A Much More Affordable MacBook Could Launch Early Next Year
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A new report surfaced early last month that Apple is working on a lower-cost MacBook that could be as affordable as its mid-tier iPad models. Now, another report out of Asia is providing some more details on just how cheap this MacBook might be, while also sharing that we could see it show up very soon.
As analyst Ming-Chi Kuo shared in July, the secret to this affordable MacBook supposedly lies in Apple’s decision to equip it with an iPhone chip — specifically the A18 Pro — rather than the more powerful M-series chips found in the rest of its Mac lineup.
At the time, Kuo predicted that the new MacBook would go into production in the next 6–12 months. Now, DigiTimes has corroborated this with its own report that the new MacBook could begin to enter mass production this fall, although final assembly would still be slated closer to the end of the year, aligning with the more optimistic of Kuo’s predictions. This all points to an early 2026 release for the new model.
DigiTimes also has some insights on potential pricing for the new MacBook, believing that it will start between $599 and $699, possibly depending on specs. While all models are expected to use the same A18 Pro chip, there will undoubtedly be multiple storage configurations available, so it’s possible both price points are correct: $599 for an entry-level model with a smaller SSD and whatever base RAM Apple feels is appropriate, and $699 to double the SSD storage.
While there’s no definitive word on what Apple will call its affordable new laptop, the consensus is that it’s likely to resurrect the name “MacBook” (sans suffix), which hasn’t been used since the 12-inch MacBook went out of service in 2019.
Sadly, that doesn’t mean we’ll be seeing the ultra-compact 12-inch model make a return. Both Kuo and DigitTimes point to a 12.9-inch screen in the supply chain, which would make it slightly smaller than the MacBook Air, which has grown to 13.6 inches, but still not as compact as the original 12-inch model.
Using an A18 Pro chip would not only help to reduce costs, but would also use up surplus and “binned” chips from the iPhone 16 Pro series, which will undoubtedly be discontinued this September when the iPhone 17 Pro replaces them.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Apple is expected to focus on reducing thickness rather than footprint. According to Kuo, the new MacBook will be ultra-thin and lightweight, and come in silver, blue, pink, and yellow colors.
The timing for this release would be interesting, based on reports that Apple may also delay its M5 MacBook Pro lineup into early 2026. However, that’s not yet a certainty, and even if it turns out to be true, there have been no hints that Apple will similarly push back its M5 MacBook Air releases, which are still expected to land in March. This means the A18 Pro MacBook could come alongside either, or it could be released independently of both.
The move to an entry-level laptop using the name “MacBook” would also align beautifully with Apple’s Mac family with its iPad family, which currently has three tiers that start with an A-series powered iPad on the bottom end, an iPad Air in the middle that uses a prior-generation M-series chip, and the flagship iPad Pro that has the latest and greatest Apple silicon.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]
