HACKER Q&A
📣 tosh

Will Apple release cheaper Macs?


I was wondering as Apple moves to use their own SoCs would it be possible for them to lower prices?

For reference: the current Intel-based Mac mini starts at $799 while the iPhone SE (A13) starts at $399.


  👤 sircastor Accepted Answer ✓
Apple's pricing of their hardware has almost always been a premium model. The component cost rarely correlates with the sticker price. Some of that is due to brand, but Apple also spends a lot of R&D working on manufacturing techniques.

I think the most standout price for Macs was the original Mac Mini, which was just $500. That was mostly an effort to get Windows users to switch platforms.

In short, I don't think Apple Silicon machines are going to result in a lower price. I think the higher price tags are part of Apple's culture at this point.


👤 klelatti
The new Macs will be somewhat cheaper to make and Apple will want to build market share to support Mac SoC development costs but question I think is whether they can do so without damaging their ability to charge prices similar to current level for their premium products.

So they need something that distinguishes from current range as body style does for SE vs iPhone 11.


👤 karmakaze
Cheaper to build? Yes.

Lower prices, why? Apple wants their Mac line to have higher profit margins like their more successful products.

Apple may well have a wider lineup like a MacBook SE but then you're getting less.