Apple is reportedly preparing to enter the budget laptop market with a new MacBook priced well under $1,000. The device, expected to debut in the first half of 2026, marks the company’s most aggressive push yet to attract students, casual users, and small businesses that have long opted for cheaper Windows and Chromebook devices.
According to Bloomberg, Apple’s new “budget MacBook” is already in early production with overseas suppliers and testing underway inside Cupertino. The project, internally known as J700, aims to bring a familiar macOS experience to users who want an affordable, lightweight laptop for browsing, document editing, and streaming.
While Apple has previously released lower-cost models in other product categories like the iPhone SE, its Mac lineup has always remained firmly premium. The cheapest MacBook currently available is the MacBook Air at $999, while even the compact Mac mini starts at $599 but lacks portability. The upcoming budget MacBook would fill that long-empty space in Apple’s ecosystem, offering a true entry-level laptop for those who want a Mac without the premium price tag.
Reports suggest that the 2026 MacBook will feature a 13-inch LCD display, likely smaller and less advanced than the MacBook Air’s Liquid Retina panel. The biggest shift, however, is expected under the hood. Instead of Apple’s Mac-oriented M-series chips, this model is rumored to run on an A18 Pro processor, the same chip used in the iPhone 16 Pro, making it the first Mac to use iPhone silicon. Analysts expect it to deliver performance comparable to or slightly below the M1 chip, which would still be more than capable for daily tasks.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts the budget MacBook will come in a range of bright colors similar to the iMac lineup, including Silver, Blue, Pink, and Yellow. The company reportedly wants the device to appeal visually to younger audiences and students while staying lightweight and energy-efficient.
For Apple, the timing could not be more strategic. With Microsoft’s support for Windows 10 already ended in October 2025, millions of users and businesses are now searching for replacements. The upcoming MacBook could capture this upgrade demand, especially if Apple keeps the price between $599 and $699, a range that directly challenges Chromebooks and entry-level Windows laptops.
The low-cost MacBook will not replace any current model but will instead sit below the MacBook Air as an all-new tier in the lineup. It is expected to ship alongside the next-generation M5 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, providing customers more options across different budgets and use cases.
(via Bloomberg)
