Next year, Apple is reportedly going to debut a new MacBook model beneath the MacBook Air. It’ll be the first MacBook to utilize iPhone silicon, and it’ll be the first MacBook that sells far beneath the $999 price point. It sounds like a winning formula – but will it actually be one?
Key specifications
The budget MacBook has a couple key specifications already rumored, though a lot of it is up in air still:
- LCD display, slightly smaller than current 13.6-inch MacBook Air
- A18 Pro chipset, from iPhone 16 Pro
- Colorful casing options, including silver, blue, pink, and yellow
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes this’ll sell around 5-7 million units in 2026, bringing the Mac lineup back to its COVID-19 peak of around 25 million annual units. This means that the new budget MacBook might make up at least 20% of overall MacBook sales.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also reports that this’ll target “would-be iPad buyers who might prefer a traditional laptop experience instead.”
Will it win?
Ultimately, whether or not it’ll win depends on the price point, as well as what it offers at that price point. Given Apple’s ambitious sales numbers, it might be closer to $600 or $700, which would be quite compelling.
Given the fact that it’ll have an A18 Pro chipset, one could reasonably guess that the Mac might have 8GB of RAM, compared to 16GB on newer models. This would be an okay compromise at the sub-$700 price point. However, if the cheaper MacBook comes in closer to $800, that’ll be more of a tough sell – given the fact that MacBook Air models regularly go on sale for that ~$800 price point.
For example, M4 MacBook Air is on sale on Amazon for $749 right now.
Currently, Apple offers the M1 MacBook Air through Walmart for $599, and that’s seemingly been performing well. If this new MacBook doesn’t compromise too heavily while coming in at a nice price, it could be a worthwhile buy.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman specifically highlights that the “upcoming model will be an entirely new design, rather than a discounted older machine,” suggesting that this design will certainly look different compared to everything else we’ve seen.
Wrap up
Overall, I still think this new cheaper MacBook will be one of the most interesting Apple product launches of 2026. It’s always fun to see Apple enter new markets.
Top comment by Publius
A 12in lightweight MacBook with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage for $499 seems like it might sell… hard to go higher unless Apple stops discounting the Air models. I see an M2 MacBook Air going for $699 with 16GB/256GB.
I don’t know if I’d go this direction though.
If I were Apple, I’d introduce a smaller MacBook Air and price at $200 below the 13 inch. I used to have an 11 inch MacBook Air a long time ago, and that machine was incredibly nice and portable. If you don’t really need screen real estate it would be a solid option.
I don’t like apple’s habit of offering gimped products.
Unlike iPhone 16e, I do think this one will stick the landing, so long as Apple doesn’t overprice it. Gurman reports it’ll launch in the first half of next year, so it shouldn’t be too long before we know all of the details.
What do you think of this upcoming budget MacBook? Are you in the market for one? Let us know in the comments.
My favorite Apple accessory recommendations:
- Anker MagSafe/Qi2 Ultra-Slim Battery Pack
- Apple 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max
- MOFT MagSafe Wallet Stand, fits up to 3 cards
- Logitech MX Master 4 Mouse for Mac
- ESR CryoBoost 3-in-1 25W MagSafe Charging Stand
- AirPods Pro 3 (2x ANC vs AirPods Pro 2!)
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