Look, an iPad Air with 256 GB of storage costs $750. dewme said:
It’s so nice to have something to look forward to these days. I felt there was something lacking from the October announcements.
I’d imagine Apple would want to resurrect the MacBook with Apple Silicon, ideally with a cellular radio (at least LTE but perhaps 5G). But who knows, people aren’t traveling as much as they used to and I always saw the MacBook’s primary appeal being traveling business people.
I may as well go crazy and say that I’d like to see Apple deliver a white plastic (or whatever it was made of - but with other colors available too) Apple Silicon version of the MacBook again, but this time with the primary focus being on serving the educational market. Something like a MacBook SE, a full frontal assault on the ChromeBook and low-end Surface market. I’d even consider putting an LTE radio in it so users/students who don’t have access to broadband at home can at least get connected via cellular networks. There has never been a time in computing history where the need to support remote learning has been more important. Hey, maybe call it the MacBook RE, for remote education. Ideally, something in the $599 (WiFi only) and $699 (WiFi + LTE) would hit a sweet spot without having to cost reduce materials or build quality.
First off, schools buy Chromebooks at bulk rates for as little as $80 a unit and rarely over $150 a unit unless their procurement people are terrible. Also even the #1 Chromebook sold commercially to consumers this year starts at $279. So offering an entry level MacBook that costs more than 5 times the ones that schools buy and twice what a rather well-built and decent performing consumer one costs accomplishes what?
Second, thinking that because the iPad Air starts at $599 you will be able to do the same with a MacBook Air is ... strange. Say the "remote learning edition" only requires 64 GB of storage. Since it won't be doing much in the way of local processing, what on earth would be the purpose of an A14 chip and macOS on what is going to be a cloudbook anyway? But I will grant that to you. You will also need a 13.3' Retina screen instead of a 10.9' screen (costs more even though it isn't touchscreen), a keyboard with trackpad and 2 USB-C ports. You are right back at $749 easy. And that is with 64 GB storage. At 256 GB you would have ... what a MacBook Air currently costs. Or just about.
People, please quit speculating that Apple is going to save all this money by dumping an Intel Core i3 chip that is in Windows and ChromeOS 2-in-1s (meaning 1080p touchscreens with 270' hinge bodies) that cost like $550, and cost $450 for devices that match the MBA form factor (nontouch screens and traditional clamshell hinges). If anything, the 5nm A14 costs more than what Intel charges for their 10nm Core i3.
So you're saying that middle and high school students are getting by with $80 Chromebooks? If this is true, then I can see why Apple wouldn't want to venture into that market. Apple can afford to lose a little to further its educational initiatives, but I don't see them going after the $80 Chromebooks. I'm not a Chromebook expert, but when I look at reviews like this one (https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-chromebooks-for-kids) a $599 MacBook that's a full fledged computer seems within reach of some folks who are willing to spend nearly as much for a better quality Chromebook.
I never said anything about a MacBook Air, I'm talking something akin to the old (now discontinued) white plastic MacBook, but in multiple colors. I do think there is a place for an "SE" flavor of MacBook, just like there is an iPhone SE. There's no need to cripple it with 64 GB storage. I have nothing against iPad, but it's still not equivalent to macOS, especially as an entry level or middle/high school educational platform.
There's a reason I said "crazy," because there are times when applying conventional wisdom can talk you out of going after new opportunities. Apple obviously does not need to do anything in certain segments of the educational sector to continue to rake in boatloads of profits across its whole business. We've seen that some educators have continued to make big iPad purchases in spite of Apple's inability to compete at all in some sectors against Chromebooks. But at some point, Apple may decide that there are parts of the market where they'll have to temper their profit expectations and make some concessions in order to attract new customers to their ecosystem, preferably at an early age where the customer lifetime value ROI has its greatest potential. If they can do that while helping to mitigate some of the effects of an existential problem, all the better.
The real problem, as I see it, is people seem to be driven more by price than by quality. I have always been a follower of the "you get what you pay for" perspective. There is a reason the kids in school refer to Chromebooks as Crapbooks. My 15 year old G3 iBook has a much better screen than the junk Chromebooks the (our) schools are using. We ended up purchasing a 27" iMac for our kids to use when they are doing schoolwork from home. Seeing my oldest son spending 10 hours a day hunched over with his face 12 inches from a tiny, poor quality screen was not acceptable. If our schools end up going full remote we will purchase a second one.
Personally, I believe Apple should pursue the education market. However, I realize it would largely be a loss without either a change in the mindset at the school level or a reduction in the quality of the hardware (resulting in a reduction in price). That said, I am also an advocate of books, not screens.
I’d imagine Apple would want to resurrect the MacBook with Apple Silicon... But who knows, people aren’t traveling as much as they used to and I always saw the MacBook’s primary appeal being traveling business people.
