Would any of the reported MacBook compromises be a deal-breaker?

Apple clearly needs some way of distinguishing the upcoming low-cost MacBook from the more expensive MacBook Air. We’d wondered whether color might be sufficient to limit cannibalization, but it’s been suggested that the new machine may have a number of compromises.

9to5Mac readers aren’t really the target market for an entry-level machine, but some might consider it as a second Mac, while others might recommend it to family and friends. However, would any of the rumoured compromises be a deal-breaker … ?

While some might be dismissive of a MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, we’ve already noted that is unlikely to be too much of a drawback.

The first Apple Silicon MacBook Air model was powered by the M1 chip. This was widely praised for its combination of performance and power efficiency. The A18 Pro chip is remarkably similar to the M1, as the benchmarks show.

My own experience demonstrated that even six years later, it is still a very capable device.

However, a report earlier this week claimed the machine would have a number of arguably more significant compromises. To be clear, the source is unproven, so the suggested specs may or may not be accurate. But if the limits listed prove real, would you consider any of them to be unacceptable – even on a machine reputedly set to list at around $700 and likely sell for less from the likes of Best Buy?

If all of the compromises are accurate, then you might consider the totality to rule out the machine as a reasonable buy. But a more interesting question to me is whether there is any single item on the list that you’d consider to be a deal breaker. In other words, if that were the only compromise, you would still say that the machine should be avoided?

Please take our poll, and share your reasons in the comments. The poll allows you to select multiple items, but please only choose any you would consider a deal-breaker all on its own.