Apple's MacBook lineup has long lacked a key option: an affordable, entry-level model. While the MacBook Air is cheaper than the MacBook Pro, it still starts at $1,000, which can be a stretch for many, especially students and families on tight budgets. For those wanting to spend far less than $1,000, Apple's MacBooks aren't practical unless they consider used or older, refurbished models. If you're looking for a new laptop under $1,000, most options are Windows PCs or Chromebooks, with MacBooks nowhere in sight. It seems Apple has finally decided to change that.
The budget Mac is expected to cost "well under $1,000," with a price possibly around $600, similar to the cost of an entry-level iPad and a Magic Keyboard Folio accessory. Apple is keeping the cost so low by using lower-cost components compared to the MacBook Air. This includes features like a "lower-end LCD display" that is slightly smaller than the MacBook Air's 13.6-inch screen, according to Bloomberg.
However, the biggest change of all will reportedly be the laptop's chipset. All of Apple's MacBooks since November 2020 have used Apple Silicon M-series chips, but for the budget MacBook, Apple is reportedly opting to use an iPhone chip (rumored to be the A18 Pro). Bloomberg reports that Apple's own internal testing has recently shown that its iPhone chipset "can perform better than the Mac-optimized M1 used in laptops."
The design won't be the same as the MacBook Air
More new MacBooks are expected in early 2026
Another tidbit about Apple's new low-cost MacBook is that its design won't be identical to the MacBook Air. Apple could easily repackage one of its older MacBooks and discount it, but it appears the Cupertino-based company is choosing a different route, similar to what it did for the iPhone 16e, with the low-cost MacBook reportedly featuring an "entirely new design" that is aimed at budget-conscious casual users, students, and businesses.
As I mentioned earlier, this isn't the first time we've heard about Apple working on a budget-friendly MacBook. In June, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple was developing an affordable MacBook, set to enter mass production in Q4 2025 or Q1 2026, featuring a 13-inch display powered by Apple's A18 Pro chipset, the same chip found in the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max. Kuo also mentioned that the affordable MacBook might come in a variety of colors, including silver, blue, pink, and yellow.
...I believe this is a very clever move by Apple, and it could lead to a new wave of MacBook users...
Based on Kuo's report from June and Bloomberg's recent report, it now seems extremely likely that Apple will release its affordable MacBook in the first half of next year. But that's not all Apple has planned for early 2026. The company recently launched the M5-powered MacBook Pro, and in 2026, it reportedly intends to introduce models with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chipsets. The MacBook Air is also expected to receive an update in the new year with the M5 chipset. So, with the affordable MacBook, M5 MacBook Air, and M5 Max and M5 Pro MacBook Pro, a flood of new MacBooks will likely hit the market in early 2026.
Personally, I believe this is a very clever move by Apple, and it could lead to a new wave of MacBook users. The iPhone already leads the smartphone market in the US, but the MacBook hasn't taken the same lead in the laptop market because of its higher price compared to Windows laptops. If the affordable MacBook hits that $600 price point, it could attract many consumers away from Windows laptops from brands like Lenovo, Asus, Dell, and others. Additionally, MacBooks are known for their excellent battery life, and with an iPhone's chipset and macOS optimizations, I wouldn't be surprised if the budget MacBook continues that trend.