One of the biggest mysteries leading up to the MacBook Neo's release was its price. We'd seen various estimates in the $599 to $799 , and while we were certainly hoping for the lower figure, seasoned Apple watchers weren't necessarily expecting it.
See also: Former Microsoft executive reviews the MacBook Neo
The reaction to the price was universally positive, especially as it breaks the $500 barrier for educational users. School and college students can purchase the device for as little as $499.
This is great news for anyone looking to buy a Mac on a budget, but it's even better news for Apple's long-term future. As Macworld, the company has just created a whole new generation of Mac users.
Until now, there was no truly affordable MacBook that parents and schools could justify for kids – the cheapest Apple laptop started at $999 with the MacBook Air. Starting at just $499 for education, the Neo targets this untapped market for the first time. Soon, many students will either use a MacBook Neo or request one.
Sure, $500 is nothing and there will be some families who can't afford it and will stick with a cheaper Chromebook or a basic Windows machine. But many more families can afford to buy a MacBook Neo for their kids than a MacBook Air that costs over $1,000. We'll see parents buying this machine for their college-going kids for sure, and a good chunk of high school students as well.
See also: The second-generation MacBook Neo will not have a touchscreen
Way back in the 1980s, the author of In Search of Excellence, Tom Peters, wrote about the concept of a customer’s lifetime value. Lifetime Value (LV) or Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) is a way of thinking about the total profit a company will make over the lifetime of a loyal customer if it can keep them happy. This is a very different mindset than thinking only about a current day’s sale.
At 20, Johnny buys his first iPhone Pro model for $999. He also gets his first Apple Watch for $399. At 23, Johnny does a lot of video editing and decides it's time for a MacBook Pro. It's the base model, but he upgrades the memory for $1,899. He also upgrades his iPhone to the latest Pro model, choosing to increase storage for $1,299.
From that point onward, Johnny upgrades his iPhone and AirPods every three years (now buying AirPods Pro), his Apple Watch every four years, and his MacBook Pro every six years.
See also: MacBook Neo available for pickup at physical Apple Stores
I believe I have been realistic in my calculations – and in reality I probably underestimate its value for Apple through all the new products the company will introduce during its lifespan and which it will add to its Apple device portfolio.
