Core Viewpoint - Apple is preparing to enter the low-cost laptop market with a budget version of the Mac aimed at consumers currently using Chromebooks and entry-level Windows laptops [1][2]. Group 1: Product Development - The new device, codenamed J700, is in active testing and has entered early production stages with overseas suppliers, aiming for a launch in the first half of next year [1]. - The laptop will be priced below $1,000 by using lower-cost components, featuring an iPhone processor and a smaller LCD screen than the MacBook Air [2]. - This will mark the first time Apple uses an iPhone processor in a Mac, although internal tests indicate that the performance of this smartphone chip surpasses that of the older M1 chip [2]. Group 2: Market Strategy - Apple's strategic shift comes in response to the rising threat from Chromebooks, which are gaining market share in North America [1]. - The new Mac's price point will be competitive with Apple's entry-level iPad, which is popular in the education sector, potentially attracting students and general consumers [3]. - Currently, Apple holds about 9% of the global PC market, ranking fourth behind Lenovo, HP, and Dell, all of which sell Windows or ChromeOS devices [3]. Group 3: Financial Performance - The Mac business has become Apple's fastest-growing hardware segment, with revenue growth of 13% reaching $8.73 billion last quarter [3]. - Future product plans include multiple new releases by 2026, such as the low-cost Mac, the M5 MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips [4].