Everything we know about Apple’s budget MacBook coming in 2026: A18 Pro chip, 13-inch LCD, Apple Intelligence, up to 18-hour battery, sub-$1,000 pricing.
© A. Krivonosov
Apple is preparing a new budget-friendly laptop that is set to become the company’s most affordable computer yet. It is expected to arrive in the first half of 2026 and be priced noticeably lower than today’s $999 MacBook Air. The goal is straightforward: offer a machine that can compete with low-cost Chromebooks and Windows laptops while preserving the hallmark quality and dependable macOS ecosystem.
The upcoming MacBook is shaping up as an appealing option for anyone seeking a light, inexpensive computer for everyday tasks—documents, browsing, video streaming, and study. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the device will feature a display of around 13 inches. That’s slightly smaller than the 13.6-inch MacBook Air, yet the overall footprint should be comparable. Apple is unlikely to chase extreme thinness here: to keep costs down, the company will probably opt for a simpler build while retaining the brand’s restrained elegance. The thickness is not expected to exceed today’s 1.12 cm, and even at that compact size the MacBook Air already runs fanless and remains stable.
The screen will use LCD technology without mini-LED backlighting or the high-refresh ProMotion feature. That’s a standard choice for affordable models, but Apple may add some flair through color. Rumor has it the laptop will come in four finishes—silver, blue, pink, and yellow—echoing the iMac palette, which would neatly align the entry-level machine with Apple’s brighter aesthetic.
The key technical twist is Apple’s choice of the A18 Pro processor. Debuting in the iPhone 16 Pro and built on a second‑generation 3 nm process, it comes paired with 8 GB of RAM and supports Apple Intelligence, the company’s suite of AI features integrated across its ecosystem. Despite being part of a mobile chip family, its performance is more than sufficient for daily workloads. In Geekbench 6 it delivers single-core results comparable to the M3 Ultra and surpasses the M1 in multi-core tasks. Graphics performance is also close to the M1, enabling photo and video work as well as modern mobile games—on paper, plenty for the audience this device targets.
In practice, the new laptop’s capabilities should be on par with early MacBook Air models, but at a markedly lower price. It will handle all the basics—document editing, web work, video playback, and light video cuts. With the A18 Pro, it should also run Apple Arcade titles and apps familiar to iPhone and iPad users, though heavy professional projects will be beyond its scope. Final Cut Pro, for instance, will run, but video exports will take longer than on M‑series machines—a trade-off that feels reasonable for the segment.
When it comes to connectivity, Apple is likely to keep the port selection minimal to save costs. A single USB‑C port is possible, though two—like on the MacBook Air—can’t be ruled out. Thanks to the A18 Pro’s efficiency and the available space inside the chassis, the laptop should accommodate a sizable battery, targeting MacBook Air–level endurance—up to 18 hours of video playback and up to 15 hours of web use.
Pricing has not been announced, but Bloomberg reported it would be well under $1,000. Since the MacBook Air starts at $999, it’s logical to expect this model to slot between $499 and $799. For context, the 13‑inch iPad Air costs $799 yet carries a more powerful M‑series chip, while the iPad mini with an A17 Pro starts at $499. In this light, the new laptop could become a natural bridge in the lineup, offering full macOS at a price that sits between Apple’s tablets and notebooks. The precedent of the old M1 MacBook Air being sold at retail for $599 also hints at the likely range—if Apple lands there, it could spur strong interest.
The affordable MacBook is expected in the first half of 2026, likely around the same time as the refreshed MacBook Air. That timing would help Apple shore up its position in the value segment, offering those who previously gravitated to Chromebooks or low-cost Windows machines a credible macOS alternative with solid performance. It looks like a pragmatic step—lower the entry point without sacrificing the familiar polish and ease of use that define the brand.