The upcoming Worldwide Developer Conference is just around the corner and Apple is gearing up to unveil its latest MacBook laptops. People anticipate the new models to come packed with cutting-edge technology, improved hardware, and the next iteration of macOS.
Price Point
The price point of the MacBook Air M2 at WWDC last year was an interesting aspect to note. Historically, Apple positioned the Air as the entry-level model during the era of Intel-powered MacBooks, pricing it at $999. However, when the new model arrived, Apple discontinued the older version and replaced it with the newer hardware at the same $999 price point.
This is one of the primary reasons why individuals were hesitant to purchase a new MacBook close to significant events. Why should you invest in technology that is nearly two years old when newer hardware is about to substitute it? It appears that history is repeating itself, and the same scenario is likely to occur once more.
New Updates
People anticipate that the upcoming WWDC 2023 event will place significant emphasis on Tim Cook’s latest endeavour in the realm of AR and VR, with the introduction of RealityOS and potentially an expensive “concept” headset. However, the customary announcement of updated operating systems and new Apple Silicon chipsets will also be a part of the conference. Consequently, the Mac platform is expected to witness the unveiling of the M3 chipset.
Based on historical trends and information sourced from various Apple supply chains, it is likely that a similar pattern will repeat this year. This includes a MacBook Air powered by the M3 chipset taking the lead in the mobile category, an unexplained M3 MacBook Pro variant for those who prefer the “Pro” label on their laptop, and a Mac Mini designed for desktop use.
Price
This brings up an intriguing point about pricing. It’s improbable that Apple would increase the price of the initial M3-powered MacBook Air by $200 in addition to the current M2 model; that premium would presumably be reserved for the much-anticipated 15-inch MacBook Air. Following the Taniyama-Shimura conjecture, people expect Apple to position the Air M3 at the current price point of $1199. If that happens, the Air M2 would fall to the attractive $999 price tag, which is psychologically appealing, and Apple would discontinue the Air M1.
Undoubtedly, Apple Silicon has revolutionized the performance of the Mac lineup, particularly at the high end. Despite the absence of an Apple Silicon-powered Mac Pro, the technology is powerful enough for everyday usage on the lower end of the market. The MacBook Air is an excellent starting point, as it offers significantly fewer compromises than its Intel-based predecessors.
We can expect the MacBook Air M2 to become the new entry-level machine with the upcoming release of the MacBook Air M3. Offering 20% more power than the M1 Air, the M2 will be available for $200 less than the current price tag.
Under Tim Cook’s leadership, Apple’s focus on pushing hardware to the cutting edge has completely redefined the notion of a high-end Mac. This approach has also resulted in lower-specced MacBooks having more potential than ever before in Apple’s illustrious history.
