Besides updating the MacBook Air and entry-level MacBook Pro, Apple is also discontinuing two other laptops: the 12-inch MacBook, as well as the previous generation MacBook Air – the one without the Retina display. This, in turn, makes the new Air the most affordable MacBook you can buy now.

Considering the fact that the new MacBook Air retails from RM4,699, you’ll have to pay quite a bit more than, say, for the previous generation model. Nonetheless, discontinuing the old MacBook Air and 12-inch MacBook does streamline Apple’s range of laptops, making it somewhat simpler for consumers to make their choices.

After the new MacBook Air was introduced late last year, the 12-inch MacBook felt somewhat…redundant. Granted, it’s a lighter, quieter, and thinner laptop, but it’s not like the new Air is a lot heavier or thicker. Plus, the MacBook Air is a more powerful machine, while the 12-inch MacBook hasn’t been updated in two years.

With the discontinuation of the 12-inch MacBook, your next best alternative is none other than the new MacBook Air. Now that its price has been cut down to RM4,699, it is priced relatively similar to the discontinued MacBook. The bad news? That’s how much you’ll have to pay to get into the MacBook ecosystem today.

So what if you really want to get a MacBook below the RM4,000 mark? Well, you can still get the previous generation MacBook Air from Apple resellers like Machines. The retailer is still offering the MacBook Air with 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM for RM3,499.

However, now that it’s been discontinued, it remains to be seen just how long this particular MacBook would be in stock. The promotional price will be effective until the end of September 2019 though, so if you absolutely want a MacBook without paying for the new Air, this is your best option right now.

It has only been four years since the 12-inch MacBook was unveiled to the world, and at the time, it was touted to be the lightest and thinnest MacBook yet. In fact, it still holds that title today, but it wasn’t enough for folks to overlook the laptop’s shortcomings.

Regardless, we are now pretty much back to square one with Apple’s MacBook lineup. There are only the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro to choose from now, though Apple does mix it up a bit with the entry-level model of the MacBook Pro.