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IDK. Until the Neo you basically didn’t have a choice unless you were in the $1k+ bracket, which is not where most machines are sold.

You could buy Windows, or a very cheap Chromebook that felt like it.

People in that $600-700 range have never had a choice like this.

People had plenty of options in the $600-700 range. If you really wanted a Mac and price was the only thing holding back, buy used.

Also possible that people have paid for licenses / apps and thus want to stay with the OS those will run on, instead of having to pay again (if it's even an option).

Which is probably why Apple is now selling to students at what appears to be below cost.