New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

[Bearygoodfries1]

I wouldn’t mind a “cheap” MacBook to carry around and not freak out if it gets scratched or hit, etc.

Question is, what would be considered “low cost” for this type of product.

 

[Plerf]

Ngl, this seems like a weird idea.

Unless they’re going into the education space again and need to get into striking distance of chromebooks or something.

Guess we’ll see.

 

[nicolas17]

How did “macrumors” identify this?

There is literally zero information other than the identifier, what exactly links the identifier to this rumored Mac? “Can now reveal” and “subsequently confirmed” sure implies a lot more than any of the text suggests, what in the ever loving lack of journalism?

Did Macrumors have a scoop and …not share it? This is such a confusing post.

There were Apple Intelligence files with an H17P variant (that's the A18 Pro) for devices Mac17,1 iPhone17,1 iPhone17,2 iPhone17,3 iPhone17,4.

I think at the time publishing about Mac17,1 would have easily let Apple realize where the info came from and they would remove it, and then Macrumors would have missed things like "there will be five iPhone 16 models". But by now they already removed it, so it's no big deal anymore.

 

[Chet-NYC]

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

Schools pay about $948 for a 13" M1 MacBook Air with 3 years of AC+ with no service fees.

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

If Apple can make a MacBook Air for schools at a price competitive with Chromebooks that would be awesome.

I'm a retired history teacher and still work as a substitute at my old school. In the wake of Covid, schools got tons of money for technology. My school, with an enrollment of about 3200 students, has something like 3000 Chromebooks. They aren't just used for daily classwork, but more importantly for testing. All SAT exams, AP exams, etc. are now digital. Schools must have this equipment.

Most of the Chromebooks (which are awful) are nearing the end of their five year warranty. This is probably true for a lot of schools. This would be a great opportunity for Apple to step in with a better piece of hardware at a good price. If using an A18 Pro or A19 Pro chip instead of an M-series (Apple still sells M1 MacBook Airs to school...$948 with three years of AC+ and no service fee.)

 

[ksec]

A 13" MacBook Air with A18 Pro 8GB memory at $799. Possibly with only 1 TB4 Port and Apple Wifi and BT combo. May be even thinner as well.

 

[hardwickj]

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.

Nearly all Apple Silicon chips are manufactured by TSMC in Taiwan, not China, with a small share made in their new facilities in Arizona.

TSMC's production capacity, at this point in the lifecycle of the M4 architecture, is absolutely NOT the issue. If anything this is likely the opposite problem, e.g. using up excess production of the A18 Pro chips given that the iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max sales were lackluster compared to expectations.

 

[Plerf]

“Everything” is arbitrary. iPhones, iPads and Macs have what you call “software restrictions” because they make sense a functional point of view, and sharing chips changes none of that.

So, they’re arbitrary choices.

So you agree with OP.

 

[mysticmanix]

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.

Exactly right, they make like what, 10x more iPhones than Macs? Their A chip maker can just squeeze out some more A18 chips, and if these sell well, they can just discontinue and save the cost of making low end M chips and reserve them only for the Pro Macbooks.

In fact, I think that's exactly what they're gonna do

 

[KPOM]

Yeah anybody thinking this is going to result in a lower cost product is fooling themselves. This is just about thermals so they can make an even thinner laptop.

MacBook Air is already at $999. I can see $799 or $699. Apple can skimp on other components (slower NAND, limited external display support). Conceivably this is to replace the M1 that Apple still sells at Walmart with one that is officially supported.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

That 12" MacBook was the best machine Apple has ever made. It's the foundation for the entire place we are now with Apple's laptop lineup.

I have to slightly disagree on this.

The 12" MacBook was one of the coolest concepts Apple has ever released. And one of the best looking laptops ever, IMO.

But it was relatively useless as a working computer. The CPU - even as underpowered as it was - still throttled wildly whenever you tried anything slightly taxing.

I got one as my work machine, and although it was always the best looking machine, it was slightly useless.

That said, with a new, less power hungry Apple Silicone chip, be it a variant of an A chip or an M chip, could be Apple's most awesome laptop, ever. Just make it with aluminium, preferably with the tapered design, and not plastic like the iBooks and MacBooks of old.

 

[KPOM]

I wouldn’t mind a “cheap” MacBook to carry around and not freak out if it gets scratched or hit, etc.

Question is, what would be considered “low cost” for this type of product.

Considering they sell M1 MacBook Airs for $649 at Walmart I would guess the MacBook would start there.

