Why the Next MacBook Must Be Affordable: Essential Insights for Savvy Shoppers

There’s a growing need for an affordable MacBook. Many folks today don’t require high-end chips for basic tasks. With most internet users browsing on $200 to $400 smartphones, why not put a mobile chip in a laptop? Recent rumors suggest Apple might be heading in that direction and could unveil a budget MacBook by year’s end.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo hinted at this possibility. A report from DigiTimes Asia, highlighted by MacRumors, claims a 12.9-inch MacBook could launch soon, priced between $600 and $700. The more affordable price comes from using Apple’s A-series mobile chips, likely the A18 Pro from the iPhone 16 Pro, instead of the pricier M-series chips.

This new MacBook will be slightly smaller than the current MacBook Air with its 13.6-inch screen. If Apple sticks to the timeline, we might see this budget option late this year. Meanwhile, Apple’s other products—like iPads—are already blending high and low-end chips. The iPad mini uses the A17 Pro, while the Air and Pro models have M-series chips. Offering a cheaper MacBook would help Apple balance its product lineup.

The upcoming budget MacBook might not come with all the fancy features. Just like the budget iPhone 16e lacks some modern perks, expect this MacBook to have basic specs: an IPS LCD panel, fewer ports, and possibly a lower resolution akin to older Intel MacBooks. Its main attraction? Accessibility at a lower price. Users would still enjoy new macOS 26 features, alongside handy tools like AirDrop and iMessage.

The current A18 chips are efficient and fast, making them suitable for everyday tasks like browsing or emailing. Most people don’t care about the nitty-gritty of CPU performance; they just need a device that works well for them. According to U.S. census data, many households rely on smartphones as their main device. Families that only use phones often face economic challenges, making affordability critical.

Today, low-cost laptops can still perform decently. Many sub-$500 PCs with lower-end Intel and AMD chips meet basic needs. Yet, there’s a limit to what makes a laptop worth buying. The Chromebook Plus series, for example, has raised the standard with a minimum of 8GB of RAM, but it’s still limited by the cloud-based apps on ChromeOS. If Apple includes macOS 26 on its budget MacBook, users would gain access to a wider range of Mac features.

In the end, the world needs a laptop that balances price and performance. An affordable MacBook could do just that, opening doors for many who currently struggle to get their hands on quality devices.

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