While the MacBook Air is Apple’s cheapest and quite capable Mac at this stage, it is now being reported that the company could be ready to bring back the idea of a truly entry-level MacBook. However, this time around, the machine will be powered and built around iPhone-class silicon. TrendForce claims in its press release this week that Apple is targeting spring 2026 for a 12.9-inch MacBook, aiming it directly at the entry-to-mid-range segment with “competitive pricing.”
Apple’s A18 Pro MacBook Aims To Balance Performance And Design For Everyday Users
We have previously heard details on the iPhone maker’s plans to introduce a budget MacBook with an iPhone processor, but details regarding its launch date were scarce. The company was rumored to release the device sometime this year, but based on information obtained from TrendForce, Apple “aims to introduce a 12.9-inch model in spring 2026.”
The 12.9-inch A18 Pro-powered MacBook will be positioned to attract buyers through scale and pricing advantages even in a cost-pressured PC market. If the news has any heft to it, we believe that the machine will see daylight between March and April of this year.
For obvious reasons, the device will feature a price tag below the $999 mark, as the company appears to trade peak sustained performance for a much lower entry price. We suspect that the machine will take a lot of design cues from the MacBook Air, but the final details have not been shared at this point.
What Users Should Expect From An A18 Pro MacBook And Its Launch
The core expectation for the A18 Pro MacBook is quite simple, since it will not be a laptop for creators but for casual usage. Rumors suggest that the machine will feature a 12.9-inch display and a version of the A18 Pro chip. We suspect that it will be the highest-specced version of the chip, possibly the same one used in the iPhone 16 Pro models.
In terms of performance, the A18 Pro chip will be on par with Apple’s M1 chip, which is still quite capable when it comes to handling day-to-day tasks. Coupled with 8GB of RAM, the budget MacBook will be able to handle Apple Intelligence, but it remains to be seen how many features it will be able to support in the future.
The RAM is a noticeable trade-off the company had to make, as all newer models are equipped with at least 16GB of memory. However, it could pose to be quite beneficial as the company is reshiftig its approach toward memory than just processors. Moreover, users should also expect standard USB-C ports rather than Thunderbolt, along with tighter external display support than higher-tier Macs.
From a practical standpoint, the A18 Pro MacBook’s March or April 2026 launch will make it an attractive option for students and iPad buyers who want a macOS experience without paying a premium price. Apple could push deeper into the education sector with this budget MacBook, a space where Chromebooks still dominate the market.
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