Apple is reportedly preparing to enter the affordable laptop segment with a brand-new MacBook that could launch in 2026, according to fresh industry insights. The upcoming device is expected to sit below the MacBook Air in Apple’s product range and may become the most compact MacBook ever released by the company. Designed to attract students first-time buyers and budget-conscious users, the laptop is said to balance lower pricing with Apple’s in-house silicon performance.
Industry research indicates that Apple may introduce this new MacBook during spring 2026, most likely between March and May. The device is expected to feature a 12.9-inch display, making it smaller than the current 13-inch MacBook Air and closer in size to the iPad Air and iPad Pro. This compact form factor could appeal to users looking for maximum portability without stepping into tablet territory.
One of the most notable aspects of this rumoured MacBook is its processor. Instead of using the traditional M-series chips, Apple may power the device with the A18 Pro chipset, the same processor expected to run inside the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The A18 Pro is believed to include a six-core CPU, six-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine, offering strong performance for everyday tasks such as browsing productivity work content consumption and light creative workloads.
To keep costs down, the low-cost MacBook may ship with 8GB of RAM and could make a few compromises on connectivity. Reports suggest the laptop might exclude Thunderbolt support and instead rely on standard USB Type-C ports with limited external display and data transfer capabilities. These changes would help Apple reduce production costs while still delivering a macOS experience.
The device is also expected to embrace a more playful design approach, with multiple colour options such as silver blue pink and yellow. This strategy mirrors Apple’s recent focus on vibrant finishes across its consumer devices. From a pricing perspective, the entry-level MacBook could start between 699 dollars and 799 dollars in the United States, potentially undercutting the MacBook Air by a significant margin and making it one of the most affordable Apple laptops ever.
If launched as expected, this new MacBook could help Apple compete more aggressively in the entry-to-mid-range laptop market while expanding its reach to a wider audience.