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Apple may launch colourful low-cost MacBook models with iPhone chip: What to expect
Apple may launch colourful low-cost MacBook models with iPhone chip: What to expect
Apple is reportedly launching a budget MacBook soon, featuring an iPhone-class A18 Pro chip and a display under 13 inches. Aimed at students and new Mac users, it's expected to be priced between $599-$799, competing with Chromebooks. The device will focus on portability and everyday tasks, with multiple colour options anticipated.
Gadgets Now Bureau | Gadgets Now
Published: Feb 21, 2026, 02:51PM IST
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Apple is reportedly planning to expand its MacBook lineup with a more affordable MacBook model powered by an iPhone-class chip. According to recent rumours, the upcoming laptop is expected to feature a display smaller than 13 inches. It is being positioned to compete with budget Windows laptops and Chromebooks, while also serving as an entry point into the Mac ecosystem for new users.The company has reportedly been developing a more affordable MacBook, which could launch within the next two weeks. Bloomberg reports that Apple has tested colour options including light yellow, light green, blue, pink, silver, and dark grey. The laptop is also expected to run on the A18 Pro chip, which Apple first introduced with the iPhone 16 Pro.
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According to a MacRumors report, Apple’s upcoming low-cost MacBook is expected to be priced below the $999 starting price of the MacBook Air. However, the company is unlikely to position the device too close to its iPad lineup in terms of pricing. The entry-level iPad with the A16 chip starts at $349, while the iPad Air with the M2 chip begins at $599.The price range of $599 to $799 may be an effective positioning for the device, as it will be positioned below the MacBook Air and iPad Pro, yet still close to the iPad Air’s pricing. The $599 price will position it in a category similar to some widely used Chromebooks in the education sector. In comparison, the $699 or $799 price will position it in a similar category, but slightly higher. It is worth noting that $599 is also the starting price of the iPhone 16e, which is Apple’s lower-cost iPhone that comes with a slightly less powerful A18 chip, according to MacRumors.Rumours indicate that the low-cost MacBook could be introduced at, or shortly before, Apple’s March 4 Special Experience events in New York, London, and Shanghai. Apple may also announce the device through a press release ahead of the event. Apple may invite some attendees to get hands-on time with the new MacBook, alongside other upcoming devices, the report added.The report also noted that Apple’s naming strategy for the device remains unclear. With the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro already in the lineup, the company could revive the “MacBook” name, which Apple has used in the past but is not currently part of its active product range.
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Apple’s rumoured low-cost MacBook is expected to focus on efficiency, portability, and everyday usability rather than high-performance computing. The laptop could feature a thin, light design thanks to an A-series chip, which generates less heat and requires simpler cooling.Some rumours suggest it may draw inspiration from Apple’s earlier 12-inch MacBook, though the company may avoid making it thinner than the MacBook Air to prevent overlap within its lineup. Apple could instead adopt a slightly thicker chassis using older display technology, similar to its approach with entry-level iPads, which may also help deliver longer battery life suited for students and educational use.Colour options are likely to be a key part of the device’s identity. Apple has reportedly tested shades such as light yellow, light green, blue, pink, silver, and dark grey, but the company may ship only four options. Meanwhile, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects yellow, silver, blue, and pink variants, similar to the iPad lineup, may arrive.
The device is widely expected to run on the A18 Pro chip, built on a second-generation 3nm process with a 6-core CPU, a 6-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. Performance is expected to be suitable for tasks such as web browsing, document work, streaming, and light photo or video editing. However, it may not handle demanding workloads, such as 4K video editing or 3D rendering.Apple is reportedly developing the MacBook with students in mind, positioning it as an alternative to affordable Chromebooks. The laptop could feature at least 8GB of RAM to support Apple Intelligence, optional 16GB of RAM, a starting storage capacity of 128GB, USB-C ports without Thunderbolt support, and compatibility with a single external display.
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