Report: Apple expected to cut Mac prices

Several sources are reporting that Apple will launch lower priced versions of two popular Mac products sometime this summer. 

Specifically, the 13-inch MacBook and iMac will have price cuts sometime this summer, anonymous sources told AppleInsider.  The MacBook is extremely popular and starts at $999, while the iMac remains the most popular Mac desktop unit.

Despite their popularity, Apple products often times cost more than PC products from Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Acer, and other competitors.  The price cuts are likely aimed at trying to convince consumers to purchase the Apple notebooks instead of opting for a lower priced PC or an inexpensive netbook.

An older generation of the MacBook received a price cut last year — down to $999 — while the new unibody MacBooks were introduced last October.  In addition to hardware price cuts, Apple lowered the prices of some popular accessories, aimed at convincing consumers to spend money that they may have otherwise saved.

Along with increased pressure from low-cost netbooks, Microsoft recently launched its latest advertising campaign blitz to get consumers more interested in the Windows OS, portraying Macs as nothing more than overpriced novelty PCs.

In addition to lowering prices on two products, Apple is reportedly preparing for its back-to-school sales promotion, which is expected to begin in early June.  Shoppers will likely get a free iPod Touch MP3 player when they purchase certain Mac products.