With millions of Windows users facing a forced hardware upgrade due to Microsoft’s stricter Windows 11 requirements, Apple Premium Reseller iStore says now is the ideal moment for PC users to switch to Mac.
According to research firm Canalys, around 240 million Windows PCs worldwide would be unable to move to Windows 11 because they do not meet Microsoft’s hardware requirements.
This is creating a forced refresh cycle where users must replace devices rather than simply update software.
To help make the transition easier, iStore has launched a guaranteed PC trade-in programme, offering customers a minimum of R3 000 when trading in a qualifying Windows laptop towards a new Mac, with values reaching up to R5 000 depending on the device’s condition and specifications. Many PC owners are only now realising their current laptops cannot support Windows 11 due to processor limitations.
“This isn’t a typical upgrade cycle, it’s being driven by hardware limitations,” says Chris Dodd, CEO of iStore. “If customers are being forced to replace their laptops anyway, it’s time to rethink the default choice. There’s never been a better time to switch to Mac.” Why MacBook Neo changes the value conversation. The case for switching is even stronger at current price points. Starting at R11 999 for the 256GB model and R13 999 for the 512GB model, MacBook Neo brings Apple silicon performance into a part of the market where many customers would traditionally have defaulted to a Windows laptop.
For buyers comparing value, MacBook Neo offers strong everyday performance, long battery life, a fanless design, and premium build quality, now at a price point far closer to mainstream laptops.
For users who already own an iPhone, the value extends beyond the device itself. Features such as seamless file sharing, messaging continuity, cross-device copy and paste, and tighter ecosystem integration make switching feel less like starting over and more like upgrading the way you work.
A trade-in offer designed to reduce the barrier to switching iStore’s guaranteed trade-in programme is designed to make the move more accessible. Customers can trade in qualifying Windows laptops, typically Intel Core i5 10th generation or newer, with at least 8GB RAM and 128GB storage and receive a guaranteed trade-in value that is applied directly towards the purchase of a new Mac. All devices are assessed in store, with the final value determined by processor generation, condition and battery health. The guaranteed minimum gives customers greater certainty upfront and helps turn an unavoidable replacement purchase into a more affordable switch to Mac. The moment to act with Windows 10 support already ended and a large installed base of older PCs locked out of the supported Windows 11 upgrade path, the market has entered a genuine replacement cycle. For iStore, that creates a clear media and consumer message: if people are being forced to buy a new computer anyway, there has never been a better time to switch to Mac.”Customers are already facing a replacement decision,” says Chris Dodd, CEO of iStore. “MacBook Neo changes the value equation, and our guaranteed PC trade-in offer makes switching easier. When you combine performance, price, support and the Apple ecosystem, now is the time to take advantage of that shift and consider Mac.” The full iStore advantage beyond the device itself, customers who switch to Mac through iStore benefit from the broader Apple ecosystem and local support services.
These include:
• iCare extended warranty options
• Expert Apple technical support
• Data transfer and onboarding assistance
• Access to Apple-trained specialists in-store
• Integration with iPhone, iPad, and Apple services
For many customers, this combination of performance, ecosystem benefits and ongoing support is what ultimately makes the transition worthwhile.