Apple's upcoming low-cost MacBook is one of the year's most anticipated consumer devices. And, in what constitutes a nod to the ongoing memory crisis, the device will feature reduced RAM to preserve its low retail price.
Apple's low-cost MacBook to retail at between $699 and $799
As per the reporting by Taiwan's Mirror Daily, Apple's upcoming low-cost MacBook is expected to sport the A18 Pro chip, the same SoC that powers the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, and remains comparable to the M1 chip in performance.
Surprisingly, and in what likely constitutes a nod to the constrained memory supply, the new cheaper MacBook is expected to sport just 8GB of RAM, which is a hefty downgrade from the 12GB RAM that it was previously rumored to sport. Even so, do note that up until 2024, 8GB constituted the base RAM for most MacBooks.
Elsewhere, the report goes on to note that the low-cost MacBook will feature a 12.9-inch screen, which also constitutes an apparent downgrade from the 13.6-inch LCD panel that the device was previously rumored to feature. As a differentiating factor, the device will reportedly feature a brightly colored body, replete with color options such as yellow or goose pink.
The report adds that Apple has secured sufficient memory for the upcoming low-cost MacBook and expects to record an annual sales volume of between 5 million and 8 million units.
Finally, the report notes that the low-cost MacBook will be priced at between $699 and $799. Do note that Apple's current cheapest MacBook Air starts retailing at $899.
We've aggregated the low-cost MacBook's expected specs in a dedicated post. As such, apart from the specs detailed by Mirror Daily, the new device is expected to sport:
- 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.
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.