I may as well go crazy and say that I’d like to see Apple deliver a white plastic (or whatever it was made of - but with other colors available too)... Education market... Something like a MacBook SE, a full frontal assault on the ChromeBook and low-end Surface market.
I, am excited about an ASi MacBook but I didn't factor in the lack of travel as a reason for Apple to not choose this form factor for update. I hope that the education market is their target... Colors beyond the 3 standards would be great (but don't go as far as the candy-colored iMac).
Anecdotally, 2 of my brothers are Windows guys moving to Mac. An entry level ASi MacBook / MacMini or such is a great way to make the switch -- now that they are retired. The other end of the market. Better late than never.
Apple announces Apple Silicon Mac special event for November 10
Another clickbait AI headline — Apple has announced no such thing.
Yes, we may hope/pray/expect this to be the Si product reveal, but Apple has not announced that.
They hinted so strongly that it’s obvious to everyone, with a couple of exceptions. The folding logo was a pretty obvious giveaway, as it was intended to be.
Apple announces Apple Silicon Mac special event for November 10
Another clickbait AI headline — Apple has announced no such thing.
Yes, we may hope/pray/expect this to be the Si product reveal, but Apple has not announced that.
They hinted so strongly that it’s obvious to everyone, with a couple of exceptions. The folding logo was a pretty obvious giveaway, as it was intended to be.
And they said there will be an ASi Mac before the end of the calendar year. For Apple to lead people on and the deliver nothing with the 3rd event in as many months would be a historically bad move.
It’s possible the form factors for all three will remain exactly the same, with ASi being a build-to-order option (or, more likely, Intel will be the option, with ASi as the default).
All three of these have recently been updated, so their architecture could well have always accounted for ASi systems.
What better way to demonstrate the superiority of Apple Silicon — take the exact same computer, but with ASi it’s faster, with better battery life, better graphics, and a lower price?
Just a little side note that the acronym ASi is a fairly common moniker in the industrial networking world for the AS-interface field bus protocol. It’s been around since the late 1980s and is still in widespread use and is in fact it’s an IEC international standard device level network. I am very familiar with AS-interface. The ASi moniker is not to my knowledge a trademark of the protocol, AS-interface is, but ASi is widely used to refer to the protocol.
There’s also a company with the name ASi Networks that has nothing to do with the ASi standard and there is even an app in the App Store called ASi, which from its ratings looks to be unpopular.
Just curious whether Apple has indicated any intentions to use the ASi moniker or is this something that someone just made up? I haven’t seen anything yet to indicate the Apple will assign any new branding identities to its Macs with Apple Silicon processors. Maybe we’ll find out soon.
Just a little side note that the acronym ASi is a fairly common moniker in the industrial networking world for the AS-interface field bus protocol. It’s been around since the late 1980s and is still in widespread use and is in fact it’s an IEC international standard device level network. I am very familiar with AS-interface. The ASi moniker is not to my knowledge a trademark of the protocol, AS-interface is, but ASi is widely used to refer to the protocol.
There’s also a company with the name ASi Networks that has nothing to do with the ASi standard and there is even an app in the App Store called ASi, which from its ratings looks to be unpopular.
Just curious whether Apple has indicated any intentions to use the ASi moniker or is this something that someone just made up? I haven’t seen anything yet to indicate the Apple will assign any new branding identities to its Macs with Apple Silicon processors. Maybe we’ll find out soon.
Interesting—it seems to have caught on, but I don’t think Apple itself has used it as such. Their current naming system, where “Apple TV” and “tv” are acceptable but other variations are not, would point to “Apple silicon” and maybe “Si” but not “ASi” ...
In the current documentation, it is “Apple silicon” not “Apple Silicon” (except in titles) ...
Just a little side note that the acronym ASi is a fairly common moniker in the industrial networking world for the AS-interface field bus protocol. It’s been around since the late 1980s and is still in widespread use and is in fact it’s an IEC international standard device level network. I am very familiar with AS-interface. The ASi moniker is not to my knowledge a trademark of the protocol, AS-interface is, but ASi is widely used to refer to the protocol.
There’s also a company with the name ASi Networks that has nothing to do with the ASi standard and there is even an app in the App Store called ASi, which from its ratings looks to be unpopular.
Just curious whether Apple has indicated any intentions to use the ASi moniker or is this something that someone just made up? I haven’t seen anything yet to indicate the Apple will assign any new branding identities to its Macs with Apple Silicon processors. Maybe we’ll find out soon.
Interesting—it seems to have caught on, but I don’t think Apple itself has used it as such. Their current naming system, where “Apple TV” and “tv” are acceptable but other variations are not, would point to “Apple silicon” and maybe “Si” but not “ASi” ...
