Rumored Colors for Low-Cost MacBook Were Originally Tested for 2022 MacBook Air Redesign

[MacRumors]

Apple tested color options for the 2022 MacBook Air redesign that are said to be similar to the finishes planned for its forthcoming low-cost MacBook, according to a Chinese leaker.

Apple is expected to announce its rumored low-cost MacBook at an event on March 4, with the device coming in a selection of bold color options that are believed to include yellow, green, and blue – as seen on Apple's invite graphic.

In a post on Weibo, the account known as "Instant Digital" says Apple originally planned to offer the same kind of light, playful color scheme for the MacBook Air with M2 chip.

Indeed, back in October 2021, a proven leaker claimed the redesigned MacBook Air would come in color options that are similar to the 24-inch iMac, but it didn't happen. The model eventually dropped in July 2022 in silver, starlight, space gray, and midnight colors.

Writing in his Power On newsletter over the weekend, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the colors Apple has tested for its budget MacBook so far include light yellow, light green, blue, pink, classic silver, and dark gray, although he says it's unlikely all of them will ship.

If the colorful palette is unveiled, it would make the budget MacBook the most colorful laptop Apple has offered since the iBook G3 era in the late 90s. Apple offered the machines in Tangerine, Blueberry, Indigo, Graphite, and Key Lime.

As previously reported by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the low-cost machine will retail for well under $1,000 and run an iPhone chip – potentially the A18 Pro – rather than an M-series processor. It will feature a slightly-under-13-inch display and an aluminum chassis, which is being built using a new, faster manufacturing process that Apple developed to keep costs down, according to Gurman.

Apple is believed to be trying to compete with Chromebooks, targeting the budget MacBook at students and enterprise users. 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, when we're hoping to get a glimpse of the new machine.

Article Link: Rumored Colors for Low-Cost MacBook Were Originally Tested for 2022 MacBook Air Redesign

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I think they look nice.

 

[m1mini]

I wish they made this low cost macbook and macbook air in sage green (iPhone 17) and made macbook pro's in alpine green (iPhone 13 Pro)

 

[rizzo41999]

Sorry to be salty, but they look like Laffy Taffies.

 

[profets]

I remember at the time thinking the MacBook Air redesign was going to be colourful, similar to how the iMac redesign was. Hopefully we see some fun colours with this new MacBook.

 

[Astuces iOS]

Imagine buying this new low cost MacBook, it's going to be pretty similar to the m1 but more expensive ! That's crazy **** !

 

[iamgalt]

I'm sure a lot of people will disagree with me on this, but I think the pink and the yellow look horrible. The blue is a little better. Maybe when I see them in person they'll look better, but in that photo/rendering, no.

 

[profets]

I'm sure a lot of people will disagree with me on this, but I think the pink and the yellow look horrible. The blue is a little better. Maybe when I see them in person they'll look better, but in that photo/rendering, no.

I'm really assuming (hoping) that this is just a render, and that colours will be more similar to the apple logo from the mar 4 experience invite.

 

[digimc]

I think they look nice.

Yes I like the pink and blue. I wish I could actually get those colors in a MBP. But I know that I am in the minority in that regard

 

[contacos]

Esim support would be neat but I don't think it's gonna happen on their low cost MacBook unfortunately, even if it's the most portable one

 

[chars1ub0w]

Who cares about the colors? Make it small, light (won’t be as light as the lightest PC laptops) and inexpensive. To save money, make it in one color only.

 

[Digital Dude]

I started with Apple in the early 80s when everything was beige and proudly industrial, almost austere. Then came the white era with occasional hints of black, followed by aluminum that felt more serious and businesslike, as if the machines had matured. Now the aesthetic drifts into something softer, almost nursery-like, which leaves me a bit underwhelmed. Perhaps the design simply mirrors a changing audience, as if the brand has followed a different tide. 🍭

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Yes I like the pink and blue. I wish I could actually get those colors in a MBP. But I know that I am in the minority in that regard

I also like the pink.

I'm definitely in touch with my feminine side 😉.

 

[Bobajobbob]

Surely they will be Liquid Glass not aluminium?

 

[TMRJIJ]

Sorry to be salty, but they look like Laffy Taffies.

Sweet, not salty

 

[crsh1976]

Sorry to be salty, but they look like Laffy Taffies.

Those are the colours used for the 10th gen iPad that came out in 2022, regardless of the colourful MBA rumour - I think we're only missing an example in a shade of green.

 

[carswell]

I started with Apple in the early 80s when everything was beige and proudly industrial, almost austere. Then came the white era with occasional hints of black, followed by aluminum that felt more serious and businesslike, as if the machines had matured. Now the aesthetic drifts into something softer, almost nursery-like, which leaves me a bit underwhelmed. Perhaps the design simply mirrors a changing audience, as if the brand has followed a different tide. 🍭

If, as rumoured, these are primarily aimed at the education and entry-level consumer markets, the colours make sense. Kids and a lot of casual users will love them. And there appears to be a good chance the release will include at least one staid (i.e. grey) hue for those looking for something less Pee-Wee Hermany.

Personally, I'd hate working on a pastel-coloured laptop, so colour me staid.

 

[Macalway]

I think the color options are a very good idea. They will sell these things.

If this is true, we may see a shift away from black and silver with all the manufacturers.

 

[rizzo41999]

Those are the colours used for the 10th gen iPad that came out in 2022, regardless of the colourful MBA rumour - I think we're only missing an example in a shade of green.

an iPad is different from a full-on laptop.

 

[macfacts]

still no concrete word on the OS.

 

[rizzo41999]

Sweet, not salty

Nice, that was a good one haha.

 

[lazyrighteye]

I'm really assuming (hoping) that this is just a render, and that colours will be more similar to the apple logo from the mar 4 experience invite.

They're definitely a render.

 

[AppleWes]

Maybe Apple will surprise us with orange 😉

 

[crsh1976]

an iPad is different from a full-on laptop.

I'm merely talking about the colours in the picture (it's still just dyed anodized aluminum at the end of the day)

 

[Apple_Robert]

still no concrete word on the OS.

It will be MacOS. Not sure why you would think otherwise for a Mac.