Apple Eyes Sub-$1,000 Laptop Market Amid Chromebook Saturation

TLDRs;

• Apple is developing a budget Mac laptop under $1,000, set to launch in early 2025.
• The new Mac targets students, schools, and businesses amid Chromebook market saturation and slowing growth.
• It will use an iPhone-grade processor and lower-end display to cut costs while maintaining macOS functionality.
• The move signals Apple’s shift toward affordability, aiming to reclaim ground in classrooms and budget-conscious workplaces.

Apple is reportedly developing its first-ever budget Mac laptop in a move that could reshape the low-cost PC landscape dominated by Chromebooks.

According to sources familiar with tha matter, the Cupertino-based company is testing and assembling prototypes of a new Mac aimed at students, educators, and casual users, a segment long underserved by Apple’s traditionally premium lineup.

Sources close to the development say the device is planned for launch in the first half of 2025, marking Apple’s strongest push yet into the sub-$1,000 market. The laptop will use a smartphone-grade processor, derived from the iPhone’s chip line, and feature a lower-end LCD display, differentiating it from the MacBook Air and Pro ranges.

Chromebook Growth Nears Saturation

Apple’s timing is strategic. Data from education procurement studies show that 93% of U.S. school districts plan 2025 device purchases, but Chromebook demand has reached near saturation. Chromebooks currently dominate 52.4% of the North American K-12 market, with many schools now operating on rolling refresh cycles, regularly replacing older devices rather than scaling up new purchases.

With local and state funding replacing federal emergency programs, schools have more flexibility in choosing devices that fit their budgets and digital strategies. However, Apple’s reported pricing, still well above most Chromebooks, which typically retail for $250–$400, may limit its reach in cost-sensitive markets.

Still, a sub-$1,000 Mac could attract districts seeking longer device lifespans, tighter integration with iPads, and consistent macOS performance for classroom creativity apps. Apple’s presence in schools, once eroded by Chromebooks, could see renewed relevance if the company aligns its pricing and distribution with district procurement cycles in 2025.

Corporate and Classroom Device Management Shifts

Beyond education, Apple’s budget Mac could tap into the growing corporate market for cross-platform device ecosystems. Chromebook use in enterprise environments is growing at an 8.2% compound annual rate, according to industry data. Many businesses now deploy mixed fleets, Chrome OS for cloud-first roles and macOS or Windows for creative and technical functions.

This hybrid environment has driven demand for Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) tools, platforms that let IT teams manage Chrome OS, macOS, and Windows devices from one console. Vendors that support Apple’s upcoming budget Mac will be well-positioned to attract organizations seeking flexibility without increasing IT overhead.

At the same time, Mobile Device Management (MDM) providers are adapting lifecycle tools to accommodate Apple’s entry-level hardware. Given Google’s 10-year automatic update policy for Chromebooks, Apple will need to offer similar long-term support guarantees to compete on total cost of ownership.

Apple’s Strategic Pivot Toward Affordability

For decades, Apple’s brand has been synonymous with high-end design and premium pricing. Yet global PC dynamics are shifting. As schools and enterprises diversify their hardware portfolios, Apple faces mounting pressure to reach users it historically priced out.

A lower-cost Mac would not only expand Apple’s user base but also strengthen its ecosystem by driving adoption of iCloud, Apple ID, and productivity apps among new customers.

The move mirrors Apple’s strategy with the iPhone SE,  a lower-priced model that boosted market share without diluting the brand’s perceived quality.

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