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New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

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Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors.


Earlier today, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. The machine is expected to feature a 13-inch display, the A18 Pro chip, and color options that include silver, blue, pink, and yellow.

MacRumors can now reveal that it first spotted evidence of such a device in backend code related to Apple Intelligence last summer, and subsequently confirmed its use of the A18 Pro chip. The machine features the identifier "Mac17,1."

This would be the first Mac powered by an ‌iPhone‌ chip. 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 A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year.

According to Kuo, the new MacBook is expected to enter mass production late in the fourth quarter of 2025 or early in the first quarter of 2026, which situates launch in the first half of next year.

Article Link: New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/06/30/new-macbook-with-a18-chip-spotted/
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Honestly never thought I'd see the day. This thing should be 12" though and cost $599. Maybe it's an education version to compete more with the Chromebook? Otherwise I'm not sure why they would pinch pennies that hard with a year old iPhone chip.
 
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I don't get it.

CPUs don't make up a very large line item on the bill of materials (the screen is probably more expensive). And if the point is "cheaper Macbook Air," why not keep selling M2s? Or build out of plastic?

A new 12" Macbook would at least be carving out a new category. (and I would buy one, like, immediately)

((I always thought those old 11" Macbook Airs from the Intel days were ridiculous, but also ridiculously popular))
 
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I would be curious to find out the price, specs, and what OS it will be running. Could be an interesting new product. I'm kind of hoping its Apple's version of a Chromebook (Android on a laptop), basically the iphone or ipad's OS on a laptop.
 
Eric_WVGG said:
I don't get it.

CPUs don't make up a very large line item on the bill of materials (the screen is probably more expensive). And if the point is "cheaper Macbook Air," why not keep selling M2s? Or build out of plastic?

A new 12" Macbook would at least be carving out a new category. (and I would buy one, like, immediately)

((I always thought those old 11" Macbook Airs from the Intel days were ridiculous, but also ridiculously popular))
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It's not only about the cost, but about availability and capacity to manufacture.

Most likely Apple is maxed out on M series chip manufacturing. There may be no room to manufacture more chips in the time needed or to sell more MacBooks.

A-series chips may be manufactured at a different line/plant and there might be capacity to increase production.

Adding to this if this new Macbook (I assume this would be the replacement of the 12" Macbook) is 699 or 799 (200 USD difference to Air) any student will grab it instantly - plus I'm sure retailers might/will offer 100 off, which would make it a killer base laptop.
 
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Anaxarxes said:
It's not only about the cost, but about availability and capacity to manufacture.

Most likely Apple is maxxed our M series chip manufacturing. There may be no room to manufacture more chips in the time needed.

A series chips may be manufactured at a different line/plant and there might be capacity to increase production.

Adding to this if this new Macbook (I assume this would be the replacement of the 12" Macbook) is 699 or 799 (200 USD difference to Air) any student will grab it instantly - plus I'm sure Retailer swill offer 100 off would make it a killer base laptop.
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Hm. Interesting point. Especially if they're having an easier time making A chips outside China than M chips.

My money is still on iPadOS though, given the new developments with windows & menus in the upcoming release.
 
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If this meant bonkers battery life with an even smaller display (thinner, lighter) I would be very interested. But the rumor mill doesn't seem to be headed in that direction.

Still, these rumors are very early so I'd expect them to change 20 times before a real product is (maybe) announced.
 
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jarman92 said:
This is just a bizarre rumor/product. Estimates are that the M1 costs Apple ~$40/chip, and the A18 costs...~$40/chip. So what's the point?
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Software support for more years, unfortunately the M1 will stop receiving macOS updates in a couple years. Also for a machine like this, the single core performance is waaaay more important as this will not be geared towards professional use, but more basic tasks, so the A18 Pro will be better than the M1. And lastly, it gives the illusion of tiered value, Apple can sell this cheap and it’ll be fine because it won’t be looked at as a “serious M powered chip”.
 
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I have been hearing budget MacBook rumors as long as I have been an Apple fan, I don’t think it’s going to happen.
It especially does not make sense today when you can get an M3 iPad for under $600.
assuming this Mac does exist, it’s obviously not gonna be any cheaper than $600. Apple making a Mac the same price as a Chromebook is something that will never happen.
Apple just made a big splash about 16 GB of RAM becoming the new default, the A18 has 8 GB of RAM.
and if they were trying to shoot for the ultra portable angle, they’ve already put an M4 in the iPad Pro at 5 MM thick. and from description, this is clearly not the return of the ultra portable 12 inch MacBook.

So… it’s a MacBook Air that comes in colors, that has an iPhone chip, half the RAM but is more expensive than an iPad.

Who is this for!
someone who wants macOS is just going to get the already quite affordable M4 or even M3/M2 MacBook Air, all which have came with 16 GB of RAM by default for the last nine months and could be found for as cheap as $650.
The people who don’t care are just going to get the iPad.
so who is this for?
 
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