Apple is developing a budget laptop under $1,000 with an A18 Pro chip, 13.6-inch display, 12GB RAM, 256GB storage, and USB‑C 3.2; announcement expected Q1 2026.
© A. Krivonosov
Apple is preparing a new budget laptop that will sit between the iPad and the MacBook Air. Priced under $1,000, the machine is positioned to rival entry-level notebooks in capability while keeping the price in check.
Known internally as J700, the laptop is built around the A18 Pro mobile processor from the iPhone 16 Pro. It trails Apple’s M4 chips but delivers enough performance for everyday tasks. The device features a 13.6-inch display, an aluminum chassis, 12 GB of RAM, and 256 GB of storage.
It offers two USB‑C 3.2 Gen 2 ports without Thunderbolt, and the keyboard drops backlighting to keep costs down. Production is already underway, with an announcement expected in the first quarter of 2026. The configuration hints at a deliberate push into a more accessible price tier, while maintaining a straightforward, no-nonsense spec sheet.