MacVoices #25308: Live! - In-Depth on iPads, ChromeBooks, and Low-Cost Macs

This discussion dives into the debate over affordable computing for students and families, comparing Chromebooks, iPads, and the possibility of a new low-cost Mac from Apple. Chuck Joiner, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Eric Bolden, Jim Rea, Web Bixby, and David Ginsburg compare performance, device lifespan, security, and management tools, asking how Apple can compete in price-sensitive school markets without sacrificing the user experience that defines its hardware.

MacVoices is supported by CleanMyMac from MacPaw. Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use my code MACVOICES20 for 20% off at clnmy.com/MACVOICES.

Show Notes:

Chapters:

[0:00] Introduction and sponsor mention for CleanMyMac
[0:33] Setting up the "cage match" between iPad and low-cost Mac stories
[1:20] iPads vs Chromebooks for everyday users and parents
[2:09] Pricing out entry-level iPads with keyboard cases
[3:27] Classroom realities: Windows, Chromebooks, and grant-funded gear
[4:34] Teachers' buying patterns and attraction to Macs and iPads
[6:13] Why Apple might pursue a cheaper Mac for education markets
[7:36] How far can Apple compromise on specs and price?
[9:07] What schools demand: current OS, MDM, and supportability
[12:13] Battery life, storage, and modem options in low-cost devices
[15:16] Sponsor break: CleanMyMac and holiday "gift of performance"
[17:08] Personal experiences with iPads as daily machines
[19:20] Re-using M1/M2 chips and parallels to the old eMac
[21:09] Chromebook lifespans and e-waste concerns
[22:03] Apple vs Chromebook pricing and the 11-inch MacBook wish
[28:27] Mi-Fis, cellular management, and school budget realities
[31:12] Final thoughts on Apple's education strategy and affordability

Links:

This $450 iPad setup is a better buy than most Chromebooks, here's why
https://9to5mac.com/2025/11/23/ipad-a16-vs-budget-chromebook-sub-500-comparison-black-friday-deal/

Apple Is Planning Cheaper Macs That Compete With Budget Chromebooks and PCs, Report Says
https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/apple-is-planning-cheaper-macs-that-compete-with-budget-chromebooks-and-pcs-report-says/

Guests:

Web Bixby has been in the insurance business for 40 years and has been an Apple user for longer than that.You can catch up with him on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, but prefers Bluesky.

Eric Bolden is into macOS, plants, sci-fi, food, and is a rural internet supporter. You can connect with him on Twitter, by email at embolden@mac.com, on Mastodon at @eabolden@techhub.social, on his blog, Trending At Work, and as co-host on The Vision ProFiles podcast.

Brian Flanigan-Arthurs is an educator with a passion for providing results-driven, innovative learning strategies for all students, but particularly those who are at-risk. He is also a tech enthusiast who has a particular affinity for Apple since he first used the Apple IIGS as a student. You can contact Brian on twitter as @brian8944. He also recently opened a Mastodon account at @brian8944@mastodon.cloud.

David Ginsburg is the host of the weekly podcast In Touch With iOS where he discusses all things iOS, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch, and related technologies. He is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users. Visit his YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/daveg65 and find and follow him on Twitter @daveg65 and on Mastodon at @daveg65@mastodon.cloud.

Dr. Marty Jencius has been an Associate Professor of Counseling at Kent State University since 2000. He has over 120 publications in books, chapters, journal articles, and others, along with 200 podcasts related to counseling, counselor education, and faculty life. His technology interest led him to develop the counseling profession 'firsts,' including listservs, a web-based peer-reviewed journal, The Journal of Technology in Counseling, teaching and conferencing in virtual worlds as the founder of Counselor Education in Second Life, and podcast founder/producer of CounselorAudioSource.net and ThePodTalk.net. Currently, he produces a podcast about counseling and life questions, the Circular Firing Squad, and digital video interviews with legacies capturing the history of the counseling field. This is also co-host of The Vision ProFiles podcast. Generally, Marty is chasing the newest tech trends, which explains his interest in A.I. for teaching, research, and productivity. Marty is an active presenter and past president of the NorthEast Ohio Apple Corp (NEOAC).

Jim Rea built his own computer from scratch in 1975, started programming in 1977, and has been an independent Mac developer continuously since 1984. He is the founder of ProVUE Development, and the author of Panorama X, ProVUE's ultra fast RAM based database software for the macOS platform. He's been a speaker at MacTech, MacWorld Expo and other industry conferences. Follow Jim at provue.com and via @provuejim@techhub.social on Mastodon.

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