Apple's Cheap MacBook: What to Expect in 2026

[neo_cs193p]

The only "new" laptop I could see Apple selling for $599 is an M1 Air, refitted with A18Pro.
I would love another version of the 12" MB with a larger display (12.6" perhaps) in the same body, but I don't see it happening under $1k.

 

[SebCohen]

The A18 is already faster than the M1 in single core processing and about the same in multi core. The M1 was built on an old chip process that Apple and TSMC would like to retire. They are likely producing few of them any more.

Apple isn't selling the M1 Air. They do sell some through 3rd party sales chains but that is a lower margin channel. This new MacBook is a way for Apple to reclaim those sales and get a better margin when they do.

Making it a dock for your phone would be a completely different product for which there is no current hardware or software support. They would have to put a lot of effort into that and it would confuse their product lines. The hardware would also probably cost about the same as the chip is not the most expensive part of a computer.

I always knew you were the smarter one of us 😎

That makes sense then. BUT they tried this before with a cheaper MacBook. It didn’t work then, likely won’t now. The Air is seen as the cheap laptop now and the introduction of an A series Air is NOT to make a cheaper laptop, it’s to increase the price of Air AND the PRO.

If anything l Apple should work on getting better deals on storage and memory chips. Because clearly, they s*ck at negotiating those 😎

I was serious about the dock thing. It would be developing something new, which is what Apple actually needs.

 

[flottenheimer]

Witness the return of the unapologetic plastic MacBook.

 

[Plerf]

I spent part of the weekend looking at the old plastic white (and occasionally black) iBooks. Not the colorful ones, the ones that came after.

They really were nice looking machines.

Might be nice to have something different than the same aluminum laptops in the lineup.

 

[joshwithachance]

Dude this is 2025 and almos2 2026. You will never see those prices again. Be prepared to 1k + all the time.

This is going to replace the $599 M1 MacBook Air being sold exclusively through Walmart. But be available everywhere. It will indeed cost somewhere between $599-$799, as an iPad alternative for those who prefer a more traditional laptop experience/form factor. And putting in an A-series chip not only saves them quite a bit of money, but also doesn’t entirely cannibalize the iPad Air lineup with their M-series chips.

Apple is seemingly taking a bit of a loss on this new base MacBook to get would be Windows/Android users into their ecosystem instead.

 

[darkblu]

Customers asked and Apple delivered. This is the machine that the 'Why ipad won't run macos?' crowd needed.

 

[Ferrandix]

How is that confusing? What are you even talking about lol? The general user doesn’t give a **** what chip it has, nor would they even know or pay attention. The iPad has the A16, the iPad mini has an A17 Pro, the iPad Air has an M3 and the iPad Pro has an M5. None of that causes issues for people, and neither would this. People would just see “cheap MacBook” and buy it. I would love to bet you on this because this would be easy money.

It’s funny, because you’re actually giving yourself the explanation. Indeed, iPads and iPhones use the A-series, and users know that the A19 is superior to the A18. But there are no iPhones or iPads with any other series.
Macs use the M-series, and users understand that when they buy one, an M4 is a newer version (three generations ahead) of the M1.
Then the Apple Watch uses the S9... S10...

In fact, with the M-series Apple tried to solve the major communication problem that Intel had — you could buy an i5 and have no idea how many generations apart a 2019 i5 was from a 2013 one.

Everything you’re saying — that users don’t really care, etc. — doesn’t align with Apple’s communication strategy, which is precisely about making things self-explanatory.

In fact, the M1, M2, etc. are versions of the A14 Bionic and so on — but Apple renames them so that each product segment has a CLEAR understanding of its architecture.
In other words, starting to mix CPU naming conventions across product lines is confusing.
So yes, obviously the cheaper MacBook will have an A19 (or whichever it is), but Apple will likely adjust the name so that it fits within the Mac family.

But maybe apple has done it in the past, and you can clarify me when.

 

[chucker23n1]

It’s funny, because you’re actually giving yourself the explanation. Indeed, iPads and iPhones use the A-series, and users know that the A19 is superior to the A18. But there are no iPhones or iPads with any other series.

Some iPads use the A-series, and some the M-series. So Apple has already broken this rule.

 

[Dirk Pieters]

Craig Federighi clearly stated at WWDC that there will be no MacOS on the iPad.

Steve Jobs said a stylus was yuck. Look at the Apple Pencil ecosystem now.

He also said people don’t read, then released iBooks.

Federighi isn’t going to tell you if the iPad is ever going to run macOS, is he? I mean, it’s a business: they’re not going to show the back of their tongue.

I don’t think the iPad will run macOS but it’s certainly technically possible. Just connect a mouse and keyboard to it and use the iPad screen like a monitor. Read: don’t touch it.

 

[Dirk Pieters]

I'd buy one.

I do 90% of my work in a desktop environment (my employer provides an iMac and I use a M4 Pro Mac mini at home), but I often wish I had a MacBook for light productivity work when I'm on the go (e.g., at my kid's sports practices). I've been using an 11" M1 iPad Pro as my portable device for the last few years, and iPadOS just doesn't cut it. Multitasking, and even MS Office apps (Word, Excel) are harder to use. Yet, I can't quite justify dropping $799 for a MacBook Air as a third machine.

