10/09/2008, 2:25pm, EDT
Thursday, October 9thPiper: new MacBooks may hit $899 mark
The MacBooks at Apple's special notebook event next week may drop even further than anticipated, Piper Jaffray senior analyst Gene Munster says. Having already predicted $999 models earlier, the researcher now estimates that the new models may dip as low as $899. This will reportedly come despite apparent moves to more upscale components, including a switch to aluminum; Munster anticipates a multi-touch trackpad similar to those given to the Air and Pro.
The analyst also anticipates some similar changes to the MacBook Pro but at a more modest level. A price cut to $1,899 is considered possible and may be accompanied by a more advanced trackpad. The MacBook Air is also predicted to get a minor update, though Munster rules out the likelihood of a tablet or otherwise touchscreen-enabled Mac for the gathering.
A price drop has been regarded as potentially crucial to Apple, which has to compete both in a poorer economy and against steadily declining notebook prices. It's also unknown whether the company has yet to reveal its mystery product transition that will lower the company's margins; some have asserted that the reference applies to the $229 iPod touch, though Apple has never confirmed this.
Filed under: Investor, computers, Apple
Other story tags: MacBook
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Hope so, but
wouldn't hold my breath. If Apple goes upscale on materials on the MB I doubt we'd see a 10% or greater price cut on the entry model. You may see some deeper cuts as you migrate up the model range and into the MBP line though. They could spawn a new line of MacBook "classic" or "low cost" models that carry the bargain banner and infuse the existing price points with various mixes of newer tech.
YEAH RIGHT...
I'll believe it when I see it. The rumors always have new products coming out at low low prices...
Apple doesnt exactly have a great track record of low prices.
$700
They need a $700 machine to be taken seriously in the youth market.
Girlfriend bought a HP with a 17" screen and a whole bunch of other goodies- for $700. Trust me, it's hard to compare a 13" macbook, even if it is sexy and runs a superior operating system.
could be..
I would not be surprised at all.
Apple is a prime position to make price cuts. 18.4 BILLION in cash, no debt and 30% margins on current machines.
If they want to start capturing more market share, lowering prices is a great way to do that. Even if they take a hit on price at first, it will pay off 2-3 fold in the long run.
RE: David Esrati
No.. they need a $700 to capture the cheapskate market :) People who want cheap will always buy cheap. Colleges are reporting a large number of Mac owners (some up to 40%) so the price point is certainly not a factor.
Apple could easily make a $500 - 600 laptop, but they simply wont because they don't want to make crap. They want to make a good quality product.
Analysts..
Why does anyone, never mind Macnn take any notice of these 'analysts' !? Especially one calling himself 'Gene Munster' !! lol
They get paid to pull 'news' out of their backsides.. They are notorious for it. Its all so yawn inspiring.
Having said that, i guess I wouldnt say no to a job where all I had to do was sit around on my arse all day predicting the predictable.
Maybe....
maybe they will have a laptop for $300, but the RAM will cost $900 USD
Yup, sounds like apple.
Oh, I can't wait to purchase their old hunk-a-junk they sold for $10,000 USD, the Anniversay SH!T hole Desktop. Only one was sold in the entire nation, and Steve Jobs sold it to himself.
Apple = bargain.... NOT!
haha