Apple Launching Budget MacBook in 2026

[navaira]

Already there is talk about an OLED screen coming to the MBA. This budget MacBook would keep the current MBA-level screen. I also expect either 8GB or 12GB of RAM with the new machine while the MBA is already at 16GB. I’m hoping the new A*-chip MacBook will keep a 256GB SSD. 128GB would disappoint me but not shock me. But don’t expect much in the line of available upgrades with the new laptop. For that, Apple will likely direct you to the MBA.

Yup. 12 GB RAM, non-upgradeable, the only options being 256 GB or 512 GB storage. (I hope Apple won't be shameless enough to even try 128 GB!)

i.e. this is surely just the 2019 / M1 MBA body with a new old chip.

I can't see that happening. They got rid of the wedge shape for good. It's going to be flatland galore like every other Apple device nowadays. (I would be very happy if you were correct.)

 

[Corefile]

One app at a time and in fullscreen mode only. What is going on?

 

[chars1ub0w]

It must not cannibalize the lowest end MacBook Air. And only come in one SKU. So, 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD, no Thunderbolt, USB-C no MagSafe, be made of plastic and the cheapest screen Apple can find.

 

[bodonnell202]

My guess is that the M1 MacBook Air at Walmart was a marketing experiment to gauge demand for a lower-priced Mac. Apparently it was successful enough to warrant an updated model.

I still think they are going to take the M1 MBA and throw in an A18 Pro or A19 Pro and give it some more colorful options and there you have a MacBook SE.

 

[Biro]

I don't get it.

What don’t you get? Read some of the enthusiastic posts in this string. Clearly, many people would love a machine like this. Ask yourself: Do you really not get this… or is it just not for you?

 

[deconstruct60]

My half-donkeyed $599 specs for (in order of likely):
- A18 Pro
- smaller battery

If screen is older and smaller then the case is smaller. If just recycle the old MBA container then little reason to make battery smaller. ( the A18Pro is a lower power draw).

- no Rosetta 2

Because the cores are different or this is suppose to be Apple being petty?

- one external display
- M1's webcam
- two 10 Gbps USB-C

Decent chance that it just one USB-C socket. (e.g., Macbook 12" , and iPad ) . Hopefully MagSafe.

If there is a second socket more likely more in the range of the secondary USB 2 keyboard provisioning that the
iPads use. Could 'double' as the power port if there is no MagSafe.

- headphone jack

If they don't dramatically shrink the case, then yeah.

- two speakers

- 256GB storage (one chip)
- 12GB RAM
- sub-retina screen

even the MBA 2020 had a retina screen. Even Macbook 12" had a "Retina' screen. There are really old screens that are Retina that would be 'cheaper' than what is being used on the MBA 13" now.

- non-backlit keyboard

Again... lifting and recycling it from the MBA 2020 would be how hard?

- no charger in the box

In EU ... yeah. Elsewhere probably more drama that it is worth. Foks sticking non complaint USB chargers into the device probably generates as much tech support overhead as it supposedly saves.

- plastic case

Recycled Plastic versus Recycle Alum (that Apple and contracted minions collects) may not make much of a difference.

Apple is selling a $599 Aluminum laptop now.

Apple MacBook Air 13.3 inch Laptop - Space Gray, M1 Chip, Built for Apple Intelligence, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage - Walmart.com

Buy Apple MacBook Air 13.3 inch Laptop - Space Gray, M1 Chip, Built for Apple Intelligence, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

One case in just one color would reduce costs.

 

[KPOM]

I still think they are going to take the M1 MBA and throw in an A18 Pro or A19 Pro and give it some more colorful options and there you have a MacBook SE.

That seems most likely to me, though perhaps they move to the current design but without the notch. It probably gets 12GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence.

 

[Biro]

Just buy an M1 from WalMart?
or any M1-M4 preowned?

Base models in particular can be had for a song.

Maybe he wants something new with as much future Apple support as he can get - and a warranty. Even if he buys used, he’s not going to get an M4 for the price of this new MacBook. However, suggesting a new M1 from Wal-Mart makes sense. Still, I know I’d like to see what the new device is first - especially because some rumors indicated it would be a bit thinner and lighter than an M1 MBA.

 

[currentinterest]

My spec guess:
A19Pro (same as used in the iPhone Air)
12GB RAM
(No RAM upgrade option)
256GB SSD
(512GB SSD option)
Two USB-C ports
(No MagSafe connector)
12.9 inch Retina LCD
400 NITS brightness
Center stage 12MP camera
Aluminum case in multiple colors

Price $699
Edu Price $599

 

[whelmedjedi]

Another lie of scammer gurman proved to be a lie. Im saying this all the time. That guy and “kuo” have found the best scamming technique exists. They never have to prove their news since they will excuse by using “source privacy”. So lie all the time, get paid all the time. Lol.

 

[MayaUser]

Another lie of scammer gurman proved to be a lie. Im saying this all the time. That guy and “kuo” have found the best scamming technique exists. They never have to prove their news since they will excuse by using “source privacy”. So lie all the time, get paid all the time. Lol.

calm down and be on topic, we will see if this is a lie next year

 

[whelmedjedi]

calm down and be on topic, we will see if this is a lie next year

This is a proof of his previous lies about this mac few months ago. Lol. *Still says “we will see”* hahahahaha

 

[AlexESP]

My half-donkeyed $599 specs for (in order of likely):
- A18 Pro
- smaller battery
- no Rosetta 2
- one external display
- M1's webcam
- two 10 Gbps USB-C
- headphone jack
- two speakers
- 256GB storage (one chip)
- 12GB RAM
- sub-retina screen
- non-backlit keyboard
- no charger in the box
- plastic case

There are no sub-retina displays in any Apple product. It won’t happen (no charger in the box is much more likely). Also, no Rossetta 2 would be very weird and a non-factor.

