Low-Cost MacBook Expected on March 4 in These Colors

[MacRumors]

Apple will announce its rumored low-cost MacBook at its event on March 4, with the device coming in a selection of bold color options, according to a known leaker.

Earlier this week, Apple announced a "special Apple Experience" for the media in New York, London, and Shanghai, taking place on March 4, 2026 at 9:00am ET.

Posting on Weibo, the leaker known as "Instant Digital" said that the color scheme of the Apple logo graphic used for the upcoming "Apple Experience" should match the colors of the new entry-level Mac. The invite graphic shows a 3D Apple logo made up of transparent discs in yellow, green, and blue. The post effectively constitutes a claim that the device is set to arrive at the event.

In June 2025, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that the more-affordable MacBook could come in silver, blue, pink, and yellow finishes, which would match the entry-level iPad. In his latest newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple has tested a range of playful color options for its upcoming low-cost MacBook, going well beyond the muted tones available on its current laptop lineup.

Gurman said the colors tested so far include light yellow, light green, blue, pink, classic silver, and dark gray, although he added that it is unlikely all of them will ship. The color palette would make the budget MacBook the most colorful laptop Apple has offered since the iBook G3 era in the late 90s, which included Tangerine, Blueberry, Indigo, Graphite, and Key Lime.

The low-cost machine is expected to feature a 12.9-inch display, an aluminum chassis, and an iPhone chip, likely the A18 Pro, rather than an M-series processor. It will likely retail for well below $1,000.

Article Link: Low-Cost MacBook Expected on March 4 in These Colors

 

[MayaUser]

Nice to have colours for an consumer device...green should look good, probably imac style

 

[Apple_Robert]

Am I confused, or wasn’t this same information posted in the last article?

I wouldn’t mind a mint green like we had before with the iPhone. Yellow is a second choice if there isn’t going to be purple. I would definitely buy an orange color like the back of the current iMac.

 

[macintologist]

Wish it was closer to 12”.

 

[syklee26]

Sounds like ibook is coming back!

 

[infiniteentropy]

I hope Apple doesn’t try what Microsoft did with their “R” edition of Windows and ship this will a version of iOS. Keep it macOS and it will be amazing. And 16GB RAM please. 8GB is useless in 2026.

 

[dustin_]

I hope Apple doesn’t try what Microsoft did with their “R” edition of Windows and ship this will a version of iOS. Keep it macOS and it will be amazing. And 16GB RAM please. 8GB is useless in 2026.

zero chance they run ios on a macbook & there have been no rumors suggesting such a thing.

 

[Rogifan]

If those are the colors I don’t see what’s bold about them. I guess the pink one is ok but seems like it would become dated easily. The yellowish/greenish/goldish one is just not a good color and the blue is too pale. Bring back the colors Apple used on iPods.

 

[anakin44011]

I'm a little surprised they don't mention orange...given how popular the color is on the iPhone Pro. I'm not a fan myself, but listening to people go crazy over it, I think Apple made the right move in making it in that color...I just wish there was a black/dark gray option for boring people like me.

As for the new budget MacBook, having been through the original iMac era, I can see how the colors could really get out of hand (remember Dalmation iMacs?) and could easily become an inventory nightmare -- which, I believe, is how Tim Cook first made an impact on the company.

But this will generate attention and interest...and probably fly off the shelves.

...and, of course, MacRumors readers will decry the lack of true innovation or the fact that the budget MacBook won't include Thunderbolt 6, 3D touchscreens, or drive 6 external monitors.😜

 

[kotaKat]

Am I confused, or wasn’t this same information posted in the last article?

I wouldn’t mind a mint green like we had before with the iPhone. Yellow is a second choice if there isn’t going to be purple. I would definitely buy an orange color like the back of the current iMac.

It’s not confirmed until the Garbageman pukes it out next. Stay tuned for the next Power Off!

