Apple may finally be preparing a lower-cost MacBook, and new details suggest it won’t just be a stripped-down MacBook Air. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company is working on a more affordable model expected to debut around March 2026. The goal appears straightforward: bring the Mac experience to a lower price point without abandoning Apple’s typical build quality.
Pricing is rumored to land somewhere between $599 and $799, which would place it below the current MacBook Air lineup and closer to Chromebook territory.
An iPhone chip inside?
One of the more surprising details involves the processor. Instead of using an M-series chip, the new MacBook is expected to run on an A-series chip, reportedly the same Apple A18 Pro used in the iPhone 16 Pro. That would mark a major shift in Apple’s laptop strategy.
In theory, the A18 Pro should handle everyday tasks like web browsing, streaming, writing, and light productivity without issue. Rumors point to a roughly 12.9-inch IPS display, with brightness levels suitable for indoor use but probably not pushing flagship territory.
Importantly, the chassis is still expected to be aluminum. Gurman notes that Apple is reportedly using a revised manufacturing process to lower production costs while maintaining the company’s typical unibody design. That suggests Apple doesn’t want this to feel like a budget compromise in hand.
Perhaps the most interesting rumor involves color. Apple is said to be testing lighter, more playful finishes, including yellow, green, blue, and pink, alongside silver and darker gray. If that holds true, it would be the most colorful MacBook lineup in years. That positioning makes sense if students are the primary audience.
If the leaks are accurate, this model seems aimed at students, first-time Mac buyers, and users who mainly need a reliable machine for everyday computing. It would also help Apple compete more directly with entry-level Windows laptops in education and emerging markets.
There are still plenty of unknowns: battery life, port selection, storage tiers, and how macOS will be tuned for an A-series chip in a laptop form factor.
But if Apple manages to deliver solid performance, a familiar design, and a lower entry price, this could become the company’s most accessible Mac in years.
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