Key Highlights:
- Apple in collaboration with the CIT group has launched a business-only program that allows users to purchase and eventually upgrade laptops for a cheap monthly charge.
- The application page is named “Apple M1 Refresh,” indicating the company’s goal to persuade companies to move from Intel-based Macs to M1 Macs.
- Apple provides financing to certain partners, although it is normal for the entire purchase cost.
Apple’s latest business-only program
Apple appears to have launched a business-only program that allows users to purchase and eventually upgrade laptops for a cheap monthly charge. A tweet from writer Max Weinbach reveals a screenshot of Apple’s “New Mac Notebook Upgrade Program” advertising material that appeared for a client who had access to a corporate site.
The deal appears to be in collaboration with CIT Group, a bank for business customers, as this program’s landing page shares monthly rates for various MacBook models, beginning with the 13-inch MacBook Air for $30, the 13-inch MacBook Pro for $39, the 14-inch MacBook Pro for $60, and the 16-inch MacBook Pro for $75.
Apple persuades companies to move to M1-based Macs
According to the website, the procedure begins with a typical business finance application – simply sign the forms after approval, and CIT will issue a PO to Apple on the firm’s behalf.
The application page is named “Apple M1 Refresh,” indicating the company’s goal to persuade companies to move from Intel-based Macs to more powerful and energy-efficient successors. The information supplied does not specify if there are any minimum order amounts per organization depending on size, nor does it specify the exact path to ownership of these computers, if one exists.
Organizations with Apple Business and Education (K-12 or Higher Ed) accounts may often create a purchase order for devices and accessories through a dedicated Apple Store portal.
Apple provides financing to certain partners, although it is normal for the entire purchase cost (save for some small discounts). This new Mac upgrading scheme now allows these groups to lease MacBooks, however, it is unclear whether accessories or additional laptops will be offered.
Assuming a small firm with five employees needs five MacBook Airs, they could get them for $150 per month (without taxes), but they would have to keep them for at least 90 days before being able to upgrade. Still, instead of paying $4,995 for the five laptops upfront, the small firm may keep them for nearly 33 months before incurring the whole cost.
This is consistent with Apple’s Small Business Essentials support package, which was unveiled in November and allows small businesses to get up and running — and invest in — Apple technology without spending a lot of money. It does not appear that this will result in something for consumers similar to the iPhone Upgrade Program that Apple has given since 2015. Small company employees who keep an eye on the annual refresh cycle, on the other hand, may acquire new laptops more frequently.
Also read: Facts about Apple
