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Apple’s Low Cost MacBook Launch Timeline Surfaces; Could Feature iPhone 16 Pro’s Chipset

Apple’s Low-Cost MacBook Launch Timeline Surfaces; Could Feature iPhone 16 Pro’s Chipset

The purported MacBook could sport a 12.9-inch screen, establishing itself as the MacBook with the smallest screen in Apple’s lineup.

Written by Shaurya Tomer, Edited by Ketan Pratap | Updated: 3 January 2026 13:05 IST

Apple’s Low-Cost MacBook Launch Timeline Surfaces; Could Feature iPhone 16 Pro’s Chipset

Photo Credit: Apple

The MacBook Air (2025) is currently the most affordable Apple laptop available

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Highlights

The low-cost MacBook is reported to feature a 12.9-inch display
It could be powered by the A18 Pro chipset from iPhone 16 Pro models
Prices may start between $699 and $799 in the US market

Apple has long been rumoured to launch a non-flagship MacBook to compete with other brands in the affordable laptop market. The purported model could finally see the light of day in 2026, according to a recent note shared by a market research firm. It is expected to feature a 12.9-inch display, similar to select iPad Air and iPad Pro models, and slot below the MacBook Air in the Cupertino-based tech giant's lineup.

Apple's Low-Cost MacBook Air

According to recent findings shared by market research firm TrendForce, Apple will launch the 12.9-inch MacBook in spring 2026, between March, April, and May. It is expected to target the entry-to-mid-range segment of laptops. The laptop's components were previously expected to enter mass production by Q3 2025, with full ecosystem assembly commencing before the end of the year.

The research note suggests that supply chain efficiencies, scale benefits, and competitive pricing could help the low-cost MacBook attract buyers and maintain a sustained shipment performance.

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Per previous reports, the purported MacBook could sport a 12.9-inch screen, establishing itself as the MacBook with the smallest display in Apple's lineup. For context, Apple's smallest screen MacBook currently available is the 13-inch MacBook Air.

The laptop could be powered by the A18 Pro chipset, which also powers the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The Apple silicon chip comprises a hexa-core CPU, a hexa-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine, identical to the M1 MacBook Air. The low-cost MacBook is reported to ship with 8GB of RAM. It may also lack several standardised Apple features, like a Thunderbolt port. Instead, it is rumoured to feature simple USB Type-C ports, supporting slower data transfer speeds and external display limitations.

Like the MacBook Air and Pro models, the low-cost MacBook could be offered in several bright shades, including blue, silver, pink, and yellow colourways. Its price in the US is expected to start between $699 (roughly Rs. 63,000) and $799 (roughly Rs. 72,000), potentially undercutting the entry-level MacBook Air by up to $300 (roughly Rs. 27,000).

iPhone 16 Pro

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.30-inch

Processor Apple A18 Pro

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 48-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 18

Resolution 1206x2622 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

iPhone 16 Pro Max

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Massive screen size
Brilliant display
Performance beast
Camera Control is a boon
Fantastic battery life

Bad
Big phone for one-hand use
Expensive
No Apple Intelligence at launch
Slow-wired charging support

Read detailed Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max review

Display 6.90-inch

Processor Apple A18 Pro

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 48-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 18

Resolution 1320x2868 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

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Further reading: MacBook, Apple MacBook

Shaurya Tomer

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Shaurya Tomer is a Sub Editor at Gadgets 360 with 2 years of experience across a diverse spectrum of topics. With a particular focus on smartphones, gadgets and the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), he often likes to explore the industry's intricacies and innovations – whether dissecting the latest smartphone release or exploring the ethical implications of AI advancements. In his free time, he often embarks on impromptu road trips to unwind, recharge, and ...More