Reports indicate that Apple is potentially developing a low-cost MacBook, priced around $599. This would mark a significant shift for the company, which has typically focused on premium products. The rumored device is expected to feature a smaller size and lower-resolution screen with a new design that is based on an iPhone processor rather than simply being a reworked MacBook Air.
The chip for this new laptop could be a variant of the A19 found in the latest iPhone models, although analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested that it might be powered by the previous year’s A18 chip. This approach of using a lightweight processor recalls the netbook trend of the late 2000s—devices that prioritized portability and low cost, but ultimately struggled to compete with more capable laptops and tablets.
Netbooks, such as the ASUS Eee PC, offered basic capabilities and had a significant market presence during their peak. However, they were often criticized for performance limitations and quickly fell out of favor with the rise of more versatile options like Chromebooks and the iPad, which fulfilled similar use cases with enhanced user experiences.
The potential features of Apple’s new MacBook, including a compact size and mobile-first chip, suggest it may partially resemble the original netbooks. While no details are confirmed regarding the exact specifications, the screen size is anticipated to be smaller than that of the 13.6-inch MacBook Air, possibly returning to sizes like 12 or 11 inches that would align it more closely with netbook characteristics.
It remains to be seen how Apple will position this low-cost offering and whether it can capture a segment of the market that has evolved significantly since the days of netbooks.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/tech/817277/apple-ipad-killed-the-netbook-cheap-macbook-is-bringing-them-back