leg to do it.
I have nothing against macs, I dislike the way apple try to make all their products proprietary(sp? on a machine without spell check) and get away with it. Apples business practice as of late leaves a sour taste in the mouth. Having said that, if a macbook cost basically the same as a similar specced windows or linux based system and looked better I would probably buy it. As it stands I do not think they look better and you pay a hell of a lot more than you would for a windows or linux based system.
Not to keep harking back to your car analogy, but even if you do say an escort and passat have similar specs, the reliability between the 2 is going to be massive, and I know you are going to say that your mac system is more reliable that my windows or linux based one, but the fact of the matter is that it really isn't.
My final point, I don't consider sony to be a comparable system maker, their systems are always over priced. I believe this is for the same reason as apple products are.
To summarise, macs are too expensive for what they are no matter how you look at it.
I didn't say iMovie was all that.. Maybe you should of quoted to make sure your responses were clear and in response to something actually on the thread... What i did say was it was partly a reason for buying into mac products.. It's easy to use, quick to whack together a few videos from my camera and produce a half decent video. Windows has Movie Maker, which compared, is dire.
Think you'll find the MultiTouch on your eee is limited to certain applications... Not to mention the fact when they first brought it out it was useless. Having to update to fix the problems. I've used an eee and if you're trying compare the trackpad on a macbook to an eee, you're really living in dream land. It's like saying a HTC WM phone touch screen as good / responsive as an iPhone, which it blatantly isn't.
As far as reliability goes, you can yap on all you like that Windows is just as reliable as OSX. The public perception of that is there for a reason, some of it may be waffle but the great majority exists for a good reason.
Apple just does not DO low-priced stuff.
I hope you are making a comparison between the european ford focus, and not the north american one. If it's the n. american one, you're practically comparing a Kia to a 3-series.
Whats next? Ferrari Twingo?
Under my name is says "Location: United Kingdom" - So what do you think :P
A - Apple introduces a "budget" line, lesser hardware specs, same quality, limited support. Same great apple quality and OS, just with a less powerful machine. This would only work given the assumption that people are actually seeing the price difference, i.e. Apple would really need to spread the word and advertise hard to get that out there. Instead of a $1299 Macbook, you can get one for $899.
B - They do what ever PC based manufacturer does and create a totally lack-luster somewhat ok performace machine, with the same specs, but slack on the materials, using plastic instead of metal and glass. It's priced at $899 just like the Scenario A laptop but is a POS in the eyes of Apple brand faithfuls. Apple dilutes it's brand to stay alive and all but shoots itself in the foot by doing so.
The Vote.
Most people are going to agree that Scenario A is the better option. Besides it's not like the regular 13.3 Macbook is slacking in specs. Kicking things down to a 12.1" Screen, Low Voltage CPU, 1 GB memory, removing Bluetooth, dedicated Nvidia Graphics (replace with Intel GMA onboard) and the mini-Display Port. Keep the DVD/CD burner, keep the quality screen and the Wi-Fi and you've got a system that is already $400 cheaper to produce. Pass that on the customer and you can see we have an $899. There you have it. Less specs, same great quality, what more could you ask for? Not to mention at that price people will sink their teeth into an Apple Care Protection plan with the spare cash. This is not a bad idea for Apple to look into. They just need to be conscious of the brand reputation and do it the right way the first time.
What are you're guys thoughts on that idea?
Peace
I wouldnt touch it with a barge pole...
My comments:
* The notion that all Apple design is good design. Laughable. Of course clean blank aluminum sheets are the sex! I mean. They basically didn't design anything. It's just the raw materials you see after some bending and punching.
I'm not saying the all black typical PC laptops look much better, but I've seen some pretty imaginative design on the PC platform. Apple is just more of the same.
* Notions that Macs are full featured and much better engineered than anything else. Eh yeah right. Screams fanboyism all the way.
Apple sure made a name for themselves. Great work!
We should just all shut down our businesses and join them. Why even bother anymore.
People can like both Macs and PC's ironically enough. You don't choose one slice and stick to it, heck I have a macbook for School (And Uni come september) and a PC for gaming.
Maybe because i Realise the Superiority of OS X and Apple Laptops, love the design, the after support and the fact that For Design, its what the Industry uses. Whilst also enjoying building and tweaking my own self built machine, and playing PC Games...?
Prickkkk. :)
Anyway, i sure hope Apple don't start making cheaper machines, they will start cutting corners, and will lower the build quality. Im all for adding more features for the current price though :P
lol....did you not even read my comment about how Apple would approach this? Apparently you did not or else you would clearly see the lesser spec'd example I gave which would be a clear indicator that Apple has the potential to delve into another market for lower-middle class consumers. People don't want to pay more than $1000 for a laptop because they know that they will be either a) buying a new one several years down the road anyway b) if they can't afford an extended warranty and it dies outside the MFG warranty they will still have to buy a new one and c) they will WANT to buy a new one after several years. All these factors make sense not only for many Americans but also for people across the globe. Additionally, not everyone needs Buletooth, Dedicated graphics, and a Display Port option. The people buying these systems will most likely not have anything that even Uses said technologies. With that said I think Apple will follow suit here and give the market something not only that it wants, but something that will show the more humanitarian, less snotty side of the authority that is. Do you agree?
Peace
Also, I would love to see the mythical xMac, but it will never happen.