Apple's affordable MacBook can be introduced. Photo- MacBook Air (2025)
Technology Desk, New Delhi. There were long rumors that Apple would launch a non-flagship MacBook to compete with other brands in the affordable laptop market. According to a recent note shared by a market research firm, this model may finally be launched in 2026. It is expected to have a 12.9-inch display like select iPad Air and iPad Pro models and will sit below the MacBook Air in the Cupertino-based tech giant's lineup.
Apple's affordable MacBook Air
According to recent results shared by market research firm TrendForce, Apple will launch a 12.9-inch MacBook in the spring of 2026, sometime between March, April and May. It is expected that it will target the entry-to-mid-range segment of laptops. It was previously expected that mass production of laptop components would begin by Q3 2025 and assembly of the entire ecosystem would begin before the end of the year.
The research note suggests that supply chain efficiency, scale advantages and competitive pricing could help low-cost MacBooks attract buyers and maintain consistent shipment performance.
According to previous reports, the alleged MacBook may have a 12.9-inch screen, making it the MacBook with the smallest display in Apple's lineup. For reference, Apple's smallest-screen MacBook currently available is the 13-inch MacBook Air.
This laptop can be equipped with A18 Pro chipset, which also powers the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The Apple Silicon chip includes a hexa-core CPU, a hexa-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine, the same as the M1 MacBook Air. According to the report, the low-cost MacBook will come with 8GB RAM. It may also lack many standard Apple features, such as a Thunderbolt port. Instead, it is said to have a simple USB Type-C port, which will support slower data transfer speeds and external display limitations.
Like the MacBook Air and Pro models, the low-cost MacBook may be offered in several bright shades, including blue, silver, pink and yellow. Its price in the US is expected to start between $699 (roughly Rs. 63,000) and $799 (roughly Rs. 72,000), which could be up to $300 (roughly Rs. 27,000) less than the entry-level MacBook Air.
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