Apple is reportedly gearing up to launch a budget-friendly MacBook, with manufacturing expected to commence later this year. Industry insiders (via DigiTimes) indicate that the new laptop could carry a starting price of $699 for regular buyers and $599 for those purchasing through Apple’s education program. This pricing would make it significantly cheaper than the existing entry-level MacBook Air, which currently begins at $999, or $899 with the education discount.
Affordable MacBook specifications:
Apple’s upcoming low-cost MacBook is expected to run on the Apple A18 Pro chipset—the same processor found in the iPhone 16 Pro. The chip delivers performance on par with Apple’s M1, ensuring solid power for everyday tasks. The notebook is rumored to sport a 12.9-inch screen, pack an ultra-slim and lightweight build, and be offered in a range of vibrant colour options.
Reports indicate that the starting version of the device could ship with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, though many are hopeful Apple might bump the base storage up to 256GB.
If true, this would mark the first Mac to run on an iPhone-class processor. Until now, every Apple silicon Mac has relied on the M-series line, known for offering higher core counts, expanded memory options, and better external display capabilities.
Market forecasts suggest that yearly sales of Apple’s budget MacBook could range from 5 million to 7 million units, which may increase the company’s overall MacBook shipments by 30% to 40%, raising the total from around 17 million to nearly 18 million units.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts the affordable model will sport a slim, lightweight form factor and may be offered in eye-catching colors such as Silver, Blue, Pink, and Yellow.
Apple 12-inch MacBook:
Apple’s upcoming budget-friendly MacBook is expected to share several traits with the discontinued 12-inch MacBook, particularly its slim and featherlight design. Positioned below the MacBook Air, it will likely serve as the new entry point in Apple’s laptop lineup. By comparison, the MacBook Air features a 13.6-inch display, runs on the M4 chip, and starts at $999.
Apple iPhone 17 series launch:
While the iPhone 17 series is still months away from its official launch, rumors and leaks about the devices have been circulating long before the iPhone 16 lineup was even introduced. For 2025, Apple is expected to roll out four versions of the iPhone 17: the regular iPhone 17, the iPhone 17 Pro, the flagship iPhone 17 Pro Max, and a brand-new model debuting as the iPhone 17 “Air.”
