Apple plans new low cost MacBook with A18 Pro chip launch

Apple is set to disrupt the laptop industry with a new low cost MacBook, looking to entice price-sensitive consumers who have long been out of reach for its high-end family. In a report by DigiTimes, the product is said to be based on the A18 Pro chip, the same processor that powers the iPhone 16 Pro. If true, this represents a dramatic change in Apple's strategy, abandoning the M-series processors in a bid to make a budget-friendly entry point into the Mac ecosystem.

What to Expect from the New Low Cost MacBook

The new affordable MacBook needs to strike a balance between affordability and excellent performance. Apple's A18 Pro chip has already shown excellent benchmark performance. The A18 Pro on Geekbench scores a single-core score of 3,409, about 43% higher than the M1 chip at 2,368. In multi-core testing, the score is virtually identical, with the A18 Pro at 8,482 compared to the M1 at 8,576.

Though the sheer quantity places it on par with the M1, Apple can then tune the A18 Pro for MacBook usage, possibly unleashing even more efficiency and everyday performance. This would enable Apple to provide a speedy, capable notebook while saving on production costs.

Vivid Colors to Entice Younger Shoppers

The most exciting design shift is that the new low cost MacBook can be launched in various colors. Rumors leaked suggest options like blue, pink, silver, and yellow. By offering a playful color scheme, Apple is likely targeting young customers and students who want style with functionality.

The firm employed the same tactic with a few of its lower-end iPhones in the past, like the iPhone 5C and iPhone XR, both of which came out in a variety of colors to engage a wide range of buyers. If history is any guide, that might make the MacBook more competitive in the over-saturated mid-range notebook market.

Expected Launch Timeline

Industry sources have reported that A-series MacBook production would begin in September this year and mass production shortly after. That would mean the release would be by the end of 2025 or early 2026. Apple has not verified these facts, but analysts believe that this timeline will be in accordance with the company's plans to expand its product range in emerging economies.

Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has apparently stated earlier that Apple was developing an affordable laptop to be sold in countries like India, Southeast Asia, and Latin America—countries where MacBook penetration has been sluggish due to prices. The new low cost MacBook would turn that around by introducing a budget but high-end version of Windows laptops.

Price: The cheapest MacBook ever

The biggest highlight is undoubtedly the speculated price. The speculations are that the new budget MacBook would cost between $599 (around ₹52,370) and $699 (around ₹61,113). If that is true, then it would be Apple's cheapest MacBook ever.

To put things into perspective, the new MacBook Air with the M4 chip starts at ₹99,990 in India, roughly twice the price of the new budget model reportedly rumored about. The new MacBook is rumored to come with a 12.9-inch display, a reduction from the 13.6-inch MacBook Air, which would enable Apple to make things affordable without sacrificing thinness and lightness.

Why This Move Matters

Apple's entry into the budget laptop space can be a game-changer. With the A18 Pro chip and a cheaper product, Apple is bringing its MacBook brand to a new audience of millions of people around the globe.

Apple has succeeded with lower-end models such as the iPhone SE, and the same strategy can transfer that success into the laptop space. For young professionals, students, and those who are budget-conscious, the new low-cost MacBook could be the perfect mix of performance, value, and style.