Piper: new MacBooks may hit $899 mark
updated 02:25 pm EDT, Thu October 9, 2008
Piper on New MacBooks
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.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2008
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.