Apple may release a low-cost MacBook to compete with Chromebooks

Over the years, Apple has built a reputation for quality and expensive products. However, the Cupertino-based company is rumored to be working on a low-cost MacBook to compete with the Chromebook and make a mark in the education sector.

The report that Apple is working on a low-cost MacBook comes from Taiwanese news outlet DigiTimes, which claims that the Cupertino-based company is planning to release the alleged low-cost MacBook in Q2 2024. Without giving any details about the specifications and price of the alleged budget MacBook, the publication talks about how the company has managed to keep the cost down to make it affordable for students.

While Apple is rumored to be going with a metal chassis for the entry-level MacBook, the materials will be “different.” The material used in the current MacBook devices is aluminum alloy, but the company may choose a different type of metal that is cheaper in order to cut costs. As another cost-cutting measure, Apple may compromise on the quality of the mechanical components rumored to be used in the new education-focused MacBooks.

Apple’s current product lineup doesn’t have anything specifically aimed at students, though the company has long tried to position its iPad devices as something that could replace laptops. The company reportedly hasn’t given up on that leitmotif yet, as it is reportedly working on a Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro devices that turns the tablet into something akin to a laptop. Apple is currently offering special discounts to students to make its MacBooks and other devices more affordable to purchase.

This is the first time we’re hearing about an upcoming budget MacBook, but since we haven’t heard anything about it from other credible sources, we should wait for something more substantial to believe the rumors.