Apple is reportedly gearing up to shake up the laptop market with a budget-friendly MacBook priced at $599, a stark contrast to the company’s current lineup, where even the base models start at over $1,000.
Insiders suggest that the Cupertino-based giant is developing this affordable option, featuring a 12.9-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, marking a potential shift in Apple’s strategy to target a broader audience.
The anticipated launch is slated for late 2025 or early 2026, pending confirmation of the rumors. If true, this would be the first time a new Mac can be purchased without selling a kidney, offering an accessible entry point into Apple’s ecosystem.
The move could signal an effort to compete with budget-friendly alternatives like Chromebooks, traditionally dominated by competitors such as Lenovo and HP.
The A18 Pro chip, borrowed from the iPhone 16 Pro, is expected to power this device, potentially sacrificing some of the high-end performance of Apple’s M-series chips for cost savings.
While this might limit features like Thunderbolt support, it could still deliver solid performance for everyday tasks, appealing to students, casual users, and first-time Mac buyers. The 12.9-inch display, slightly smaller than the 13.6-inch MacBook Air, hints at a compact, lightweight design, possibly echoing the colorful finishes seen in recent iPads.
Also read:
- YouTube Emerges as the Leading Platform for Podcasts: A Surprising Shift in Listener Habits
- Market Share of AI Chatbots in 2025: A Statcounter Analysis
- Generation Z Chooses Anime – A Radical Cultural Shift, Not Just a Passing Trend
This rumored price cut — roughly half the cost of the current $999 MacBook Air — could disrupt Apple’s traditional premium pricing model. If production begins as planned in late 2025, with mass assembly in Q4, the budget MacBook might hit shelves just in time for the holiday season or early next year. Whether this gamble pays off or dilutes Apple’s brand image remains to be seen, but it’s a bold step toward making the Mac ecosystem more accessible.
