Although Apple It launches most of its products within the premium range, sometimes making more affordable proposals. This strategy was seen last year with the iPhone 16e and continue with the next iPhone 17e which, as published by Bloomberg, will maintain the same price. These types of products are shortened versions of those launched in the higher range, with a lower entry price, but maintaining the core user experience. Apple has also applied this approach with the iPad and it is expected to do so soon with laptops MacBook.
The information that Apple plans to launch an affordable MacBook powered by a chip from the iPhone family They began last June with the technology analyst specialized in Apple and the electronic device supply chain, Ming-Chi Kuowhich was followed by DigiTimes and other publications later.
Apple began using its own silicon as the CPU of its computers with the first M series in 2020after 14 years depending on those of Intel and, before, of those of IBM for 12. This would be the first laptop in six years that does not have an M family processor.
Using an iPhone chip in a MacBook marks a shift toward a product-oriented to emerging markets and first-time Mac buyers who don’t want or can’t pay premium prices. Apple has already tested this strategy in the tablet sector, especially with the iPad 11th generationwhich incorporates the chip A16from the same family as the iPhone.
DigiTimes pointed out that Apple’s cheap MacBook would have a screen LCD of 13 inches (12.9 inches, to be exact) and that it would be powered by the A18 Pro SoCthe same chip used in the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro MaxApple’s top of the range of 2024. Also that The performance of the A18 Pro would be on par with Apple’s M1 processorwhich should offer more than enough power for everyday tasks and basic workflows. As for RAM, it would be 8GB.
Production would have started in the third quarter of 2025 with the goal of hitting stores at the end of 2025, which has not happened, or early 2026.
In his latest Power On newsletter, Mark GurmanBloomberg’s Apple specialist, adds that its launch is expected at the beginning of 2026 or, in any case, in the first half of the year.
According to Gurman, this new MacBook is designed to serve as a gateway for new users to the Mac ecosystem and would help Apple better compete with laptops. Windows and Chromebooks.
It is not expected to stand out for its design and probably It is built from the same chassis as the 13-inch MacBook Air. Since students are potential buyers, the device is expected to be lightweight and portable.
Since Apple is going to use a chip from the iPhone family inside a 13-inch MacBook, the device could have considerable unused internal space, which could be reused for a larger battery. Apple ensures that its 13-inch MacBook with chip M4 offers up to 18 hours streaming video and even 15 hours wireless web browsing. In theory, a MacBook with a chip from the iPhone family could expand those figures by two or three additional hours.
As for the price, many contradictory rumors continue to circulate. Previous information indicated that the cheap MacBook would cost between 599 and 699 dollarswhile other more recent ones claim that it could cost 750 dollars. The cheapest laptop that Apple currently sells is the 13.6-inch MacBook Air with M4 chipwhich costs $999 in the United States and €1,099 in Spain.