Core Viewpoint - Apple is preparing to enter the low-cost laptop market by developing an affordable Mac model aimed at consumers currently using Chromebooks and entry-level Windows laptops [1][2]. Group 1: Product Development - The new laptop, codenamed J700, is currently undergoing active testing within Apple and has entered early production stages with overseas suppliers [1]. - The target audience for this new device includes students, businesses, and light users who primarily browse the web, process documents, or engage in light media editing [1]. - Apple plans to launch this product in the first half of next year [1]. Group 2: Strategic Shift - This move represents a strategic shift for Apple, which has traditionally focused on high-end devices to maintain substantial profit margins and has committed not to pursue market share through low-end products [1]. - Apple is facing increasing competition from Chromebooks, which are low-cost laptops running Google's Chrome OS, and sees an opportunity to attract Windows users dissatisfied with Microsoft's push for Windows 11 [1]. Group 3: Product Specifications - The new laptop will be priced below $1,000 by using relatively low-end components and will feature an iPhone processor along with a lower-end LCD display [2]. - The screen size will be the smallest among all Macs, slightly smaller than the 13.6-inch display used in the MacBook Air [2]. - This will be the first time Apple uses an iPhone processor in a Mac, although internal tests indicate that this smartphone chip outperforms the older Mac-specific M1 chip [2].
Mac用上iPhone芯 苹果将首次推出低价笔记本