According to Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is developing a series of affordable MacBooks. After years of focusing on the high-end market, Apple could surprise everyone by introducing a budget-friendly MacBook priced between $599 and $699.
Reports from Asian supply chain sources and reliable analysts like Ming-Chi Kuo suggest the project aims to reach a much broader segment of laptop buyers and could mark a shift in the brand's commercial strategy.
This new laptop is expected to feature a 13-inch display — smaller than MacBook Air — with a vivid design inspired by the iMac's color palette: silver, blue, pink, and yellow. Additionally, references to this product have already been spotted in macOS Sequoia.
Beyond catching the consumer's eye, Apple’s goal is to differentiate the entry-level laptop from pricier MacBook models. A key distinction will be the processor; Kuo reveals that these laptops will run on iPhone processors.
iPhone Power in a MacBook Package
The rumored model will use the A18 Pro, the same chip found in iPhone 16 Pro, manufactured by TSMC (NE3).
This chip features 2 high-performance cores, 4 efficiency cores, and a 6-core GPU. The performance is expected to be comparable to a MacBook Air M1 or iPad M1, but with far lower power consumption and reduced production costs. This would make it a perfect device for web browsing and office work. Though it won’t be suited for heavy-duty workloads like cryptocurrency mining, even as Bitcoin price remains stable above $100,000.
According to AppleInsider and Tom's Hardware, component production is scheduled to start in Q3 2025, with final assembly at the end of that year. A launch could follow between December 2025 and early 2026.
According to the estimates Apple is expected to produce between 5 to 7 million units in 2026, enough to support its goal to exceed the 25 million annual MacBook sales, achieved during the pandemic peak.
Unlike Chromebooks, Apple will not target the educational market. Apple is setting its sights on the entry-level laptop segment, dominated by low-cost Windows PCs. With Windows 10 support ending in 2025, many users might be tempted to switch to macOS — a scenario that Windows Central calls a "nightmare" for Microsoft.
A calculated bet
Apple minimizes its risks and maximizes its opportunities by recycling a proven chip, simplifying materials, and appealing to cost-sensitive buyers. The major risk here would be cannibalizing the MacBook Air, which could be avoided by differentiating the finishes, graphics performance, and some features.
A compact MacBook powered by an iPhone chip might soon hit the market at just $599. If the rumors prove accurate, Apple would not only enter a segment it has long ignored but also redefine the affordable laptop market.
This article was written in cooperation with Tradingview