WEB DESK: Apple is reportedly gearing up to enter new territory with a budget-friendly MacBook, a move that could reshape its laptop line-up but also risks repeating some of its past missteps.
The new model, tipped to arrive as early as late 2025 or early 2026, is said to feature a 13-inch display and the same A18 Pro chip powering the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. If true, this would mark the first time Apple has equipped a MacBook with an iPhone-class processor instead of its M-series chips.
A MacBook for the masses?
Speculation around the device suggests a starting price between $699 and $799, potentially dropping even lower with student discounts. That price point would position it well below the MacBook Air, long considered Apple’s entry-level laptop, which usually sells for around $999 but often goes on sale closer to $799.
However, analysts warn that the appeal of this cheaper MacBook will depend on how much Apple cuts from the package. Rumoured compromises include halving memory to 8GB, trimming back battery capacity, or removing features such as extra USB-C ports, Touch ID, and high-end webcams.
“Touch ID is the one cut users might really notice,” one industry watcher noted, pointing out that Apple has already shipped its M4 iMac without a Touch ID keyboard.
Lessons from the iPad
Apple has been here before. In 2022, the company launched a redesigned entry-level iPad priced at $449, only $50 less than the iPad Air on sale. The pricing strategy confused buyers at the time, and many simply opted for the Air with its superior chip and display.
That entry-level iPad has since dropped to $349, with frequent discounts bringing it even lower, making it far more attractive today than at launch.
The concern now is whether Apple’s new MacBook could become another so-called “decoy model” – a product that exists more to nudge consumers towards higher-priced devices rather than stand as a competitive option on its own.
Big sales forecast
Despite the doubts, renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects the company to sell between 5 and 7 million units of the new MacBook in 2026. For Apple, that would represent a major bet on price-sensitive customers who want the Apple experience without paying premium prices.
Yet for buyers, the question remains: will the cheaper MacBook be a genuine bargain or just a cut-down compromise? With discounted MacBook Airs already hovering around $799, Apple will need to offer something compelling to make its new entry-level laptop truly stand out.
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