Low-Price 12.9-Inch MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Reportedly Launching Early This Year

[MacRumors]

Apple plans to introduce a 12.9-inch MacBook in spring 2026, according to TrendForce.

In a press release this week, the Taiwanese research firm said this MacBook will be aimed at the entry-level to mid-range market, with "competitive pricing."

TrendForce did not share any further details about this MacBook, but the information that it shared lines up with several rumors about a more affordable MacBook, which is expected to be equipped with a version of the iPhone 16 Pro's A18 Pro chip. Apple is expected to release the laptop by March or April of this year.

In the U.S., the entry-level MacBook is expected to have a starting price between $599 and $899, with $699 or $799 being most likely. It would slot in below the MacBook Air, which starts at $999 (but is frequently on sale on Amazon for as low as $749).

A18 Pro specs include a 6-core CPU, a 6-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. The chip's performance is similar to the M1 chip, so this new MacBook could effectively be a replacement for the old MacBook Air with the M1 chip, which Apple still sells through Walmart for $599 and even as low as $549 during a recent Black Friday sale.

With an A18 Pro chip, this MacBook might have only 8GB of RAM, whereas all current MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models start with at least 16GB of RAM. The chip also lacks Thunderbolt support, so the new MacBook would likely be equipped with regular USB-C ports, with slower data transfer speeds and external display limitations.

Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was first to reveal that Apple is allegedly planning a more affordable MacBook. In June, he said the laptop will have around a 13-inch display, and the A18 Pro chip. Kuo said potential color options include silver, blue, pink, and yellow, so it could come in bright colors like the iMac.

Taiwanese supply chain publication DigiTimes later exclusively reported that this MacBook will be equipped with a 12.9-inch display like some current or past iPad Air and iPad Pro models, whereas the MacBook Air has a slightly larger 13.6-inch display.

TrendForce appears to be siding with the 12.9-inch display size.

The lower-cost MacBook could have a lot in common with the discontinued 12-inch MacBook, including an ultra-thin and lightweight design. Hopefully, it is announced within the next few months, following endless rumors from several sources.

Article Link: Low-Price 12.9-Inch MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Reportedly Launching Early This Year

 

[sw1tcher]

8GB of RAM, slower than M4 MBA, smaller display, and priced around what an M4 13" MBA is when on sale? No thanks.

 

[RumorConsumer]

If true, Apple has some serious OS optimization to do, speaking as somebody on an M1 Max....

 

[CapitalIdea]

And once it comes out people will complain that it has too few ports, lacks things like center stage and OLED, and is less powerful than a Mac Studio with Ultra processors.

 

[abdullamac77]

Apple plans to introduce a 12.9-inch MacBook in spring 2026, according to TrendForce.

In a press release this week, the Taiwanese research firm said this MacBook will be aimed at the entry-level to mid-range market, with "competitive pricing."

TrendForce did not share any further details about this MacBook, but the information that it shared lines up with several rumors about a more affordable MacBook, which is expected to be equipped with a version of the iPhone 16 Pro's A18 Pro chip. Apple is expected to release the laptop by March or April of this year.

In the U.S., the entry-level MacBook is expected to have a starting price between $599 and $899, with $699 or $799 being most likely. It would slot in below the MacBook Air, which starts at $999 (but is frequently on sale on Amazon for as low as $749).

A18 Pro specs include a 6-core CPU, a 6-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. The chip's performance is similar to the M1 chip, so this new MacBook could effectively be a replacement for the old MacBook Air with the M1 chip, which Apple still sells through Walmart for $599 and even as low as $549 during a recent Black Friday sale.

With an A18 Pro chip, this MacBook might have only 8GB of RAM, whereas all current MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models start with at least 16GB of RAM. The chip also lacks Thunderbolt support, so the new MacBook would likely be equipped with regular USB-C ports, with slower data transfer speeds and external display limitations.

Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was first to reveal that Apple is allegedly planning a more affordable MacBook. In June, he said the laptop will have around a 13-inch display, and the A18 Pro chip. Kuo said potential color options include silver, blue, pink, and yellow, so it could come in bright colors like the iMac.

Taiwanese supply chain publication DigiTimes later exclusively reported that this MacBook will be equipped with a 12.9-inch display like some current or past iPad Air and iPad Pro models, whereas the MacBook Air has a slightly larger 13.6-inch display.

TrendForce appears to be siding with the 12.9-inch display size.

The lower-cost MacBook could have a lot in common with the discontinued 12-inch MacBook, including an ultra-thin and lightweight design. Hopefully, it is announced within the next few months, following endless rumors from several sources.

Article Link: Low-Price 12.9-Inch MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Reportedly Launching Early This Year

If this thing has 5G cellular connectivity built-in, then I'm buying it without hesitation.

 

[AlanMarron]

In other words, a smaller M1 Air. I’m in!

