Apple is reportedly developing a lower-cost MacBook, powered by a processor from its iPhone, in a strategic move to broaden its laptop lineup
According to Bloomberg, the affordable MacBook is intended to be sold for well under $1,000. Its price is expected to be comparable to the combined cost of an entry-level iPad and a Magic Keyboard Folio, which is approximately $600. This would make it Apple’s most accessible laptop in years.
Unlike current MacBooks that use its own M-series chips, this new model will reportedly run on a version of the A-series chip (likely the A19 or A19 Pro) found in iPhones. Internal testing at Apple has indicated that this smartphone chip can deliver better performance than the company’s own M1 chip, which was first used in MacBooks back in 2020.
The laptop will feature an entirely new design and a screen that is slightly smaller than the 13.6-inch display on the current MacBook Air. It will also be equipped with a more basic LCD screen instead of the premium panels used on higher-end models. The target audience for this device includes students, casual users and cost-conscious businesses.
This report aligns with earlier comments from supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who said Apple was working on a budget-friendly MacBook. Kuo added that the laptop could use the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro and might be offered in multiple colors, such as silver, blue, pink and yellow.
Apple is reportedly targeting the first half of 2026 to introduce the new budget MacBook.