Cupertino, CA : Apple is preparing to disrupt the affordable laptop segment with a new, budget-friendly MacBook expected to launch in late 2025 or early 2026. According to industry sources and supply chain analysts, this new MacBook will be powered by the same A18 Pro chip featured in the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro.
ЁЯФН A New Strategy: Bringing iPhone Chips to MacBooks
In a surprising shift, Apple is reportedly using its iPhone-grade A18 Pro chip instead of its traditional M-series Mac chips. The A18 Pro, built on a 3nm process, is optimized for power efficiency and AI processing, offering robust performance while keeping costs low.
This strategy could help Apple lower production expenses and pass those savings on to customers тАФ with early predictions placing the laptopтАЩs price between $700 and $800.
ЁЯТ╗ Design and Features
- 13-inch Retina-style display
- Color variants similar to iMac and iPhone series тАФ including Silver, Blue, Pink, and Yellow
- Slim, fanless design optimized for everyday use
- Likely minimal ports to maintain low cost and sleek design
тЪЩя╕П Performance: What Can Users Expect?
Benchmarks show the A18 Pro offers single-core performance similar to AppleтАЩs M4 chip and multi-core performance comparable to the original M1 chip. This makes the upcoming MacBook ideal for:
- Web browsing and media consumption
- Document editing and basic productivity
- Light AI tasks and educational applications
ЁЯУж Production Timeline
According to analyst reports, mass production is expected to begin by the end of 2025. Apple has plans to manufacture 5тАУ7 million units in 2026 alone, aiming to regain strong MacBook sales figures seen during the COVID-19 work-from-home boom.
ЁЯОп Target Audience
This budget MacBook will directly appeal to students, educators, and budget-conscious consumers. It may also compete with Chromebooks and entry-level Windows laptops in the education market, especially in price-sensitive regions like India and Southeast Asia.
ЁЯУИ Apple’s Market Rebound Strategy
MacBook shipments have dipped in recent years, but Apple hopes this affordable device will help push total MacBook shipments to 25 million units in 2026, compared to approximately 20 million in 2025.
ЁЯУв Final Thoughts
AppleтАЩs move to introduce an iPhone-chip-powered MacBook marks a bold shift in its hardware strategy. If successful, it could redefine the entry-level laptop market and significantly expand AppleтАЩs customer base тАФ especially among first-time Mac users and students.
Stay tuned to NewsViewer.in for further updates as Apple officially unveils more about this upcoming MacBook in the coming months.