 

[MayaUser]

Apple is selling a $599 Aluminum laptop now.

Apple is not selling that 599 laptop, but walmart

 

[MayaUser]

This is a proof of his previous lies about this mac few months ago. Lol. *Still says “we will see”* hahahahaha

what proofs..show your proof or stop with this off topic

 

[AlexESP]

That doesn't help Apple milk you out of more money for extra devices, which is the only reason you don't have that functionality at this point.

We are way past it being a technical limitation.

It would theoretically help Apple to milk you more money in general, specially given the distribution of sales between Mac and iPhone. The real reason they don’t do it is because no one* likes to use their phone as a docked computer, regardless of whether it’s technically possible. Samsung DeX has existed for a long time with very little success.

 

[deconstruct60]

I bet there will be some drawback, such as it runs macOS, but can only install/run apps from the Mac app store.

It is unlikely Apple would be running some 'forked' macOS. Limiting to the AppStore isn't not going to give them managed "Chromebook" like application management limitation abilities. there is tons of 'junk' in the appStore.

the "draw back" is going to be the A18Pro. .

Probably can only provision one "high speed" (10Gb/s) USB-C port. So either a 'one port wonder' (like MBA 12" and iPad) or second port is just the USB 2.0 needed for a keyboard case to work (in iPad context). ( or possibly a USB hub to the just the one 10Gb/s provisioning lanes that get gets 'split' between the two ports. So would be shared bandwidth. ). A USB 2.0 only port would definitely would be seen as a limiter.


Extremely good chance that the A19Pro is simply lacking in respectable laptop/desktop provisioning I/O capabilities. No Thunderbolt. (e.g. Macbook 2015)

decent chance no MagSafe. So if have just one port and need to charge it .... no more ports left. (unless run through and external power hub). In short, designed around not needing to plug in anything 99% of the time.

The RAM will likely also be capped. (maybe just one single capacity). the SSD will be much slower than an M5 family SoC (but 'fast enough' for casual usage.). Both of those are constraints imposed by the A19Pro SoC.

Weaker GPUs relative to M5 family and fewer GPU cores.

Non-A18Pro stuff.

Just one color ( to keep SKUs down and inventory cleaner ).
Fewer SSD options ( to keep SKUs down and inventory cleaner).
Recyle. 2020 MBA 13" case, screen , camera. ( old stuff with an even more limted chip inside).

 

[deconstruct60]

Apple is not selling that 599 laptop, but walmart

Like Walmart gets those from oopma-loopmas and not from Apple. Who the 'middle man' is doesn't really matter much.

 

[whelmedjedi]

what proofs..show your proof or stop with this off topic

Off topic? Proof is on website. Its obvious you are not regular here. Im not going to waste my time to look for old news. Go look at yourself, ignorant.

 

[dandyryan]

macbook mini please with the old 12" SKINNY chassis
or even the M1 wedge.

 

[Falhófnir]

Curious to see what corners they'll cut to make the price point work. Equally curious to see what improvements get made to the Air to keep it from being cannibalized by this thing.

I'd be very surprised if it's not just an M1 Air with the chip swapped out to the A18 Pro. Re-using an existing design is one of the biggest cost saving measures they can make, and it's got an off the shelf rectangular display panel, not a custom shaped one and other low cost components. All helps to reduce the bill of materials. They might also not machine out the speaker grilles to shave even more off the cost of manufacture?

What will keep it below the Air is the starting config, 8GB RAM seems nailed on, and I wouldn't be all that surprised if it's 128GB storage too, if it really is $699. That means by Apple's customer facing logic for RAM/ storage upgrades, $699 + a $200 RAM upgrade to equalise it with the Air brings it to $899, already. If it is 128GB with a +$100 storage upgrade to 256GB then a 16/256 configuration comes to the same $999 the Air does.

 

[bodonnell202]

That seems most likely to me, though perhaps they move to the current design but without the notch. It probably gets 12GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence.

Yep, agreed and then there will be 256 and 512 GB storage options and that will be it (aside from color options).

 

[phenste]

multiple folks have mentioned it already: this feels like a proper return to the concept of the 12” MacBook. butterfly keyboards aside, that model could’ve been a massive success—but it ran on Intel Core M. with Apple Silicon in the state it’s now in, it is a perfect time to put it to use for a true Chromebook competitor. biggest question now is what the Apple Tax on it will be…!

 

[DavidSchaub]

If screen is older and smaller then the case is smaller. If just recycle the old MBA container then little reason to make battery smaller. ( the A18Pro is a lower power draw).

The A* series needs less power and smaller batteries save money and weight.

Because the cores are different or this is suppose to be Apple being petty?

Rosetta will be on its last legs anyway when this ships. Also, the A* Series might not have the hardware emulation silicon optimizations for Rosetta 2. I could see it go either way.

even the MBA 2020 had a retina screen. Even Macbook 12" had a "Retina' screen. There are really old screens that are Retina that would be 'cheaper' than what is being used on the MBA 13" now.

I see it is as a convenient market segmentation, but this is why it was low on my "likelihood ranking"

 

[DavidSchaub]

There are no sub-retina displays in any Apple product. It won’t happen (no charger in the box is much more likely).

Why they were on the bottom of a "order of likely" list