Tell me Apple, where are the MacBook and iPad SE?
It all started with the iPhone SE, followed four years later by the Apple Watch SE. But where is a MacBook SE or an iPad SE? I'm going to look into the exciting question today in the current issue of the weekend column.
iPhone SE as a model for MacBook and iPad
With the iPhone SE, Apple had a surprise success six years ago, the 3rd generation of which is already in the starting blocks and will probably also be presented at the upcoming Apple event. The idea behind the "Special Edition" is obvious: Take mature, older technology and combine it with modern "innards" - i.e. a current chip and soon also with a 5G modem. It's a similar story with the Apple Watch SE, also a hybrid of new and old parts.
The concept works, both for Apple and for the customers. The manufacturer keeps its development costs low and maximizes profits. In return, the buyers receive tried-and-tested technology and don't have to worry about being used as guinea pigs - a classic win-win situation. So why not transfer these to other product categories? Yes, actually why not?
Doesn't mean that, but it's actually been an "iPad SE" for a long time:
Apple already has good and cheap ones, just not always called that
Perhaps because these SE versions are already available from Apple, but the manufacturer has not yet named them as such. For example, the 9th generation iPad, unveiled in Fall 2021, could also pass as "iPad SE" (see Amazon). A single hodgepodge of proven technology at a low cost price - still with the old home button, but also with a contemporary True Tone display and even the center stage camera of the iPad Pro.
Or how about a MacBook Pro SE? There's already one, just not called that. I'm talking about the 13-inch entry-level model - current M1 chip, the rest still comes from the Intel predecessor. Reports even predict this consistency for the coming generation, because the successor should actually only have the chip (M2) replaced.
My thoughts for the weekend: The column aims to provide food for thought and reflect on the week's "news flood" towards the end. A small selection of previous articles in the column:
Germany without Facebook and WhatsApp: I bet you don't dare Hey Amazon, your credit card chaos is making me nervous iPhone 14: Three mistakes that Apple must avoid at all costsOr how about a MacBook Air SE? Could be real soon when Apple introduces the redesigned model with M2 chip, but keeps the current model in the program for cost reasons. This would then more or less also become an SE version.
My opinion: Actually, Apple should only be consistent and use the SE label for the models already mentioned and use it for marketing. This would serve to improve clarity in the product portfolio and avoid confusion for the customer. The "SE" already stands for good and cheap, a label that buyers are happy to use as a guide. Apple just needs to be aware of this and finally put some order into it.
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