Count me in!! I want the whole macOS shebang in a device that is as light as possible.

I don’t need this device to be connected to external monitors. I don’t need ports on it. I want a small macOS device to work on while on the move and I want to pick up and continue that same work when I’m back behind my desk.

And please - pretty please with sugar on top - release it in some vibrant colors.

 

[Dirk Pieters]

Most consumers do in fact have a hard time choosing, which is also one part of why Steve dramatically simplified the lineup in 1997.

So should everybody, including the ones who can choose, be punished with a limited choice because some can’t choose?

Should this device ever exist then the choice will be:

- a cheap, entry-level device (this one)
- something in-between: MBA
- something very powerful: MBP

Just like there are 3 types of iPad to choose from. And 3/4 types of iPhone to choose from.

I think Jobs limited the lineup because Apple was in trouble financially and needed to focus on fewer products.

 

[Dirk Pieters]

Macs use the M-series, and users understand that when they buy one, an M4 is a newer version (three generations ahead) of the M1.
Then the Apple Watch uses the S9... S10...

In fact, with the M-series Apple tried to solve the major communication problem that Intel had — you could buy an i5 and have no idea how many generations apart a 2019 i5 was from a 2013 one.

Sure, there are technically minded people who follow Apple’s annual releases and who know the difference between an M3 and M5.

But there’s plenty non-technical people out there who need a (new) computer, go to a store and buy one.

If my mum or my wife were to buy a computer they wouldn’t know (or care!!!) if it was powered by an Intel i5, an M5 or a dozen hamsters running around in a wheel. These people buy a computer because they need one, are on a budget and care nothing about this one being x times faster than that one.

Processor speeds or number of gpus only makes sense for nerds.

 

[Warped9]

Whenever I’ve been asked what certain tech terms mean I often use simple analogies to explain it and you often see the light go on.

Hard drive or HDD - it looks like a little record player that holds all your stuff. Over the years the little motor and gears wear out so your computer gets incrementally slower…until you can’t take it anymore.

SSD - instead of a disc it’s like a chip about the size of your fingernail that holds all your stuff only no moving parts to wear out. So your computer likely won’t slow down over time the same way, barring any other issues.

RAM - think of it as computer version of human short memory only more capable. Amount of computer memory available to do whatever task or tasks you’re doing. The more RAM the easier to juggle doing a number of things at the same time.

Processor - the computer’s brain or motor. The more powerful the faster it runs. Intel and AMD are like Ford and GM—both do essentially the same thing. You can think of the different series of chips like 4, 6 and 8 cyl. engines.

Data transfer - No, your old computer isn’t losing anything. We’re just copying whats on it to the new computer.

Why does my email need a password? - think of email as a community mailbox and your password is the key to get your mail. The cloud is essentially the same thing, a community storage unit.

My laptop (or phone or tablet) doesn’t charge like before and doesn’t last - any rechargeable battery eventually gets old and tired because it can be recharged only so many times, hundreds to thousands of times, but eventually it loses its potency (kinda like people). If your phone or tablet are getting creaky that way don’t wait until it dies or you’ll lose everything on the device unless you backed it up somewhere.


My father was not a technical person, but if you explained something in a certain way he understood. And a lot of my customers are not only not tech oriented but also many are middle-aged or seniors.

 

[chucker23n1]

So should everybody, including the ones who can choose, be punished with a limited choice because some can’t choose?

This is a very 1999 argument to have, but yes. Apple will limit the choices you have. This is nothing new.

(There's always other brands to choose from.)

Should this device ever exist then the choice will be:

- a cheap, entry-level device (this one)
- something in-between: MBA
- something very powerful: MBP

Just like there are 3 types of iPad to choose from. And 3/4 types of iPhone to choose from.

Yes.

Which I don't object to, so I'm unsure why you're bringing it up. (That said, the iPad Air is already a little silly. It's "Pro but cheaper". It has no real reason to exist beyond that.)

I think Jobs limited the lineup because Apple was in trouble financially and needed to focus on fewer products.

That was part of it, but he also very explicitly pointed out that the Mac line-up was too confusing.

 

[chucker23n1]

Steve Jobs said a stylus was yuck. Look at the Apple Pencil ecosystem now.

The Apple Pencil is not the primary input device of an iPad. It's not even included. You're still primarily interacting with a finger.

The Apple Pencil is not a concession that Steve was wrong. It exists for specialized use cases such as drawing, not for interacting with the UI, which is what Steve was talking about (see, for example, Windows Mobile or the Apple Newton).

 

[SactoGuy18]

I think in the end, the new lower-cost MacBook will come with the following specs:

A18 Pro SoC with 16 GB of RAM
256 GB of local storage (with possible 512 GB option)
N1 I/O chip
Two USB Type C ports with USB 3.2 2x2 data transfer speed and PD 3.0 charging rate up to 67 watts
13" display

 

[DavidSchaub]

Steve Jobs said a stylus was yuck. Look at the Apple Pencil ecosystem now.

