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The Korean publicationThe Elecreported that switching from LCD to OLED would increase prices.
Still, Apple does not consider an upgraded display “attractive enough to lead to consumer purchases.”
The Elect doesn’t say how far out Apple is pushing an OLED MacBook Air.
Presumably, an upgraded Air would follow in 2027.
Earlier this year, Apple launched anew iPad Profeaturing an upgraded M4 chip and an OLED screen.
It was a deep cut when expectations were for closer to 10 million tablets shipped this year.
Adding accessories like the new Apple Pencil and updated Magic Keyboard pushes that number closer to $2,000.
The M3-powered MacBook Air costs $1099, even with the doubled RAM.
LCDs are 10% of the price.
Presumably, OLED would raise that percentage even more.
Cheaper rivals
Apple also faces competition from Windows-based laptops of similar builds that already feature OLED displays.
It also gives us an idea of how much more an OLED display could cost.
But there are reasonable, comparable laptops that feature OLED screens without eye-popping price tags.
TheAsus Zenbook S 14is a good-looking laptop with an OLED display, decent performance, and excellent battery life.
The olderZenbook S 13 OLEDwas one of Tom’s Guide’sfavorite laptop displayslast year.
TheDellXPS 13 has both an OLED version and a non-OLED.
It also comes withIntel’s Lunar Lake chip or theQualcommSnapdragon X Elite.The spectrum is broad here.
The rest is OLED.
Supply chain problems
The supply chain is also a factor.
A lack of competition and partners potentially hinders Apple’s ability to lower costs.
TheM4 version should arrive in early 2025if rumors are to be believed.
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