A few months ago, Apple released the MacBook Neo , its most affordable MacBook ever. At the time, an ASUS executive admitted that the laptop came as a "shock" to the Windows PC industry, which is now in the process of responding. Acer today introduced a Swift Air 14 laptop, with U.S. pricing starting at $699. By comparison, the MacBook Neo starts at $599 with a 256GB SSD and 8GB of RAM, or at $499 for college students and educational staff. However, the MacBook Neo costs an equal $699 when configured with a doubled 512GB of storage and a Touch ID button. Powered by a new Intel Core Series 3 processor , the Swift Air 14 features a 14-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 1,920 × 1,200 pixels, up to a 512GB SSD, up to 16GB of RAM, an all-aluminum enclosure, and quad speakers with DTS:X Ultra audio. Like the MacBook Neo, the laptop supports Wi-Fi 6E. Acer's Swift Air 14 The laptop is equipped with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB-A port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, and Acer says a 70 Wh battery provides up to 19 hours of battery life for video playback and up to 16 hours of battery life for web browsing. Like the MacBook Neo, the Swift Air 14 is available in colorful finishes, including sage green, frost blue, blossom pink, and lilac purple. Acer said the Swift Air 14 will be available in North America starting in August. Meanwhile, Qualcomm this week announced the Snapdragon C , a new processor designed for "entry-tier laptops" priced at "$300 and up." Qualcomm said the processor delivers "responsive everyday performance" with "breakthrough power efficiency." The first laptops powered by the Snapdragon C are expected to launch later this year, with committed brands including Acer, HP, and Lenovo, according to Qualcomm. Qualcomm's Snapdragon C processor Indeed, Acer has previewed the Aspire Go 15 , the first laptop powered by the Snapdragon C processor. The laptop will have an "affordable" price point, but Acer did not provide specific pricing or a release date. Key specs include a 15.6-inch display with a resolution of 1,920 × 1,080 pixels, up to a 512GB SSD, up to 8GB of RAM, a 1080p webcam, two speakers, two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, one HDMI port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Acer said the Aspire Go 15 is made from 100% recyclable materials and has some components made from recycled plastic, so it sounds like the laptop will not have an all-aluminum enclosure like the MacBook Neo and the Swift Air 14. Finally, ASUS commented on the MacBook Neo again during its annual shareholders meeting today. According to Taiwan's Economic Daily News , ASUS's chairman Jonney Shih said that the company can learn from Apple's cost-efficient strategy with the MacBook Neo and views it as an opportunity. Stay tuned, he said. On an earnings call last month, Apple's CEO Tim Cook said that customer response to the MacBook Neo had been " off the charts " since its launch. Apple was very optimistic about the MacBook Neo before announcing it, but the company still "undercalled" the level of enthusiasm that the laptop would generate, according to Cook. He said that MacBook Neo demand exceeded Apple's expectations and helped to drive a record number of first-time Mac buyers last quarter. "We could not be happier with how things are going at the moment," said Cook. As for the Windows PC industry, perhaps not so much. Related Roundup: MacBook Neo Tags: Acer , Asus , Intel , Qualcomm , Windows Buyer's Guide: MacBook Neo (Buy Now) Related Forum: MacBook Neo This article, " Windows PC Industry Reacts to Apple's Most Affordable MacBook Ever " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums
A new wave of Samsung monitors is targeting Mac users with OLED panels, Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, and workstation features that Apple still doesn't offer in its own display lineup. Samsung launches next-gen Odyssey gaming and ViewFinity monitors. Image credit: Samsung Samsung's new lineup includes the 40-inch ViewFinity S8 S85TH, the 32-inch Odyssey OLED G8, and the 27-inch Odyssey OLED G8. The company built the displays for productivity and gaming, while adding features that fit naturally into MacBook, Mac mini , and Mac Studio setups. Together, the monitors target capabilities Apple still doesn't offer across its own display lineup. Apple's desktop display lineup remains limited to the Studio Display and Pro Display XDR . Apple doesn't sell an OLED desktop monitor, an ultrawide display, or a monitor with integrated KVM switching and Thunderbolt 5 docking. Samsung's latest displays target each of those categories. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
As the Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, Craig Federighi is the main guy who can alter the future of iOS, macOS, and AI for Apple. This is what you need to know about the guy with the fantastic hair. Craig Federighi - Image Credit: Apple While Tim Cook is the best-known face of Apple, Craig Federighi comes in a very close second. A long-time presenter for the company during events, especially at WWDC , he is synonymous with the company's software launches and operating system updates. That's handy, since he is Apple's Senior Vice President of Software Engineering. In that prominent role, he manages and guides the development of operating systems, apps, interface changes, and future technologies. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
