- Apple is preparing an affordable laptop, new report says
- The device would be powered by an iPhone chip and a smaller screen.
- The price could be around 600 euros, which would make it the cheapest Mac of the brand
The best Apple MacBooks are characterized by their high prices: it is difficult to find one for less than 1,000 euros, which can be explained by the general quality of these devices. This strategy has long been a constant at Apple, but a new report suggests a shift is underway, with a future low-cost model designed to compete with the best entry-level laptops.
in one recently published articleBloomberg journalist Mark Gurman notes that this low-cost MacBook could hit the market as early as “the first half of next year.” A launch that coincides with the new range of Apple computers equipped with the M5 chip.
However, don’t expect to see this M5 chip in the future affordable model. But according to Gurman, the computer would be “based on an iPhone processor”.
The exact model is not yet known, but Apple’s internal tests show that this smartphone chip already outperforms the M1 chip that was installed in some Macs a few years ago.
A strong argument to assure users that the integration of an iPhone chip will not affect the experience.
Measures to reduce costs.
Another saving element mentioned is the screen. Gurman says Apple would opt for a “basic” LCD panel.
This would be the smallest screen currently offered on a Mac, slightly smaller than the MacBook Air’s 13.6 inches. Gurman also talks about a “completely new design” for this device, without giving further details about its appearance.
Apple’s mobile chips show impressive performance every year, often much better than Android chips, but they still can’t compete with processors designed for Macs. So you shouldn’t expect this budget MacBook to run complex tasks or the best Mac games at full speed. But that’s not the point. According to Gurman, this computer will primarily appeal to users of Chromebooks and standard Windows computers.
According to the latest rumors, this computer could cost around 600 euros, a price already mentioned above. Gurman gives the example of an iPad equipped with the Magic Keyboard Folio, which sells for about $600. He adds that “this new Mac would fit in a similar space and offer better battery life, the flexibility of macOS, and an integrated keyboard.”
Despite these tweaks, we shouldn’t expect Apple to abandon the quality standards that have made their MacBook line a household name. Using a smaller screen and a mobile chip allows the brand to retain a metal chassis, ensuring the premium feel of Macs. If Apple can offer this quality at a reduced price, this new device could become the flagship model in 2026.