Apple’s long-rumoured budget MacBook isn’t going away – and the latest reports suggest it’s still on track to land in the first half of 2026. It could potentially become Apple’s most affordable laptop in years.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the device is expected to be a headline Mac launch for early 2026, even if Apple hasn’t locked in a precise date yet.
What makes this MacBook different is what’s inside. Instead of an M-series processor, it’s widely tipped to run on an iPhone-class chip. Likely, this will be something along the lines of the A18 Pro.
That move would mark a notable shift for Apple’s laptop strategy. The idea is simple — use a cheaper, highly efficient mobile chip to bring the cost down. This would allow Apple to compete more directly with Chromebooks and entry-level Windows laptops. In addition, it would offer a more accessible way into the Mac ecosystem.
Previous reports suggest the device could feature a 13-inch display and land in the $699–$750 price range. This would put it well below today’s MacBook Air. If the A18 Pro rumour holds up, performance could still be surprisingly strong — potentially rivaling or even beating Apple’s older M1 chip in certain tasks. At least on paper, the device could be impressive.
That said, the budget angle likely comes with compromises. To hit that lower price point, Apple may need to trim elsewhere. Rumours point to fewer USB-C ports, 8GB of memory as standard, and possibly a lower-spec display. None of that would be shocking for a device designed to prioritise affordability over polish.
There’s also some healthy scepticism around how Chromebook-competitive this MacBook will actually be. Even at $699, it would still cost significantly more than many education-focused laptops. Especially because Apple’s own entry-level iPad can dip far lower in bulk pricing, this might be a concern.
Still, shipment forecasts reportedly put Apple’s initial orders at five to eight million units for 2026. This suggests the company is expecting serious demand. Gurman also notes that Mac launches often align with macOS update cycles — and with macOS 26.3 expected to run through March, the timing lines up neatly.
If it does arrive as expected, this MacBook could be one of Apple’s most interesting releases in years. This is not because it’s flashy, but because it lowers the barrier to owning a Mac at all. Whether it truly delivers “cheap MacBook” appeal — or just a slightly more affordable one — is the real question.
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