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Unprecedented Pricing for a MacBook
Currently, the MacBook Air is the most affordable option in Apple’s lineup of laptops, starting at $999 (and even more in Europe). However, the California-based company appears poised to lower this price point even further.
For some time now, there has been a buzz that Cupertino is planning a low-cost MacBook that will not run on an M-series chip but will be powered by an A18 Pro chip—the same one used in the iPhone 16 Pro. It would come in multiple colors (silver, pink, and yellow). More importantly, it would be priced aggressively at $699, with an even cheaper version around $599 targeted at the educational market.
With his deep industry insights, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that production of this model would start before the end of 2025, with a potential market launch by early 2026!
Adequate Performance Levels
Though the switch from Apple Silicon M-series chips might seem surprising at first, the A18 Pro chip is nothing to scoff at. It should easily meet everyday needs: web browsing, document editing, video calls, and streaming.
In fact, this upcoming MacBook would likely offer performance comparable to the MacBook Air M1, which is still considered a top-notch device today. I use one almost daily alongside my MacBook Pro M3, and honestly, it’s an incredibly versatile machine.
Furthermore, using the A18 chip could also cut costs significantly. To keep expenses in check, Apple would focus on three areas: using an iPhone chip instead of an M chip, optimizing assembly lines for greater efficiency, and adopting more compact packaging to reduce logistics costs. Some market watchers also speculate about a return to a plastic casing, similar to the old iBook and entry-level MacBook models.
Set to Hit the Market in Early 2026
According to Ming-Chi Kuo and DigiTimes, production of the initial components is expected to start next month, with full assembly completed by the end of the year. If the schedule holds, the product would hit the market in the first quarter of 2026.
With this affordable MacBook, Apple hopes to expand its user base and more directly tackle the mainstream market, while also appealing to students and first-time buyers. If these rumors hold true, this would mark a major strategic shift: a MacBook designed for the masses, without overly compromising on performance.