In the current documentation, it is “Apple silicon” not “Apple Silicon” (except in titles) ...
There’s always the possibility that Apple will assign product family names to differentiate different classes of Apple Silicon based processors, kind of like Intel does with Core, Atom, Pentium, etc., and AMD does with Ryzan, Athlon, etc. This is uncharted territory for Apple so we’ll have to wait and see how they decide to spin it. They may simply stick with the “Axx” moniker to keep things simple and with no intentions to sell their chipsets externally.
Isn't the light coming out of the Apple "bite" the light from a movie projector? New Apple TV?
If so, might we see an Apple TV with A14 chip and LIDAR, it can project video onto any wall with auto focus and angle correction, plus it can project a hologram (3D)? Yup, makes way more sense than a dual boot (via boot camp) macOS iOS MacBook on Apple silicon
Isn't the light coming out of the Apple "bite" the light from a movie projector? New Apple TV?
If so, might we see an Apple TV with A14 chip and LIDAR, it can project video onto any wall with auto focus and angle correction, plus it can project a hologram (3D)? Yup, makes way more sense than a dual boot (via boot camp) macOS iOS MacBook on Apple silicon
It’s possible the form factors for all three will remain exactly the same, with ASi being a build-to-order option (or, more likely, Intel will be the option, with ASi as the default).
All three of these have recently been updated, so their architecture could well have always accounted for ASi systems.
What better way to demonstrate the superiority of Apple Silicon — take the exact same computer, but with ASi it’s faster, with better battery life, better graphics, and a lower price?
Possible? Yes. Likely? No. Given Apple's history (68K to PPC and PPC to x86) it is very doubtful Apple will give consumers a choice in this matter. Personally, I wish they would give us (their customers) a choice like this. I find Apple not giving us a choice both understandable and irritating. Regardless, it is what it is.
Imagine a world where Apple offered choices in these matters... We might still have Macs with floppy disc drives. We might still have Macs with optical drives. We might still have Macs with upgradeable industry standard SSDs We might still have Macs with Nvidia video cards. We might have Macs running 8 core 68090 CPUs... Well... Maybe not. :-)
Apple is a very cocksure company and does not like to have their decisions repudiated by their pesky customers. Imagine if Apple were to offer this choice and the customer base went 90 to 10 in favor of Intel.
It’s possible the form factors for all three will remain exactly the same, with ASi being a build-to-order option (or, more likely, Intel will be the option, with ASi as the default).
All three of these have recently been updated, so their architecture could well have always accounted for ASi systems.
What better way to demonstrate the superiority of Apple Silicon — take the exact same computer, but with ASi it’s faster, with better battery life, better graphics, and a lower price?
That’s what it looks like. Apparently, if remors are true, the three models we’re hearing about, bothe Macbook Pro models and the Air, will have the same form factors as present machines, and next year’s models will have at least a fair redesign.
as far as form factor goes, it’s really hard to see what major changers Apple can make, other than slightly thinner and lighter, maybe slightly smaller borders. Mini LED screens, but that could be done with any model, x86 or Apple’s chips, so that wouldn’t really be an Apple Silicon design factor, even if it comes with those machines.
i’d like to replace my really ancient 2009 Macbook Pro I use as my audio/video server, which still works really well. It was what I bought my daughter the first year of college that year. But it’s already two OS versions behind, and newer software won’t work well. I was go8ng to get the 2003 model I bought her that year, but she’s in Texas these days, and hasn’t gotten to send it when I got here the new 16 this year.
so, I’m due. Question is, do I want a first AS model, or can I wait for a redesign next year, which could be mid year, if Apple wants to do this quickly, or late next year? I don’t know, but maybe I will when I see what’s out the 10th.
inthink a lot of people are going to be torn over the same thing.
Just a little side note that the acronym ASi is a fairly common moniker in the industrial networking world for the AS-interface field bus protocol. It’s been around since the late 1980s and is still in widespread use and is in fact it’s an IEC international standard device level network. I am very familiar with AS-interface. The ASi moniker is not to my knowledge a trademark of the protocol, AS-interface is, but ASi is widely used to refer to the protocol.
There’s also a company with the name ASi Networks that has nothing to do with the ASi standard and there is even an app in the App Store called ASi, which from its ratings looks to be unpopular.
Just curious whether Apple has indicated any intentions to use the ASi moniker or is this something that someone just made up? I haven’t seen anything yet to indicate the Apple will assign any new branding identities to its Macs with Apple Silicon processors. Maybe we’ll find out soon.