 

[Apple_Robert]

I'm a little surprised they don't mention orange...given how popular the color is on the iPhone Pro. I'm not a fan myself, but listening to people go crazy over it, I think Apple made the right move in making it in that color...I just wish there was a black/dark gray option for boring people like me.

As for the new budget MacBook, having been through the original iMac era, I can see how the colors could really get out of hand (remember Dalmation iMacs?) and could easily become an inventory nightmare -- which, I believe, is how Tim Cook first made an impact on the company.

But this will generate attention and interest...and probably fly off the shelves.

...and, of course, MacRumors readers will decry the lack of true innovation or the fact that the budget MacBook won't include Thunderbolt 6, 3D touchscreens, or drive 6 external monitors.😜

After seeing the orange iPhone in person, I decided I didn’t like it and prefer the orange iMac color.

 

[Macalway]

This doesn't look like innovation like it used to be, with the smaller models.

So I'm not excited about these having an Air already.

 

[tonmischa]

A green MacBook with 16GB RAM for $599 would be an Instant Buy for me.
I can dream, can't I? 🙂

 

[MayaUser]

This shade of green should use for the Macbook, not to showy not to dark

 

[orbital~debris]

Nice to have colours for an consumer device...green should look good, probably imac style

Yes, they should look good!

The only thing that could have been better, in metal, was the shade of green used on the back shell of M1 & M3 iMac – it had a teal tone which has always reminded me of the original Bondi Blue iMac.

 

[loby]

Trying not to get my hopes up, I want a 12", thin, 16GB RAM (base) with 512GB, light, and good for travel.

But...I believe this is catered to the kiddies for school etc.

Not a problem, but I am not getting my hopes up. Better to be WOWed then let down...again.

 

[Apple_Robert]

This doesn't look like innovation like it used to be, with the smaller models that were fantastic, albeit being innovation, weren't just for the money (if that makes sense).

So I'm not excited. Am I wrong not to be?

In my opinion, we are in a time where current released tech is the current peak. Behind closed doors is a whole different world which may take a little longer to see the light.

If one is not careful, being on a forum like this can cause one to develop unrealistic expectations with every news of a release, without realizing. False expectations can never be satisfied with the reality of what is.

 

[Techwatcher]

If we’re putting macOS on a literal iPhone chip, then at this point we might as well put macOS on actual iPhones and iPads as sideloadable options and call it a day. Every decision not to is 100% arbitrary now.

 

[Will Co]

Not in the market for a newer MacBook at the moment, but I'm liking the yellow....

 

[turbineseaplane]

I will remain fully skeptical on this offering until proven otherwise.

The penny pinching Services obsessed Apple operation under Tim has been one letdown after another of late.

 

[iZac]

Based on the invite logo colours, I did a quick re-render of my previous concept to see what these colours might look like.

 

[joshwithachance]

Cut, copy, and pasting the base iPad colors on the base MacBook... Groundbreaking.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

If we’re putting macOS on a literal iPhone chip, then at this point we might as well put macOS on actual iPhones and iPads as sideloadable options and call it a day. Every decision not to is 100% arbitrary now.

The first mac on ARM was running an A12 iPhone chip... Well it was the A12Z, which I guess was for the iPad.

Sideloading is a dirty word for Apple, and makes Tim cry.

Developers Begin Receiving Mac Mini With A12Z Chip to Prepare Apps for Apple Silicon Macs

As part of WWDC last week, Apple announced that it will be switching to its own custom-designed processors for Macs starting later this year. As part of this transition, the company is allowing developers to apply for a modified Mac mini with an A12Z chip and 16GB of RAM to develop and test...

www.macrumors.com

 

[aknabi]

I’m just hoping it’s not a 8GB machine… that it’s 12GB (I can’t see them giving it the full 16 like the air)… that’s enough for cafe/couch development and when I need more than the iPad Pro/Magic KB combo (frankly this would likely replace it).

Been waiting for a MB12 replacement for a decade!

 

[darngooddesign]

I wonder if this will use the current MBA design, just smaller, or have a new design ahead of the MBP redesign.