Apple's rumored 'cheap' MacBook makes me worried for Windows laptops and Chromebooks
Source: ZDNet
Apple MacBook Air M4 in Sky Blue
Photo: Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Apple could announce a new “cheap” MacBook on March 4.
- The device will likely use the A18 chip found in the iPhone 16 Pro.
- Prices are expected to start around $599.
What’s being rumored?
A new, affordable 13‑inch MacBook is said to be powered by the low‑power A18 processor rather than Apple’s usual M‑series chips. Using a less expensive processor would let Apple keep the cost down, especially if the laptop also features a modest display and a smaller form factor.
“The device will be well under $1,000,” says Apple insider Mark Gurman (Bloomberg).
For comparison, a MacBook Air can drop to $749 during sales at third‑party retailers.
A starting price near $599 would give the laptop a clear advantage over budget PCs and Chromebooks, while a price under $500 would put it in direct competition with those segments.
Also: How Nothing plans to crash Apple’s March launch party
Why this matters
Apple has long focused on the premium laptop market. Introducing a budget‑friendly MacBook would be a major shift, but it isn’t entirely new territory. In 2015 Apple released a 12‑inch MacBook (Intel‑based) that was thin, lightweight, and priced above $1,000. It suffered from:
- 8 GB RAM (expensive for a budget model)
- The unpopular butterfly keyboard
- A single USB‑C port
While that model didn’t succeed, it gave Apple valuable lessons. The upcoming device will likely be branded simply “MacBook,” positioning it as an entry‑level addition to the existing lineup.
Sources
- ZDNET article on the cheap MacBook rumor
- Mark Gurman’s Bloomberg newsletter (Power On)
- Apple’s 2015 12‑inch MacBook product page (archived)
Read the room
[Image: Tim Cook at the 2025 Apple Event with the iPhone 17 models]
Jason Hiner / ZDNET
It’s no secret that, in this economy, consumers are spending less, upgrading more slowly, and being far more budget‑conscious. Combined with the upgrade fatigue of yet another new laptop or iPhone making their current gear feel obsolete, expanding into the budget‑laptop market is not only strategic but necessary.
But would mass‑producing a $500 laptop series dilute Apple’s premium image? Maybe, but Apple doesn’t have much to lose. The MacBook Air and Pro will continue to receive incremental upgrades this year with the M5 chip, and a cheap laptop would both offset the lack of major developments on the core lineup and give Apple access to market share in the one area it has historically lacked: the budget sector.
Also: MacBook Pro vs. MacBook Air: We tested both models, and here’s which one to buy in 2026
Who is the intended demographic?
- Students – the obvious target.
- Budget‑conscious users – anyone looking for an affordable, portable device.
- Kids and teens – a first‑time laptop that integrates tightly with an iPhone.
- Travelers – a lightweight, battery‑efficient companion for on‑the‑go productivity.
The A18’s performance would make the device well‑suited for general web browsing, everyday productivity tasks, and seamless integration with the iPhone (FaceTime, Messages, and, hopefully, the Phone app).
Potential limitations
- The A18 chip doesn’t support Thunder‑bolt, so ports would be standard USB‑C only.
- The display is unlikely to match a MacBook Pro’s Liquid Retina XDR quality.
- Camera specs are uncertain and would probably be lower‑end, if present at all.
These constraints aren’t deal‑breakers. Not every consumer needs three 8K displays; many just want an affordable, battery‑efficient device that handles web browsing and works out‑of‑the‑box with their iPhone. That could be exactly what this device is designed for.