According to Techmeme, Google removed 749 million URLs linked to Anna’s Archive, a popular shadow library for pirated books, representing about 5% of all takedown requests over copyright claims. Meanwhile, Apple is reportedly testing a new low-cost Mac priced under $1,000 that uses iPhone-class chips instead of M-series processors. The device would still outperform early M1 Macs while expanding Apple’s entry-level Mac lineup without hurting Air and Pro average selling prices. Analyst Austin Lyons suggests this could be the oft-rumored everyday low-priced MacBook finally materializing. This development comes after Apple pulled out of automotive projects, slow-rolled XR development, and avoided entering smart-home and ring markets.
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The Budget Mac Gamble
Here’s the thing – Apple has been allergic to cheap for decades. They’re the luxury brand that made computing aspirational. But the market’s changed. People are stretching their budgets thin, and Chromebooks have eaten the education space that Apple once dominated. A sub-$1,000 Mac that actually performs well? That could be huge.
And using iPhone-class chips is actually brilliant when you think about it. Apple’s A-series processors have been absolute monsters for years. They’re more than capable of handling basic computing tasks, and Apple already has the manufacturing scale to produce them efficiently. Basically, they’re repurposing existing technology to hit a price point they’ve never seriously targeted before.
Who Loses Here?
If Apple actually pulls this off, the entire sub-$1,000 laptop market gets turned upside down. Chromebook makers should be sweating. Windows laptop vendors in that price range should be terrified. Even iPad sales might take a hit – why buy a tablet with a keyboard when you can get a real Mac for similar money?
But the real question is whether Apple can maintain their margins while playing in the budget space. They’ve trained consumers to expect premium pricing, and suddenly entering the value segment could create brand confusion. Then again, maybe they’ve realized that getting people into the ecosystem early is worth sacrificing some margin on the hardware.
Why Now Makes Sense
Look at Apple’s recent moves – or lack thereof. The car project died. Vision Pro is a niche product for early adopters. They’re not making smart home devices or fitness rings. As Austin Lyons noted, cheap Macs might be one of the few near-term demand levers they have left.
And honestly, it’s about time. The MacBook Air starts at $999, but that’s before taxes and any upgrades. A truly affordable Mac could open up the platform to students, budget-conscious families, and emerging markets. It’s a market Apple has largely ceded to competitors, and with iPhone growth slowing, they need new growth engines.
Meanwhile, The Copyright Wars Continue
While Apple considers democratizing access to hardware, Google’s taking the opposite approach with content. 749 million URLs removed is staggering – that’s not just a few pirate sites, that’s systematic takedown of an entire shadow library ecosystem. Anna’s Archive has become the go-to for people seeking knowledge they can’t afford or access through legitimate channels.
It creates this weird tension in tech right now. On one hand, companies want to make hardware more accessible. On the other, they’re cracking down hard on content sharing. What good is a cheap computer if the information you want to access is locked behind paywalls or completely unavailable? The infrastructure for learning and creation is becoming more affordable, but the actual knowledge? That’s another story entirely.
