AppleInsider reports that, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of Concord Securities, Apple may be removing the (now) classic white MacBook from its lineup as early as this fall. The white, polycarbonate, unibody MacBook, currently starting at $999, has served as the entry level Mac notebook computer since it was launched in 2006. Kuo predicts that the MacBook Air, which also starts at $999, could be the logical replacement.
Kuo reports that Apple's internal forecast for shipments of the white MacBook has a significant drop-off beginning this August, which is the basis for his belief that the unit will go "end of life."
Kuo also reports that shipments of the white MacBook have fallen during the first half of 2011, and currently represent less than 10 percent of Apple's total Mac shipments.
Whether or not the MacBook Air, without an optical drive and with less hard drive space, can serve as the entry level Mac notebook remains to be seen. But we suspect that killing the white MacBook would be a very black day for many Apple fans, and change the look of coffee shops and college campuses around the world.
Adrian Hoppel
July 20, 2011 at 6:08am
The white MacBook is gone, as of this morning. MBA is now the entry level Mac Notebook.
sleazefrenzy
July 20, 2011 at 4:19am
I think it would be a very big lost opportunity to discontinue the white Macbook. It's perfect as a student model. They could significantly drop the price of a plastic Macbook and make it the ultimate student must have. With low outdated specs and no pricey aluminium enclosure or SSD hard drive, it cuts out the fancy stuff that students wouldn't want to pay for, all they need is a cheap no nonsense system with reliable Mas OS running out of the box.
It would be nice if they released them in a variety of colours too, again increasing their student chic appeal, as well as a throw back to the iBook Clamshells and an era of Apple design that wasn't so drab and business oriented as it is now.
SABOND21
July 19, 2011 at 7:10pm
I think it's logic step, because next generation of MBA will replace it - new processor, SSD and price (I believe)
ZD26
July 19, 2011 at 2:07pm
Absolutely no way is this true… has anyone been in a school lately? K-12 have carts of the things by the dozens and they are everywhere in universities. I know calling the 13 inch aluminum model a Pro is a joke, but this is even worse. What would a Pro model be if there was nothing but Pros and anorexic MacBook Airs?
Adrian Hoppel
July 19, 2011 at 3:30pm
Personally, I hope there is no way this is true. My white MacBook is my goto, and I would hate to see it dissappeared from the product line.
shanecbryson
July 19, 2011 at 1:27pm
TERRIBLE MOVE. The MacBook Air is honestly a joke's worth of feature set and this would hurt Apple. Please Steve, think this one out a bit more. If you want to do something with the entry level MacBook, bring back the black one in the new unibody polycarbonate fashion.
brandonwalkermedia
July 19, 2011 at 7:33pm
your honestly a joke! First the MBA is one of Apple's best sellers*. Second the average person (school) has no need for a DiskDrive anymore, If you need one theres AirDrive for $70**. Thirdly most people love the fact that the MBA is really light, it also makes perfect sense for a business user who Travel's a lot***. Bottom line if you want a mac to be average and a DiskDrive built-in but a MBP! That said they should keep the choice, but hay it's there business!
Sources:* Apple's 2nd/3rd Q sell's report. **I own a MBA/MBP/MP. ***I'm a business owner.
shanecbryson
July 19, 2011 at 1:27pm
TERRIBLE MOVE. The MacBook Air is honestly a joke's worth of feature set and this would hurt Apple. Please Steve, think this one out a bit more. If you want to do something with the entry level MacBook, bring back the black one in the new unibody polycarbonate fashion.
