It's not about whether someone can or can't afford it, it's about carrying around another device.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Launching Budget MacBook in 2026
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
It's not about whether someone can or can't afford it, it's about carrying around another device.
Not to mention, a lot of mobile devices have very limited port availability. Imagine if this budget Macbook only has 2 USB-C ports, like some other recent laptops. So, while you're charging, there's only 1 port free, whether for a drive or a mouse or a Yubikey, etc., and that means maybe buying and carrying around a USB hub along with everything else and hoping everything will play nice across it.
I think you can't hope Apple to be reasonable in terms of number of ports, especially when we are talking about an entry level priced device
I’m trying to decide whether I want a larger screen in a surprisingly large package or a smaller one that’s not THAT small. A resurrected sub-kg 12” rMB with a larger screen in same-size chassis would be the perfect answer. They have 3.5 weeks to release it
Technical limitations don’t bother me, this is a typewriter that (very) occasionally runs Photoshop. I only don’t like the idea of an iCloud computer. 16 GB RAM is practically overkill for my use case, though, so is the M4 CPU. A18 Pro with 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage would satisfy my needs. I probably shouldn’t say that, I’m giving Tim Cook ideas…
It's funny because I was thinking the same thing - but for phones. A regular phone that has a "kid" version with no cameras would solve a lot of problems IMO.
I'm all for a 12" model being offered, but it makes no sense for the budget/entry level model for everyone & education to be that small.
12" is really niche in terms of what fits on screen and how enjoyable it is to use. It extremely skews towards portability/travel usages, which is not at all what an "all arounder" laptop should be targeted at.
you can probably have this device in your dreamI’m trying to decide whether I want a larger screen in a surprisingly large package or a smaller one that’s not THAT small. A resurrected sub-kg 12” rMB with a larger screen in same-size chassis would be the perfect answer. They have 3.5 weeks to release it
Technical limitations don’t bother me, this is a typewriter that (very) occasionally runs Photoshop. I only don’t like the idea of an iCloud computer. 16 GB RAM is practically overkill for my use case, though, so is the M4 CPU. A18 Pro with 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage would satisfy my needs. I probably shouldn’t say that, I’m giving Tim Cook ideas…
I know, which is why my proposed spec list mitigates that with possibilities like: sub-retina screen
There's always possible tradeoffs
One of the great truths about manufacturing is cost savings through economies of scale. This is why things like air conditioning and power windows are standard on almost all vehicles today. It’s cheaper for automakers to include them on everything than on only some products. It’s the same with electronics. Continuing to produce M2 chips or even M3’s will cost more because they involve outdated - and different - processes. I suspect M2 chips are already out of production. But we’ll find out, won’t we?
No manufacturer has offered such a compact laptop since the 12-inch MacBook.
The MacBook was very popular, even though it was so expensive and underpowered.
That's why I'm sure that a MacBook with the form factor of the 2015 MacBook will be a big hit.
If they shrink the bezels of the old MacBook to a modern size, a 12.9-inch display will fit into the frame.
A new small MacBook weighing 900 grams slips easily into any school bag or briefcase. Or into any carry-on luggage.
Many users will do as I do and purchase such a device to complement their Mac Mini, Studio or iMac.
I just worry that too much focus on thin & light will result in something more expensive, or less likely to survive children.
Too many tradeoffs.
That's the Apple MSRP in Europe at 1099. The M4 Airs already start at 800 from various european retailers. You can check prices on geizhals.eu which I use to get an idea of actual up-to-date pricing around western europe.
This is all fine, but I don’t think you’re the target market for this product.
Making the sexiest, thinnest, lightest and least bezeled laptop is not at all what is needed for a budget or education offering.
Theory: They will have stacked up millions of old screens when the new OLEDs come out next year.
They need a place to go with them.
They need a place to go with them.
No, this is a traditional Mac, based on keyboard and mouse, that provides a completely different experience compared to the iPad, which is touch-first. Using some iPhone components doesn’t make the Mac a different product.
I don’t consider the iPadOS main interface to be dumbed down. I think macOS on the iPad wouldn’t make any user more productive, regardless of how “advanced” he is. Desktop OS just don’t work well on tablets, it’s been tried already too many times. The “simple” iPad experience already unlocks very advanced use cases that you can’t achieve with a Mac, like in the 3D area, art…
iPadOS is no way close to productive even on a pure clerical perspective due to its messy file management and inability to open multiple documents on an OS level (not in app)
youre missing my point. if there is a new low cost laptop rubbing on A series chips coming, the only missing piece is this special macos software build.
so there would be even less of a reason why someone who -chose- to run it on their ipad would not be -allowed- to.
Because Apple is not an open source company. Whether or not to release the said build is entirely up to them. Users don't really have the choice to choose
Who is this device for whenever you can buy a m4 air with 16gb of ram on sale for $749? I just bought one yesterday in fact.
secondary school students and some corporates who don't really need powerful machines?
still missing the point. if this product comes out, they will need to build and release the software. im not talking about open source.
People who don't want to pay premium prices for a laptop. 750 bucks is outlandish for a PC laptop.