Apple's low-cost MacBook with A19 Pro: specs, price, launch

Apple is preparing a significant refresh of its laptop lineup with a clear eye on the budget segment. Analysts and industry sources say the company is developing a new affordable MacBook built not on M‑series silicon but on a mobile A‑series processor, most likely the A19 Pro. That approach would put Apple in direct contention with low-cost Windows notebooks and Chromebooks, opening the door to a broader audience.

Analyst Ming‑Chi Kuo expects mass production could begin as early as the fourth quarter of 2025, with initial shipments landing toward the end of the year or in early 2026. Other reports point in the same direction: DigiTimes mentions a launch by the end of the third quarter of 2025, while Bloomberg reports that Apple is already testing a low-cost laptop and preparing it for release in the first half of 2026.

A further hint emerged in Apple Intelligence code, where the identifier Mac17,1 appears and matches no current Mac. It is believed to be the forthcoming MacBook based on the A19 Pro. The name is still unknown, and Apple could simply revive the MacBook brand, previously used for a 12‑inch model that also targeted value-focused buyers.

Rumors point to a display around 12.9 inches—slightly smaller than a MacBook Air—and a pared-back port selection centered on USB‑C. Using the A19 Pro should help bring costs down while leaving enough performance for everyday tasks at roughly the level of an M1‑powered MacBook Air. At least 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage are expected, along with support for modern wireless standards.

Analysts believe Apple wants to meaningfully grow MacBook sales, which will likely require a price clearly below $999. Sources suggest a range of $729 to $849, making it the most affordable Mac in the current lineup. If the price lands there, the new model could reset expectations at the entry level and add fresh pressure on budget Windows laptops and Chromebooks.