It’s thought that Apple Silicon is a placeholder, and that Apple will have a “real” name for their new chips, so I wouldn’t worry about it until the 10th.dewme said:
Just a little side note that the acronym ASi is a fairly common moniker in the industrial networking world for the AS-interface field bus protocol. It’s been around since the late 1980s and is still in widespread use and is in fact it’s an IEC international standard device level network. I am very familiar with AS-interface. The ASi moniker is not to my knowledge a trademark of the protocol, AS-interface is, but ASi is widely used to refer to the protocol.
There’s also a company with the name ASi Networks that has nothing to do with the ASi standard and there is even an app in the App Store called ASi, which from its ratings looks to be unpopular.
Just curious whether Apple has indicated any intentions to use the ASi moniker or is this something that someone just made up? I haven’t seen anything yet to indicate the Apple will assign any new branding identities to its Macs with Apple Silicon processors. Maybe we’ll find out soon.
Interesting—it seems to have caught on, but I don’t think Apple itself has used it as such. Their current naming system, where “Apple TV” and “tv” are acceptable but other variations are not, would point to “Apple silicon” and maybe “Si” but not “ASi” ...
In the current documentation, it is “Apple silicon” not “Apple Silicon” (except in titles) ...
There’s always the possibility that Apple will assign product family names to differentiate different classes of Apple Silicon based processors, kind of like Intel does with Core, Atom, Pentium, etc., and AMD does with Ryzan, Athlon, etc. This is uncharted territory for Apple so we’ll have to wait and see how they decide to spin it. They may simply stick with the “Axx” moniker to keep things simple and with no intentions to sell their chipsets externally.
I’m pretty sure that the A simply stands for Apple. If so, it’s likely that their new chips will also start with A. Other than that, I don’t think it means anything, such as their first series of chips.
Comments
Personally, I believe Apple should pursue the education market. However, I realize it would largely be a loss without either a change in the mindset at the school level or a reduction in the quality of the hardware (resulting in a reduction in price). That said, I am also an advocate of books, not screens.
Yes, we may hope/pray/expect this to be the Si product reveal, but Apple has not announced that.
Anecdotally, 2 of my brothers are Windows guys moving to Mac. An entry level ASi MacBook / MacMini or such is a great way to make the switch -- now that they are retired. The other end of the market. Better late than never.
All three of these have recently been updated, so their architecture could well have always accounted for ASi systems.
What better way to demonstrate the superiority of Apple Silicon — take the exact same computer, but with ASi it’s faster, with better battery life, better graphics, and a lower price?
In the current documentation, it is “Apple silicon” not “Apple Silicon” (except in titles) ...
If so, might we see an Apple TV with A14 chip and LIDAR, it can project video onto any wall with auto focus and angle correction, plus it can project a hologram (3D)? Yup, makes way more sense than a dual boot (via boot camp) macOS iOS MacBook on Apple silicon
Given Apple's history (68K to PPC and PPC to x86) it is very doubtful Apple will give consumers a choice in this matter. Personally, I wish they would give us (their customers) a choice like this. I find Apple not giving us a choice both understandable and irritating. Regardless, it is what it is.
Imagine a world where Apple offered choices in these matters...
We might still have Macs with floppy disc drives.
We might still have Macs with optical drives.
We might still have Macs with upgradeable industry standard SSDs
We might still have Macs with Nvidia video cards.
We might have Macs running 8 core 68090 CPUs... Well... Maybe not. :-)
Apple is a very cocksure company and does not like to have their decisions repudiated by their pesky customers. Imagine if Apple were to offer this choice and the customer base went 90 to 10 in favor of Intel.
So I repeat:
Possible? Yes. Likely? No.
as far as form factor goes, it’s really hard to see what major changers Apple can make, other than slightly thinner and lighter, maybe slightly smaller borders. Mini LED screens, but that could be done with any model, x86 or Apple’s chips, so that wouldn’t really be an Apple Silicon design factor, even if it comes with those machines.
i’d like to replace my really ancient 2009 Macbook Pro I use as my audio/video server, which still works really well. It was what I bought my daughter the first year of college that year. But it’s already two OS versions behind, and newer software won’t work well. I was go8ng to get the 2003 model I bought her that year, but she’s in Texas these days, and hasn’t gotten to send it when I got here the new 16 this year.
so, I’m due. Question is, do I want a first AS model, or can I wait for a redesign next year, which could be mid year, if Apple wants to do this quickly, or late next year? I don’t know, but maybe I will when I see what’s out the 10th.
inthink a lot of people are going to be torn over the same thing.
It’s thought that Apple Silicon is a placeholder, and that Apple will have a “real” name for their new chips, so I wouldn’t worry about it until the 10th.dewme said: I’m pretty sure that the A simply stands for Apple. If so, it’s likely that their new chips will also start with A. Other than that, I don’t think it means anything, such as their first series of chips.