Apple Planning to Launch Low-Cost MacBook Powered By iPhone Chip

[MacRumors]

Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

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In an article published on X, Kuo explained that the device will feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, making it the first Mac powered by an iPhone chip. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year. To date, all Apple silicon Macs have contained M-series chips, which offer higher core counts, support for larger amounts of memory, and better external display support. The more-affordable MacBook could come in Silver, Blue, Pink, and Yellow finishes.

The new MacBook is expected to enter mass production late in the fourth quarter of 2025 or early in the first quarter of 2026. Apple is hoping that it will drive MacBook purchases and account for 20–28% of sales next year. Chinese technology company Everwin Precision is set to benefit from the release of the new MacBook, serving as a key supplier for its casings.

Article Link: Apple Planning to Launch Low-Cost MacBook Powered By iPhone Chip

 

[zedsdead]

The A18 has the single core power basically of the M4 so this is more than enough for most people. The multi core being on par with M1 is equally enough, plus this does modern Apple intelligence etc…

Curious about the RAM however, as this is 8gb.

 

[XboxEvolved]

Didn’t Mark Gurman say something to this effect a few years ago? This is likely to offset their losses in K-12 to the likes of Chromebook. Chromebook rules schools now. If Apple were able to pull off a $600 notebook that could definitely help.

 

[plek]

For a low-cost option, I wish they could just bring back the 12" Macbook model, and stick in an M2 or M3 chip in?

 

[XboxEvolved]

The A18 has the single core power basically of the M4 so this is more than enough for most people. The multi core being on par with M1 is equally enough, plus this does modern Apple intelligence etc…

Curious about the RAM however, as this is 8gb.

The competition they are positioning against is garbage. This will be plenty.

 

[Sirious]

Yaaaas! I really wanted a small, thin, everyday Mac! Really liked the 12-inch MacBook at the time, shame it was underpowered. Never got to try one.

 

[maczaddy]

Is this meant to be a Chromebook competitor meant for elementary-high school segment?

Leaving MacBook Air for college and up?

 

[abatabia]

A revived 12” with a better keyboard would be an instant buy for me.

 

[orbital~debris]

Should be a great alternative to junky Chromebooks and price-point hitting Windows slabs.

But, there remains a danger that new customers attracted to Apple will be swayed by the price, but left underwhelmed by the necessarily lower performance – when some of them should have entered higher up the product line, even if only at MacBook Air level…

 

[iJulio]

I think this is a good move.

I suspect by “low cost” we’re looking at around $799 in terms of Apple’s pricing scheme—considering with an edu account you can get the base MacBook Air for $899.

 

[AppliedMicro]

$5 that app installation will be limited to the Apple App Store. No sideloading allowed.

“The most secure MacBook we’ve ever made. And we think you’ll love it!”

 

[SouthernApple]

Didn’t Mark Gurman say something to this effect a few years ago? This is likely to offset their losses in K-12 to the likes of Chromebook. Chromebook rules schools now. If Apple were able to pull off a $600 notebook that could definitely help.

Chromebooks are the devil. If you have kids (or have ever used one yourself), they are worse than any Windows device I've ever used. Just terrible experience for kids, especially with their short attention span as it is these days.

 

[HouseLannister]

This seems more a way of driving the production costs of the iPad Air down. I don’t really expect a third, budget laptop line.

 

[racerhomie]

This will definitely be a best seller across the Globe. I have a feeling this is happening

 

[whelmedjedi]

Mac mini with an internal battery option would be better. Currently its the only thing keeping me away from buying one for my home server. It would be great for protection against electric outages. Old laptop that im using for home server right now wins this versus..

 

[CharlesShaw]

Is it too early to start the angry threads about the cost of getting more memory and storage in the affordable MacBook? /s

 

[Zc456]

Personally, I always thought the Air was going to be a low-cost model since that was introduced during the Netbook era. Of course, I was wrong. X)

 

[AppliedMicro]

Old laptop that im using for home server right now wins this

…and it even has a console built in. 👍

 

[blipmusic]

Yay, return of the 12" macboo-

... 13-inch display ...

I'm out.

No compiling my code on an iPad, so I'll end up getting neither of these.

 

[The Samurai]

if its the size/weight of a 12" MacBook or better then my cash is waiting

 

[JSRinUK]

Is this going to replace the Air, so there’s a larger gap between the low-end MacBook and the MacBook Pro?

 

[AppliedMicro]

Personally, I always thought the Air was going to be a low-cost model since that was introduced during the Netbook era. Of course, I was wrong

When introduced, it was an ultraportable, but it quickly took the spot as the affordable entry-level model.

It’s low-cost as far as Apple does it.

 

[SexExpert]

$5 that app installation will be limited to the Apple App Store. No sideloading allowed.

“The most secure MacBook we’ve ever made. And we think you’ll love it!”

why would Apple do that? Not allowing side-loading would eliminate 99% of the software that differentiates macs from ipads, and would make any sort of dev work completely impossible.

 

[MacFan23]

A revived 12” with a better keyboard would be an instant buy for me.

This is would put me in such a tough spot. I’ve moved on to using an iPad as my portable device but I absolutely loved my little 12”. I even got it serviced just before Apple tagged them as obsolete just to give it that little bit of extra life.

 

[CharlesShaw]

Is this going to replace the Air, so there’s a larger gap between the low-end MacBook and the MacBook Pro?

The iPad lineup has three tiers which allows the pro and air to become more expensive.