Apple’s upcoming affordable MacBook could launch as early as later this year. And it may only cost $599.
The new entrant to the MacBook lineup will supposedly use an A18 Pro chip, the same one that will power the upcoming iPhone 17.
Affordable new MacBook may launch before the end of the year
TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was the first to report on the affordable new MacBook. However, he said the machine would only launch next year, by Q1 2026.
Now, a DigiTimes report suggests an earlier release timeline. It notes that some components will enter mass production by the end of Q3 2025, with the rest following in the weeks after. Apple will then supposedly launch the affordable MacBook by the end of 2025 or in early 2026. More importantly, it may only cost $599.
The machine will seemingly feature a 12.9-inch display, making it slightly smaller than the 13.6-inch MacBook Air.
Given DigiTimes’ track record with supply-chain leaks, I’d suggest taking this report with a pinch of salt. Apple will likely want to keep the focus on its new iPhones and other devices this year.
A $599 price tag would make the new MacBook considerably cheaper than the $999 M4 MacBook Air. You can also get the M2 or M3 MacBook Air for around $799 from select retailers. But the A18 Pro-MacBook would be even more affordable.
A-series chipset could come with its own limitations
Given the choice of the chipset, the new MacBook will likely feature a sleek, fanless design. It will most likely also only be sufficient for basic use and have several limitations. This could mean fewer USB-C ports, no external monitor support and other restrictions.
Whatever the case, a cheaper new MacBook could further boost Mac shipments for Apple. They are already on the rise following the launch of the M4 Mac mini and other Mac models. The company seemingly expects to ship 5-7 million units of the budget MacBook.
Rajesh has been closely following and writing about the latest happenings in the world of mobile for nearly a decade now. While he prefers Android, he does not deny the superiority of Apple’s products and ecosystem.
