Apple’s most affordable laptop currently is the MacBook Air, priced at $999. However, this could soon change, according to analyst Ming Chi Kuo.

On social platform X, Kuo revealed that Apple plans to produce a new MacBook model by late 2025 or early 2026. Uniquely, this laptop would use the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro instead of Apple’s usual M-series chips. The device is expected to come in eye-catching colors such as silver, pink, and gold.

According to Kuo, the new budget MacBook will feature a 13-inch display like the MacBook Air, with the chip being the primary difference between the two models.

The pricing of the new MacBook remains unclear. However, Kuo noted that Apple aims to produce 5 to 7 million units in 2026, suggesting the model will account for a significant share of the company’s total laptop shipments. This signals a potential strategic pricing shift by Apple to attract a broader customer base.

Currently, all Mac computers run on M-series chips. Still, the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro is powerful enough to provide a stable user experience for a Mac.

On Geekbench, the A18 Pro’s single-core score is nearly 3,500, just slightly behind the M4 chip in the Mac mini. While there's a notable gap in multi-core performance (8,780 for A18 Pro versus 15,000 for M4), for a lower-end machine, users may not perceive much difference in daily use.

Many basic computing tasks rely heavily on single-core performance. The A18 Pro's multi-core score is close to that of the original M1 chip from 2020.

The success of this new MacBook will largely depend on its pricing and how much it undercuts the MacBook Air. Apple has never sold a laptop for less than $999, so this device could mark a new chapter for both consumers and the company.

Du Lam (9to5mac)