Apple is reportedly developing a more affordable MacBook, potentially starting at $599, aiming to capture a larger share of the budget-conscious laptop market. This new MacBook is rumored to be powered by the A18 Pro chip, the same chip found in the iPhone 16 Pro, instead of the M-series chips that have been standard in MacBooks since Apple's transition to its own silicon in 2020.
Price and Target Audience
The rumored price range for this budget MacBook is between $599 and $699. With the education discount, the price could be as low as $599. This price point is significantly lower than the current MacBook Air, which starts at $999. This positions the new MacBook as an attractive option for students, casual users, and those seeking a lightweight, everyday laptop. The aim is to attract customers who might have previously opted for Windows laptops or Chromebooks due to budget constraints.
A18 Pro Chip and Performance
The decision to use an A-series chip instead of an M-series chip is a key factor in achieving the lower price point. While the A18 Pro is expected to deliver fast performance and support Apple Intelligence, it's generally considered to be less powerful than the M4 chip found in the latest MacBook Air. However, the A18 Pro's single-core performance is reportedly comparable to, or even better than, some M-series chips. It is expected that Apple will optimize the A18 Pro specifically for the MacBook to further enhance its performance.
The A18 Pro features a 6-core CPU, a 6-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. While the A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro models has 8GB of RAM, current MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models start with 16GB of RAM. The A18 Pro may also lack Thunderbolt support, potentially limiting data transfer speeds to 10 Gb/s via standard USB-C ports. It might also natively support only a single external display, although this limitation could be overcome with DisplayLink adapters.
Design and Features
The affordable MacBook is expected to feature a 12.9-inch display, slightly smaller than the 13.6-inch screen on the MacBook Air. The design could draw inspiration from the discontinued 12-inch MacBook, known for its ultra-thin and lightweight form factor. Some rumors suggest it may come in colors like blue, pink, silver, and yellow, reminiscent of the iBook G3.
Release Date and Production
Mass production of the new MacBook is projected to begin in the third quarter of 2025, potentially leading to a release in late 2025 or early 2026. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo anticipates mass production to commence in late Q4 2025 or early Q1 2026. DigiTimes suggests that some components will enter mass production by the end of Q3 2025, with final assembly at Quanta's facilities in Q4.
Market Impact
Apple anticipates shipping between 5 million and 7 million units of the low-cost MacBook annually. This could potentially increase Apple's total MacBook volume by 30% to 40%. The launch of an affordable MacBook could significantly impact the market, especially as support for Windows 10 ends, prompting users to seek new computers.
The introduction of a sub-$700 MacBook could be a strategic move by Apple to expand its reach, increase market share, and cater to a wider range of consumers.
