# Anti‑Apple user turns to cheap Windows laptops as MacBook prices rise

**Published:** 2026-07-18T22:57:46.839Z  
**Topic:** Apple News  
**Sentiment:** neutral  
**Publisher:** TrendWatcher — https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/c8a163c6-ca53-4adf-b6bf-12937081b105

MacBook Neo listed at $689.99 while DRAM shortage pushes Windows laptops up; see pricing details and what to watch in the laptop market.

A former vocal critic of Apple announced he can no longer afford a Windows notebook after price hikes, noting the MacBook Neo now sells for $689.99 and his budget tops out at $2,000 ≈ £1,500 ≈ $2,000 [3].  

| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| MacBook Neo price | $689.99 |
| HP OmniBook 3 price | $599.99 |
| ASUS Zenbook S16 price | $1,599.99 |
| DRAM shortage outlook | until 2030 |

## MacBook pricing steadies amid Windows market strain  
Apple’s recent memory‑stockpile depletion forced a price increase across its MacBook line, yet the newly listed MacBook Neo remains the cheapest entry‑level model at $689.99 [3]. In contrast, the Windows laptop market is grappling with a DRAM shortage that Lenovo says will persist until 2030, inflating component costs and squeezing consumer budgets [3]. The Reddit user “systemg7”—once a staunch anti‑Apple voice—now cites a $2,000 ceiling as his “rock bottom,” prompting a search for “best ways to transition to MacBook from Windows” [3].

## Windows alternatives and price gaps  
Despite the shortage, a few Windows options still sit below the user’s ceiling. The HP OmniBook 3, equipped with a Snapdragon X SoC, retails for $599.99, undercutting the MacBook Neo by roughly $90 [3]. Higher‑end choices like the ASUS Zenbook S16, powered by a Snapdragon X2 Elite, cost $1,599.99, comfortably within the $2,000 budget but still more expensive than the entry‑level MacBook [3]. These price points illustrate the widening gap between budget‑friendly Windows laptops and Apple’s comparatively stable pricing.

## What to watch
- **MacBook Neo launch timing** – monitor Apple’s official release date to gauge market impact.  
- **DRAM price trends** – watch quarterly reports for component cost changes that could affect Windows laptop pricing.  
- **Competitor responses** – track whether other OEMs introduce lower‑priced models to compete with the $689.99 MacBook entry point.  

The shift of a former Apple detractor toward the MacBook price tier underscores how component shortages can reshape consumer preferences, leaving the Windows laptop market to navigate a prolonged DRAM crunch while Apple’s pricing remains comparatively anchored.

## Sources
1. Business Insider — [Anti-AI data center protesters rally across the US](https://www.businessinsider.com/anti-ai-data-center-nationwide-protest-photos-2026-7)
2. WGME CBS 13 — [Portland protest at Monument Square follows Biddeford ICE shooting death](https://wgme.com/news/local/portland-protest-at-monument-square-follows-biddeford-ice-shooting-death)
3. Wccftech — [An Anti-Apple Consumer Who Laughed At MacBook Prices And Lack Of Customizations ...](https://wccftech.com/anti-apple-consumer-laughed-at-macbook-prices-says-windows-laptop-market-is-a-nightmare/)

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Cite as: TrendWatcher, "Anti‑Apple user turns to cheap Windows laptops as MacBook prices rise", https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/c8a163c6-ca53-4adf-b6bf-12937081b105