 

[ultratiem]

Another Cook product that serves absolutely no one and fragments their product catalogue all for the sake of having some buffer to absorb upcoming iPhone sales short falls. Nice start to 2025 🫠

Now we just need an Apple Cloth with an M1.

 

[akidd]

So why didn't you tell us? 🤨

Because MR didn't immediately link a computer with a phone chip? But it would be interesting to get some background on what MR thought it might have meant and the subsequent thought process.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Another Cook product that serves absolutely no one and fragments their product catalogue all for the sake of having some buffer to absorb upcoming iPhone sales short falls. Nice start to 2025 🫠

Now we just need an Apple Cloth with an M1.

"How can we make this all even more confusing while masking a price increase...?"

 

[JohnC1959]

Exactly right, they make like what, 10x more iPhones than Macs? Their A chip maker can just squeeze out some more A18 chips, and if these sell well, they can just discontinue and save the cost of making low end M chips and reserve them only for the Pro Macbooks.

In fact, I think that's exactly what they're gonna do

Also, since the A18 is in the iPhone 16 pro, they would end up with surplus A18 chips when they move to the A19 for the iPhone 17 pro

 

[nickf]

Weird. Netbook Pro?

 

[MayaUser]

That doesn't mean that Apple will magically start selling $300 laptops.

i said under 699 not under 400. Probably 599

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Ngl, this seems like a weird idea.

Unless they’re going into the education space again and need to get into striking distance of chromebooks or something.

Guess we’ll see.

If so, this may ONLY be available through education channels and not at retail.

 

[djc6]

I hope its polycarbonite plastic like the iBook G3/G4 and not metal. My kids have bent metal chromebooks in their overstuffed bookbags - polycarbonate chromebooks have proven themselves to much far sturdier !

 

[novagamer]

There were Apple Intelligence files with an H17P variant (that's the A18 Pro) for devices Mac17,1 iPhone17,1 iPhone17,2 iPhone17,3 iPhone17,4.

I think at the time publishing about Mac17,1 would have easily let Apple realize where the info came from and they would remove it, and then Macrumors would have missed things like "there will be five iPhone 16 models". But by now they already removed it, so it's no big deal anymore.

Thanks, that context helps a lot.

 

[gleepskip]

If Apple would set the price of this at an impulse buy level, it would be amazing. Also, Apple will never market products at impulse buy pricing.

Instead, we'll get a gimped computer that is far too close in price to the latest Air.

 

[snipr125]

I have to slightly disagree on this.

The 12" MacBook was one of the coolest concepts Apple has ever released. And one of the best looking laptops ever, IMO.

But it was relatively useless as a working computer. The CPU - even as underpowered as it was - still throttled wildly whenever you tried anything slightly taxing.

I got one as my work machine, and although it was always the best looking machine, though slightly useless.

That said, with a new, less power hungry Apple Silicone chip, be it a variant of an A chip or an M chip, could be Apple's most awesome laptop, ever. Just make it with aluminium, preferably with the tapered design, and not plastic like the iBooks and MacBooks of old.

Yes definitely this unless they use 100% recycled plastic. They already dropped Leather, hopefully they drop plastic also going forward (at least heavily minimise its use). Apple likes to maintain their clean, environmentally friendly image.

 

[KPOM]

There are a few possibilities here:

1. Apple keeps the existing 13" MacBook Air chassis (which is due for a redesign in late 2026 or 2027) and slots this in as a relatively inexpensive entry level model lacking higher-end features such as support for 2 external displays, and uses cheaper components (memory, NAND). This is probably the least expensive option.
2. Apple brings back a revised version of the 12" MacBook chassis, slightly thicker to accommodate a "Magic Keyboard" and with a much smaller bezel and maybe a notch so that they can say the screen is 13". This model may not hit $699 but would appeal to the old 12" MacBook crowd, but would be better since it would have decent power.
3. Apple brings back polycarbonate (think iBook or the iPhone 5c). This could appeal to the education market (more durable than a MacBook Air, more versatile than an iPad).

 

[FasterQuieter]

I love the idea of a tiny 10" Mac that is small enough to take anywhere and also powerful enough to plug into a large monitor and use as a desktop.

 

[mzeb]

It is the form factor or the weight or both? I only care about weight. On the Windows side there are options under 2 lb. Nothing on the Mac side. 11" would be too small for the way websites are designed these days.

Both . I actually have an 8" iPad mini 5 in a clamcase that works well but it is getting a bit long in the tooth. It's perfect for travel. And try making a Mac Safari window narrow. A lot of sites flex to the mobile version automatically so it wouldn't surprise me if Apple isn't planning for the case you mentioned.