New information regarding Apple’s upcoming notebook line has come in. Aside from the upcoming notebook’s physical appearance, which the rumor mill has recently attempted to decipher. The new information describes the price range of Apple’s upcoming overhauled notebook lines, with a low-end model pegged at $799.
According to TheInquisitr.com, a “reliable” source has revealed information about Apple’s upcoming notebook line. Apparently, the source explains that Apple’s notebook price range will run from $799 all the way up to $3,100. So, Apple’s cheapest notebook on the market would run around $799. When compared to Apple’s currently cheapest notebook on the market, the $1,099 low-end Macbook, a $300 price drop is substantial. Especially given the kind of innovation we can expect to see come out of Cupertino.
Some Apple retailers in the United States have been given price lists for a new Apple laptop line, and there’s a big surprise: an $800 laptop. The information comes from a source we would categorize as reliable, would have access to such information, and who has been accurate in the past.
According to the source, Apple retail stores have been given price sheets that list 12 price points for the new range, with prices between $800-$3100. Current lines only have 8 price points, 3 Macbooks starting at $1099, 3 Macbook Pros and 2 Macbook Airs. According to the source, retail outlets usually get the price lists 10 days before products hit the market. Technical specs for the new laptops were not included on the price sheet.
An $800 laptop would be the first sub-$1000 laptop offered by Apple, and would signal a shift from Cupertino to target a broader range of price sensitive customers for the first time. Whether this laptop is a sub-laptop or ultra-portable we simply don’t know, it could be Apple more aggressively pricing their new Macbook range, or it could be a completely new laptop altogether, presumably utilizing the much discussed “Apple Brick” manufacturing process (pic above). What we do know is that there will be four additional price points, so unless the updated versions of existing lines are offered with more options, we would presume that Apple may actually launch an entirely new laptop.
Apparently the source is on the retail end of things so Riley seems very confident in the information. It’s definitely possible that pricing sheets are floating around, especially if current inventory is dwindling down as we’ve been hearing. Apple’s “brick” manufacturing process is still relatively vague, therefore it is difficult to speculate when the new notebook will be released or that it was cut by 3D lasers and water jets.
I personally spoke with Andy Hargreaves of Portland-based Pacific Crest Securities who has stated, “I’d be shocked if they started doing any of their own assembly,” adding, “That’s the kind of drastic step that would hurt profits. I’m just not sure what the advantages would be.” Either way, the addition of a new lower price notebook would make a lot of sense. The “netbook” market is growing and demand for a low cost notebook is increasing. Additionally, in Apple’s 3rd Quarter Earnings Report, CFO Peter Oppenheimer specifically mentioned that Apple was going to drastically slash prices on upcoming products while introducing major innovation that competitors won’t be able to match.
