Post #1626106
2026-03-22 13:38 UTC
@cstross @graydon no, I didn't, because these aren't "not good enough" SoCs. These are just phone parts not going into phones that aren't selling because the upgrade isn't compelling. Using cheap parts with it ALSO damages Apple's vaunted 'high end' image, even more than the budget price. So their margins out of the gate are razor thin or non-existent. And all they're doing is cannibalizing the market for high margin base model Macbooks.
Replies (1)
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@rootwyrm@weird.autos 2026-03-22 13:52
@cstross @graydon case in point, *you*. Would you pay $1099 for a Macbook Air 13" when a Neo costs half that and covers your needs? Of course you'd buy the Neo. Would you buy a Mac Mini where you'll also need to buy a monitor, keyboard, and mouse at $599+, or the 'good enough' Neo? The salesdroid is going to push those customers to the Neo too. And that 'high end' LCD and keyboard erases margins in an instant. Macbooks and Minis are >30% margin; the Neo has to be <10% and likely <5%.