A brief history of surprisingly cheap Apple products

"The MacBook Neo's press release calls its $599 starting price a breakthrough, and it is. Or at least it's a landmark in the history of cheap Apple stuff. In the past, MacBooks have often dipped below $1,000, but this one will be accessible to Windows users who might never have even considered buying a Mac until now."

"For schools, the Neo starts at $499, giving Apple a shot at chipping away at the Google Chromebook's huge market share in education. (Until now, the iPad has borne the brunt of that effort.) Apple's association with premium experiences at premium prices is so enduring that it's easy to lose track of the fact that it's not the whole story."

Apple announced multiple products over three days via press release rather than a traditional keynote event. Most announcements were incremental updates including the iPhone 17e, iPad Air, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and displays. The standout announcement was the MacBook Neo, priced at $599 for consumers and $499 for schools. This represents Apple's most affordable MacBook offering and a landmark achievement in accessible Apple products. The Neo targets Windows users considering their first Mac purchase and aims to compete with Google Chromebooks in education markets. Apple's history includes other affordable products like the Mac Mini, demonstrating the company's occasional commitment to lower-priced offerings alongside its premium brand positioning.

Read at Fast Company