Apple is reportedly working on its most affordable MacBook yet, which could be priced between \$599 and $699, according to a report by DigiTimes.
Rumors about a low-cost MacBook began in June when well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested that Apple was developing a 13-inch laptop to compete with Chromebooks and boost MacBook sales. While Kuo didn’t mention the price at the time, DigiTimes has now indicated it may start under $700.
The budget MacBook is expected to use the A18 Pro chip, the same processor found in last year’s iPhone 16 Pro. This would make it the first Mac to run on an iPhone chip instead of Apple’s usual M-series chips, which are more powerful and offer better support for external displays.
According to the report, the laptop may feature a 12.9-inch display, slightly smaller than the 13.6-inch MacBook Air. Production of some parts could begin by late Q3 2025, with full assembly expected in Q4 at Quanta’s factories. The device may hit the market in late 2025 or early 2026.
Kuo predicts the new MacBook will have a thin, lightweight design and could come in silver, blue, pink, and yellow colors. However, because the A18 Pro chip doesn’t support Thunderbolt, the laptop will likely have regular USB-C ports instead.
Currently, the 13-inch MacBook Air sells for $999 in the US, or $899 with a student discount — meaning the budget MacBook could be significantly cheaper. Analysts believe Apple could sell 5–7 million units annually, increasing MacBook shipments by up to 40%.
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