Apple Reportedly Prepping MacBook That's 'Well Under $1,000'

Apple Reportedly Prepping MacBook That’s ‘Well Under $1,000’

Last updated: 2025/11/05 at 1:16 PM

News Room Published 5 November 2025

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Apple may be working on a relatively low-cost MacBook to help it compete more directly with sub-$1,000 Windows laptops and Chromebooks.

Bloomberg reports that the device is being tested at Apple and has entered early production with overseas suppliers. It could launch in the first half of 2026 for around $600.

It achieves this by using a smaller screen and potentially a cheaper A-Series iPhone processor, as opposed to the M-Series models seen in current MacBooks.

Recent MacBooks have offered stellar, class-leading performance and battery life thanks to Apple Silicon, as well as fantastic Retina displays with high brightness and responsiveness. However, in typical Apple fashion, they are far from the most affordable laptops available. The cheapest MacBook is currently the M4 13-inch MacBook Air, which starts at $999, but that only comes with 256GB of storage. Comparatively priced laptops and Chromebooks can offer much more in some key areas, so Apple may be looking to address that.

According to rumors, Apple plans to curb the cost of producing its cheaper MacBook by using a lower-end LCD and possibly trimming its size, possibly down to 12 inches. It would likely turn out to be lighter than other options, too, which could make it a useful alternative for Apple fans who want a super-portable laptop.

The low-cost MacBook may miss out on high-speed connectivity, too. (Credit: PCMag)

The more impactful change, though, could be in the use of an A-Series processor. It’s found in lower-power devices like iPhones and iPads, rather than laptops, although Apple did describe the recent A19 Pro used in the iPhone 17 Pro as having MacBook-like performance.

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Bloomberg suggests Apple might switch up its marketing for the lower-cost MacBook. Whereas the MacBook Pro is often targeted at power users and creatives who need video- and image-editing capabilities, the budget MacBook would be for students and casual users who don’t need much beyond web browsing, as well as those who aren’t ready to swap their laptop for an iPad.

Even at $599, though, this future MacBook may struggle to make inroads against Chromebooks, which can cost as little as $200, especially when purchased at scale by educational institutions. Apple is unlikely to offer cost parity with those kinds of devices while maintaining its usual quality, so it may have greater success going after the $500-$1,000 laptop market, where Windows devices are more prevalent.