Apple Has a Smaller, Cheaper MacBook in the Works

Apple is developing a budget-friendly MacBook that could shake up the low-end laptop market with a starting price as low as $599, according to a new report from Asia.

The rumored 12.9-inch laptop would be Apple's first Mac powered by an iPhone chip – specifically the A18 Pro from the iPhone 16 Pro. Up until now, Apple silicon Macs have been powered exclusively by Apple's M-series processors, but it sounds like that could be set to change fairly soon.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo initially broke news of the project in June, suggesting the machine would compete directly with Chromebooks while driving broader MacBook adoption. DigiTimes has now corroborated the report, adding price details and display size specifics.

The laptop is expected to feature an ultra-thin design and could arrive in Silver, Blue, Pink, and Yellow finishes, reckons Kuo. Component production may begin by late Q3 2025, with full assembly starting in Q4 at Apple supplier Quanta's facilities. That could potentially see the laptop launch as early as this year.

One trade-off is that the A18 Pro chip lacks Thunderbolt support, so the rumored MacBook would be limited to regular USB-C connectivity. But for customers seeking the most affordable Mac entry point, it's the kind of detail that's unlikely to dampen enthusiasm for a sub-$600 Apple laptop. Currently, the company's 13-inch MacBook Air is the cheapest laptop in its lineup, starting at $999 in the United States.