He also said people don’t read, then released iBooks.

Federighi isn’t going to tell you if the iPad is ever going to run macOS, is he? I mean, it’s a business: they’re not going to show the back of their tongue.

I don’t think the iPad will run macOS but it’s certainly technically possible. Just connect a mouse and keyboard to it and use the iPad screen like a monitor. Read: don’t touch it.

Well said.

People often quote Apple's statements as on going facts, but often miss that Apple statements are only accurate at the moment of time they're said.

The plan is the plan until it isn't the plan.

Nothing is stopping Apple from changing their mind the next day.

The iMac G4 was the perfect natural shape for a computer, until the iMac G5 was announced.

 

[DavidSchaub]

The Apple Pencil is not the primary input device of an iPad. It's not even included. You're still primarily interacting with a finger.

The Apple Pencil is not a concession that Steve was wrong. It exists for specialized use cases such as drawing, not for interacting with the UI, which is what Steve was talking about (see, for example, Windows Mobile or the Apple Newton).

Correct.

The reality of Apple's products and plans are more nuanced than what Apple says.

"The truth Apple speaks, may not be the truth people think they hear"... is the art of marketing.

 

[smulji]

Well said.

People often quote Apple's statements as on going facts, but often miss that Apple statements are only accurate at the moment of time they're said.

The plan is the plan until it isn't the plan.

Nothing is stopping Apple from changing their mind the next day.

The iMac G4 was the perfect natural shape for a computer, until the iMac G5 was announced.

I've learned to pay attention to what Apple does, not what Apple says

 

[Ad47uk]

Apple isn’t going for the lower end market. You already see this with the base iPad and the iPhone 16e—those aren’t “budget” entry level devices in the conventional sense although they are entry level by Apple’s standards. The lower end market is comprised of what I think of as rent-a-device (phone, tablet or laptop) because the cheap price is getting you a largely throwaway item with limited capability and subpar components. This new MacBook is definitely not that.

If this comes in at $999 or $899 CA it’s going to generate a lot of interest. Ideally this could be priced at no more than $949 CA. If sales prices of about $799 CA happen periodically it’s going to be a very appealing option for a lot of people.

Then it is not going to aim at the Chromebook market, most Chromebooks in the UK are around the £300, there are the odd uses a bit higher, some even lower, one i did see for around £500, but that is not the norm. Chromebooks are at the budget end, so Apple is certainly not chasing them.

 

[Ad47uk]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1985755906928419074

This is not taking into account iPads and Android tablets.

I don't know who he is, and he posts on X, so why should I take notice of what he says? Anyone worth their salt don;t post on X.


Budget for most people, certainly in the u.K is £400-£500 mark, if Apple goes above that, then companies have nothing to worry about.
I like macOS, i like my Mac Mini, being a newish convert, but I know a lot of people who would never touch a Mac, not matter what the price is. Windows is familiar and while i picked up the Mac Ui pretty easily for the most part, some people may not or may not want to.
The only thing we can do is wait and see.

 

[Warped9]

Then it is not going to aim at the Chromebook market, most Chromebooks in the UK are around the £300, there are the odd uses a bit higher, some even lower, one i did see for around £500, but that is not the norm. Chromebooks are at the budget end, so Apple is certainly not chasing them.

Exactly. Yes, there are a few Chromebooks with better spacs and priced higher, but they’re not common. Most Chromebooks are bottom end of the market. So for Youtubers and others to say Apple is going after the Chromebook market is misleading.

 

[darkblu]

Then it is not going to aim at the Chromebook market, most Chromebooks in the UK are around the £300, there are the odd uses a bit higher, some even lower, one i did see for around £500, but that is not the norm. Chromebooks are at the budget end, so Apple is certainly not chasing them.

Indeed. High-school students are not getting their $300-400 chromebooks replaced by macbooks any time soon. But what some might be missing from the picture is that Apple might be positioning their budget notebook against an upcoming contender -- Android Desktop notebooks, incl. chromebook plus devices, which I expect to get rebranded as Android Desktop devices sooner than later.

 

[azhava]

Price this right and it's an instabuy for me. It's all I need from a laptop - actually it's more than I need since I don't really "need" a laptop for anything, but at the right price I'd buy one just for the convenience of having it when I'm not at my iMac.

 

[Ad47uk]

Indeed. High-school students are not getting their $300-400 chromebooks replaced by macbooks any time soon. But what some might be missing from the picture is that Apple might be positioning their budget notebook against an upcoming contender -- Android Desktop notebooks, incl. chromebook plus devices, which I expect to get rebranded as Android Desktop devices sooner than later.

We will see, in the U.K, the Chromebook is not linked with students, I am sure there are some that do have Chromebook, but I expect those that do have a computer, the majority will be windows based.

Android desktops used to be around years ago, I know of someone who have one, just like a larger tablet stuck on a stand, when I say larger I mean 24inch size. Not used any more as it is way out of date, but it was interesting at the time.

Desktop computers and even laptop sales have dropped over the years as people now use their phones or even a tablet to do things they used to do with their hulking big tower machines. A lot of younger people I know don't have a desktop or a laptop.