 

[neuropsychguy]

If true, Apple has some serious OS optimization to do, speaking as somebody on an M1 Max....

What problems are you seeing? I have an M1 Pro that has no lag or any noticeable issues on macOS 26. My M4 Mini is also super smooth and problem free.

 

[tomtad]

Tim mate. Can you just deliver the goods already. I’m sat here with my credit card

 

[Blisterpeanuts]

I need to upgrade from a 2013 Air and was considering the current MBA on sale for $750 (but probs would get more memory so closer to $1K).

If this puppy discounts in the $500 range it becomes basically an iPad Air M3 replacement.

I wonder if they'll lower the prices of MBP and larger MBA commensurately? Or just sell off the inventory for a refreshed line later in '26.

 

[guspasho]

Guaranteed that if Apple ever releases a MacBook with an iPhone CPU they’ll lock it down such that you’ll never be allowed to run your own code, just like on iPhone/iPad.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Guaranteed that if Apple ever releases a MacBook with an iPhone CPU they’ll lock it down such that you’ll never be allowed to run your own code, just like on iPhone/iPad.

Then it will sell about as well as the Vision Pro, and that'll be on them. The Mac App Store is a wasteland.

I don't think it'll be locked down, though. The first test-bed Apple Silicon Mac had an iPhone processor.

 

[Stevenyo]

Having MacOS and a keyboard but A18 instead of iPadOS and no keyboard but M3 in the iPad Air or getting an A16 iPad plus accessories like a decent keyboard all around the same 600-700 price, the macBook seems like the best buy. But I do worry about tahoe on an A18 and 8gb, and I worry that having the $700 MacBook will make sub $800 MBA sales a thing of the past -- at least allow Apple to increase wholesale price even if not MSRP for the Air.

 

[lars666]

I will laugh if this has iPadOS.

 

[Andy_2341]

I will laugh if this has iPadOS.

That would be horrible experience and basically would kill the iPad Air + Magic Keyboard, so why would they do that?

 

[Andy_2341]

I find this intriguing but really have a hard time imagining taking the downgrade from a MBA. Sure, I'd love the smaller size and I don't need the power of an M4, but the little "premium" things that will get cut would be hard to lose.

Also, just a bit of wishful thinking, but what if they used A19 Pro instead and made a vapor cooled Macbook? That'd be pretty cool. Could go to vapor cooled MBA's too.

 

[lapstags]

If it runs macOS and comes in under 599 I would be tempted

 

[Stevenyo]

If this thing has 5G cellular connectivity built-in, then I'm buying it without hesitation.

I'm 1000% on team MacBooks should all have a cellular option, but buying an iphone in a laptop case just for the cell modem seems silly unless you are already looking to replace a laptop and budget wise would have been in the market for a couple year old MacBook Air on sale anyway. Hotspot data plans exist, there are mobile modems, and if Apple brings this to the new cheapo MacBook, I can't imagine a cell option on higher end models isn't coming soon too

 

[revs]

12 or 16GB RAM and that’s a great computer.

I use my Mac less and less - or at least I no longer need anything super powerful - my M1 will last me years yet. I could see me getting something like this in a few years if it’s still a product.

 

[lapstags]

I will laugh if this has iPadOS.

It would be doa if that happens

 

[code-m]

8GB of RAM, slower than M4 MBA, smaller display, and priced around what an M4 13" MBA is when on sale? No thanks.

Instead of dropping the price on the entry level MBA, Apple is going to spend more resources to introduce another product that cannot compete 1:1 on value, features and performance.

But hey it seems to be the most environmental move by Apple. /s 👏👏👏

 

[poematik13]

12GB ram would be nice, they wont do 16 as to protect the $899 MBA. 8GB probably means it wont be compatible with apple intelligence

This thing will sell gangbusters at $499 EDU / $599 regular, to the vast majority of gen x and boomers who only use their laptops for outlook and chrome

 

[deevey]

8GB of RAM, slower than M4 MBA, smaller display, and priced around what an M4 13" MBA is when on sale? No thanks.

Instead of dropping the price on the entry level MBA, Apple is going to spend more resources to introduce another product that cannot compete 1:1 on value, features and performance.

So this would most likely be cheaper than a M4 13" when it's on sale too 🤷‍♂️

 

[greenbreadmmm]

If true, Apple has some serious OS optimization to do, speaking as somebody on an M1 Max....

Well keep in mind the single core speeds are much faster on the a18pro vs m1. It's only equal to m1 in multicore score.

 

[Chet-NYC]

This is perfect for the middle and high school environment. Would allow them to do everything they already do on Google Classroom, plus the College Board's Bluebook app (for AP exams, SAT, etc.) plus a lot more that Chromebooks can't do.

 

[MikeSmoke]

It will be interesting if it has enough horsepower to run MainStage and other soft synths. Heck, my old iPhone 6s can still handle some decent soft synth apps. A real gig capable Mac on the cheap is pretty tempting.