The MacBook Air is an excellent machine, so much so that I found myself reaching for it more than my Windows laptop, or even the MacBook Pro. However, it is still priced well above what students and first-time buyers are willing to pay. With that said, we have been hearing news related to Apple’s budget plans for a smaller MacBook with an A18 Pro chip, and it could change how users choose their first laptop.
According to a new report from Mark Gurman, Apple is working on a lower-cost MacBook that could launch as early as next month. This will be Apple’s brand-new entry into the budget Mac segment, and the decision signals a shift in its long-standing strategy. Instead of forcing every Mac to rely on M-series silicon, Apple may be comfortable using high-end iPhone chips where they make sense.
The device is expected to sit below the MacBook Air in terms of price, with estimates hovering around the $699 range. If the rumors have any weight to them, this would mark Apple’s most aggressive laptop pricing in years, which would obviously benefit consumers and first-time buyers. It also suggests that Apple sees real opportunity in competing with Chromebooks and budget Windows laptops rather than ceding that market entirely.
Why Apple May Be Using an A18 Pro Chip and Brighter Colors to Broaden Appeal
The A18 Pro chip is a great option for a budget MacBook, as it is already faster than the initial few generations of the M-series chips in many respects. However, the use of the iPhone 16 Pro’s chip is not about chasing benchmark numbers; it is about efficiency, battery life, and everyday responsiveness. For web browsing, writing, video playback, and light creative workflows, the A-series SoC is more than capable. Do not take us wrong, macOS would require optimizations and certain caps for the A18 Pro chip to perform at its best, and Apple will control each aspect of it.
Apart from what will power the device and how it will handle day-to-day tasks, Apple is also repositioning how this MacBook feels emotionally. The recent report coming straight from Gurman claims that the device could ship in lighter, more playful colors, including pastels and softer finishes. You may have already seen a similar approach with Apple’s iPad and iPhone lineup, where color has become a key part of the product identity rather than just an afterthought.
Despite the lower price tag, Apple is not expected to abandon premium materials. A redesigned aluminum chassis, possibly using more efficient manufacturing methods, would allow Apple to maintain build quality while keeping costs down. A slightly smaller display, around 12.9 inches, could further separate this model from the likes of the MacBook Air.
What This New Budget MacBook Could Mean for Apple’s Laptop Strategy Going Forward
If Apple follows through, this MacBook could easily become the default choice for students, families, and those using a Mac for the first time. Instead of stretching to afford a MacBook Air, users would get a genuine Mac experience at a far more approachable and, frankly, compelling price point.
More importantly, this move could quietly expand Apple’s macOS user base at scale. Once users are inside the ecosystem, they tend to stay and may eventually move to something more powerful. This MacBook may not chase professionals, but it does not need to. Its job is to invite people in, and it may do that better than any Mac before it.
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