Apple's much-anticipated low-cost MacBook might land within months to take on Chromebooks and Windows-based budget laptops. What's more, the fact that the device is already in early production and active testing phase bolsters the thesis for its near-imminent launch.
Apple's low-cost MacBook to land within months
Bloomberg is now reporting that Apple's low-cost MacBook will launch within the first half of 2026. Additional details from the report include:
- The low-cost MacBook bears an internal codename J700.
- The device is already in early production, with Apple engineers currently carrying out active testing on the device.
- The device is expected to be priced at a sub-$1,000 price point.
- Apple is targeting students, businesses, and casual users with its budget MacBook.
- The device would significantly expand Apple's TAM by directly tackling Chromebooks and budget Windows-based laptops.
The move represents a strategic shift for Apple, which has usually only targeted the premium segments of the tech sphere, which entail hefty margins.
The launch of a low-cost MacBook would also allow Apple to pick up some of the Windows 10 customers, especially as Microsoft has now ended official support for the now-defunct OS.
Of course, Apple has already experimented with quasi-budget MacBook offerings by discounting the M1 MacBook Air to below $700 price point via Walmart.
Currently, the M4 MacBook Air is Apple's cheapest MacBook, which retails for $999. However, student discounts can bring down the device's price to $899. And while a cheap Mac is coming, the flagship M6 OLED Macbook is the real star, due later next year.
As we've noted in a number of our previous posts, Apple's low-cost MacBook (base variant) is likely to be priced between $599 and $699. Other details include:
- A 13.6-inch LCD panel.
- The budget MacBook is likely to launch with the A18 Pro SoC.
- A USB 3.2 Gen 2 controller capable of speeds of 10Gb/s, or 1.25GB/s.
- No Thunderbolt controllers.
- Apple is likely to use the aluminum chassis of the MacBook Air for its upcoming low-cost MacBook, albeit with reduced component specs.
- A haptic trackpad, but without a backlit keyboard.
- A 12GB RAM and 256GB storage.
About the author: Writing is my one incontrovertible passion. Over the past six years, he has authored over 2,200 distinct articles on financial and tech-related topics, spanning nearly 1 million words. And he has been a member of Wcctech mobile team since 2025. As an alumnus of the University of Toronto, Rotman Commerce Program, I bring nuance, in-depth knowledge, and a unique perspective to every topic that I cover. When I'm not writing, I'm traveling the world, exploring hidden confectionaries and restaurants as an aspiring food connoisseur.
Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.
