Could the new MacBook be priced under $1000?

Apple will follow up the release of updated iPods with a press event next week, which pundits believe will see the release of new MacBooks.

Reports of the event, which have appeared on tech sites such as wired.com, say press invitations have been sent on, bearing the words: “The spotlight turns to notebooks.”

There are is pelenty of speculation that Apple will launch the new MacBooks at a price of under $1000.

“There is a possibility they might go there, but in general they have consistently played at the very high end of the market,” Gartner analyst Van Baker told The Age.

“While I would love to see Apple compete in the $US799 to $US999 price range, based on past history I am sceptical they are going to do that.”