There have been reports that Apple plans to launch another affordable MacBook, which is rumored to be built with the A18 Pro processor.Citing sourcesThe relevant components of this MacBook will enter mass production at the end of the third quarter of this year, and will have a chance to enter the market as early as the end of this year, thereby challenging the affordable Windows laptops and the Chromebooks that have long dominated the education market.
The supply chain revealed that this MacBook will be priced around $599, which will be in stark contrast to the current mainstream MacBook Air, which starts at $999. It will also become Apple's entry-level MacBook model, finding a balance between price and performance that is more suitable for students and users with limited budgets.
Using an iPhone processor? Unveiled by spring 2026 at the latest
Market analyst Ming-Chi KuoPreviously pointed outApple plans to use the A16 Pro processor used in the iPhone 18 Pro to create a new Mac laptop model. This product may be delayed until the fourth quarter of 2025 or even early 2026 before it is officially put into mass production and launched, and may then be called a new spring product.
Such a combination may become the first Mac laptop model to use a mobile phone chip but be fully equipped with the macOS operating system, by introducing low-cost hardware solutions through the "iPhone software and hardware integration ecosystem."
Good market positioning and price sensitivity
Reddit discussion forumMany people are also enthusiastic about the release of this MacBook, which may be priced in the $599 or $699 range. Some believe that this product will be able to "replace the existence of Chromebooks", but it is not a direct competitor to the iPad Air. It is mainly designed for people who need a complete laptop experience, unlike the iPad, which is more lightweight and portable.
At the same time, as Mac models equipped with Apple Silicon processors continue to be updated, the price of the 2020 MacBook Air equipped with an M1 processor has dropped to US$599, making it the most competitively priced Mac model in the market. At the same time, its performance still surpasses many laptops of the same price.
The M4 processor MacBook Air's pricing and performance configuration are a test
However, based on Apple's current product refresh strategy, the 2025 MacBook Air with an M4 processor will have an educational price starting at $899, and its 16GB base memory option will be more in line with mainstream hardware specifications. If the new MacBook's price is too low, it could squeeze the market share of the M4 processor MacBook Air, requiring Apple to clearly differentiate the two products. For example, the MacBook Air will still focus on full functionality, performance, and suitability for extended use, while the MacBook will focus on budget-friendly, basic laptops.
Supply chain trends and launch schedule estimates
DigiTimes reports that mass production of components for the new MacBook will begin at the end of the third quarter of this year. If all goes well, the complete machine could be assembled and shipped by the end of the year. However, based on Ming-Chi Kuo's prediction of a market release date of Q2025 2026 or spring XNUMX, the official release date for the new MacBook could be in QXNUMX XNUMX, perhaps even before the education season.
This period is also the peak time for Apple's education discounts and back-to-school promotions. If combined with a lower pricing strategy, it may bring greater appeal to the education market and indirectly enhance the competitiveness of Mac products in the global market.
Judging from Apple's launch of a new MacBook priced in the $599 range, the idea behind this is expected to include expanding the Mac ecosystem and attracting more users into the Mac ecosystem through lower-priced designs. It will also allow it to further compete with Microsoft and Google in the education market, and it will also revitalize the A-series processors that were originally only used in iPhones and iPads.
