TrendForce tips a 12.9-inch compact MacBook for spring 2026, using Apple’s A18 Pro chip with slim bezels and fanless efficiency, priced below MacBook Air.
© A. Krivonosov
Apple may be preparing its most affordable notebook in years. According to TrendForce analysts, in spring 2026 the company plans to unveil a compact MacBook with a 12.9-inch display, positioned below the MacBook Air line. The device could mark a return to the ultra-portable format Apple abandoned a few years ago when it discontinued the 12-inch MacBook—an about-face that feels overdue given how travel-friendly machines have surged back into favor.
Reports indicate the laptop will feature slim bezels, keeping its footprint close to larger models while staying light and easy to carry. Unlike earlier compact Intel-based MacBooks that struggled with performance, this model is expected to avoid those pitfalls by using Apple’s A18 Pro mobile chip, the one familiar from the iPhone 16 Pro range—a pragmatic choice for a machine built around mobility.
While an A-series processor isn’t part of the M family, leaks point to a substantial leap over previous generations. In single-threaded tasks, the chip could handily outpace older designs and, in everyday use, edge toward the original M1. Strong power efficiency and the ability to run without active cooling would be an obvious bonus for a compact notebook.
Official pricing hasn’t been disclosed, but analysts suggest Apple could price it notably below the MacBook Air. That would make sense amid an expected 2026 bump in laptop prices driven by memory shortages and pressure from the AI market. If the rumors hold, Apple may finally offer a compact MacBook without the old compromises—aimed at study, travel, and everyday tasks.