Apple is preparing to launch its most affordable MacBook yet. Rumors, supported by prominent analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and various tech publications, indicate a new laptop is on the way with a starting price of around $599 (approximately ₱34,193*). This move is seen as a way for Apple to capture a larger share of the entry-level laptop market, competing directly with Chromebooks and budget-friendly Windows machines.
MacBook models will feature a touch panel for the first time, further blurring the line with the iPad. This shift appears to reflect Apple’s long-term observation of iPad user behavior, indicating that in certain scenarios, touch controls can enhance both productivity and the…
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) September 17, 2025
The iPhone Chip Inside a Mac
This isn’t your typical MacBook. To achieve the low price, Apple is expected to use the A18 Pro chip, the same processor found in the iPhone 16 Pro. While less powerful than the M-series chips in current MacBooks, the A18 Pro is said to perform on par with the original M1 chip, which is more than sufficient for everyday tasks like web browsing, streaming, and productivity work.
Key Features and Trade-offs
The new MacBook is rumored to feature a 12.9-inch or 13-inch display and come in a variety of bright colors, including pink, blue, and yellow. To keep costs down, some features may be sacrificed. It will likely have standard USB-C ports instead of Thunderbolt, and the base model will probably come with 8GB of RAM, diverging from Apple’s recent 16GB standard.
Release Date
Mass production is rumored to begin in late 2025, with a public launch anticipated for late 2025 or early 2026. This new product could be a significant step for Apple, expanding its ecosystem to a new audience of students and budget-conscious consumers.
Apple is targeting students and budget-conscious users with this new laptop. Do you think it’s the right move to compete with Chromebooks?
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