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Apple's Cheap MacBook: What to Expect in 2026
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Probably right but considering that it's rumored to release in 1H of 2026, I'd prefer it to be powered by the A19 Pro. The A18 Pro will be 1.5 years old by then. Unless, of course, Apple surprises us and releases it this year.
Given that Apple standardized to 16GB base-level RAM across their entire Mac lineup, due to support for AI features, I'm skeptical if 8GB is going to be enough, even with this device aimed at the basic user.
To be fair, they updated the affordable iPad in 2025 with a chip that does not support AI, and since this rumored MacBook would be an entry level device, perhaps they don't care.
The whole point is for Apple to use whichever processor they can get cheaper. This relates in large part to which ones are getting volume production OR which one has a surplus due to other devices moving on to newer chips. After all, the target audience isn't fussy about performance since if they were they'd move up to the Air or such.
It will have touchID or FaceID. Biometric security is not really optional on Apple platforms at this point, though technically you can use a 3rd party keyboard with desktop models.
Agreed ... given how they run things, I wouldn't be surprised if the entire point of this device is simply for the lower entry price point and to get folks on the "should I upgrade to X model" decision tree.
I would prefer that as well but saving money will be the more important factor in this situation, so I fully expect it to be the A18 Pro. Similar to the base iPad, that’s currently on the A16 because it saves money and it’s still good enough for that device, this will be exactly like that but for the MacBook line.
Also again, this is going for cheap, remember this MacBook is specifically being released to replace the M1 MacBook Air that’s currently being sold for $599 and that has 8GB and 256GB. Honestly I think one of the reasons they updated everything to 16GB base was to use that spec as an upsale compared to this new MacBook. They can’t make it too good because then it will cannibalize the MacBook Air, even if I would obviously prefer 16GB, I fully understand and expect it not to. Would be awesome though. I also don’t think AI is gonna be an important factor for this laptop, it will still be able to do AI and that’s all that kind of matters.
Tons of comments here already but I'm actually all for this. It's past time that this hardware be made more affordable, so much power is available now for relatively cheap. Stop letting Windows run everything, get macOS everywhere.
And then re-focus on making macOS the best desktop operating system on Earth!
And then re-focus on making macOS the best desktop operating system on Earth!
Exactly! I feel like this is literally Apple fulfilling the promise of what everyone hoped when they transitioned from intel to Apple silicon. We all dreamed of the possibility of Apple being able to make super powerful devices for a lot cheaper, instead of the compromises we had with intel, which were even more expensive. I have said for years that Apple was gonna bring back the cheap MacBook (although back then I kept guessing it was gonna be the A17 Pro) because I guessed that Apple was waiting for 3nm to bring this product back, but once we heard about how bad the yields were for that first 3nm process I’m not surprised they moved on from the A17/M3 chips as quick as possible. So A18 Pro makes perfect sense and I hope they just go for super thin and light for ultra portability.
I wouldn't be surprised if it's just the M1 Macbook Air with its wedge design and everything, but with an A18 or A19 Pro.
It's a low end Apple device so you gotta keep your expectations low, look at the base iPad, iPhone 16E and Apple Watch SE.
It's a low end Apple device so you gotta keep your expectations low, look at the base iPad, iPhone 16E and Apple Watch SE.
This is how I'm thinking, until proven otherwise.
Apple will maintain its margins, so if this is truly a budget device, there have to be some serious corners getting cut.
No, they would shrink the bezels by expanding the screen to 13”. The case would not need to shrink.
That logic will NEVER work. You can’t compare a brand new retail price to used prices because that’s not apples to apples. You have to compare used prices to the used price of this new MacBook, in a couple years this MacBook will be around $300 used. But the only way for a used product to exist is for it to be brand new first. I know you’re not suggesting that Apple should just stop making any products ever again, but that’s basically what you’re saying when you use that logic. “Why buy a new device when you can buy a used device?” If everyone did that then all of this wouldn’t even exist, so that’s a very ignorant way to look at this. Besides this new MacBook will be BETTER than the M1 MacBook Air in a lot of ways, so there’s plenty of reasons to buy it.
Up until last year I would agree, but OS26 can be 100% used with a M&K and has all the windowing and so on. I reckon they might resurrect the iBook branding for it to separate it from the MacBook Air.
eMac but since then Chromebooks have overtaken schools and very good business knows one has to initiate at a young age to drive loyalty. Apple had already admitted this with the late Steve Jobs and then seemed to have lost focus and has found that Google will pull the rug from under Apple with the Chromebook in grade schools hence this device needs to be as good if not better than the competitors at a reasonable price.
Apple doesn’t make much profit from the educational specific hardware like the eMac which it sold at razor thin profit margins if there was any. It sold it in bulk directly to schools later it was opened to anyone to buy before being discontinued. It was a beautiful looking and designed machine basically OG iMac with updated hardware at sub-$999 cost. Schools could get it for far less. The rumour was that Apple wanted to replace the CRT to an LCD but was unable to balance the display quality and price point hence it discontinued it. A coworker that an eMac when it was open for public purchase and it was a beautiful workhorse on his desk and he always had this smile when using it, a true iconic machine of history.
Am I being graded in MacRumours Forum English school. 😒
I had an eMac for several years until I bought my mid 2011 21.5 iMac. The eMac was quite nice and a workhorse while I had it. It was still working well enough when I upgraded. I kept in storage for a few years until I sold it to a coworker who liked to collect older tech. He still has it.
Yup, the iPod (close enough, independent of specific competitors)
The only time Apple has ever had a product line where they had a product at every plausible price point.
iPod Apple was great, and brought them market share which setup the success of the iPhone.
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