According to Techmeme, Google and Epic Games have reached an agreement to settle Epic’s 2020 antitrust lawsuit, with proposed changes to Android and Google Play now pending court approval. Meanwhile, Apple is reportedly testing a new low-cost Mac priced under $1,000 that uses iPhone-class chips instead of M-series processors. The device still outperforms early M1 Macs despite the different chip architecture. This move expands Apple’s entry-level Mac lineup without hurting average selling prices for Air and Pro models. The development comes after years of speculation about an everyday low-priced MacBook.
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<h2 id="apple-budget-strategy”>The Budget Mac Strategy
Here’s the thing about Apple’s current situation: they’re running out of big growth levers. After pulling out of the car project, slow-rolling mixed reality that few people actually care about, and avoiding smart-home devices and wearables like rings, what’s left? Basically, they need to squeeze more revenue from existing product categories. A budget Mac makes perfect sense when you think about it. The education market alone could be huge, and there are plenty of casual users who don’t need M3-level performance but want the Mac experience without the premium price tag.
And let’s be real – the current Mac lineup starts at what, $1,099 for the base Air? That’s still a significant chunk of change for students or secondary computer users. A sub-$1,000 machine could open up entirely new market segments that Apple has basically ceded to Chromebooks and cheaper Windows laptops.
The Chip Surprise
Now, the most interesting part here is the chip strategy. Using iPhone-class processors instead of M-series chips? That’s actually brilliant. Apple’s A-series chips are incredibly powerful – we’re talking about processors that already outperform many laptop CPUs in single-core tasks. Ben Bajarin and other analysts have been watching Apple’s silicon strategy closely, and this move shows they’re thinking creatively about their product stack.
Think about it: Apple can use existing iPhone chip production lines, probably with slightly binned or older-generation processors, to create a cost-effective Mac without cannibalizing their premium M-series business. And if it still beats early M1 Macs? That’s plenty of performance for most people’s daily computing needs. Payton Dev and other developers would probably agree that even an A17-class chip would handle web development, coding, and most creative work just fine.
Market Impact
This could seriously shake up the entry-level laptop market. Chromebooks have dominated the education space because of their price point, and Windows laptops under $1,000 are everywhere. But an actual Mac for under a grand? That changes everything. Max Weinbach has been tracking Apple’s education strategy for years, and this could be their big move to reclaim that market.
For developers and enterprises, a cheaper Mac means more accessible testing and development machines. Lex and other tech leaders have noted how expensive it gets to maintain multiple Apple devices for testing. A budget option could make that much more feasible for smaller teams and individual developers.
But here’s my question: will Apple actually commit to this, or is this another one of their experiments that never sees the light of day? Austin Lyons mentioned getting what felt like a shoulder shrug when he asked about near-term demand levers during his last CNBC Apple earnings interview. Maybe this is the lever they’ve been holding back.
The Bigger Picture
Look, Apple’s growth story has been looking a bit shaky lately. The iPhone upgrade cycles are stretching longer, iPad sales are flat, and they’ve backed away from several potential new product categories. A budget Mac isn’t the sexiest innovation, but it might be exactly what they need right now. It’s a practical move that addresses real market gaps rather than chasing futuristic dreams that may or may not pay off.
And honestly, it’s about time. Microsoft has had the Surface Laptop SE at $249 for education, Google’s Chromebooks start around the same price, and even Apple’s own iPad with keyboard gets you into the ecosystem for less. A proper Mac at this price point? That could be a game-changer for millions of potential users who’ve been priced out until now.
