Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that Apple is developing an affordable MacBook laptop equipped with an iPhone’s A-series chip, instead of the M-series chips currently used in its computers.
Bloomberg’s sources indicate that this budget MacBook will feature a completely new design, with a screen size smaller than 13.3 inches (currently the smallest screen option for the MacBook Air), and will utilize LCD display technology.
Mockup of a sleek silver MacBook, illustrating the concept of an affordable model with an iPhone chip and LCD screen.The affordable MacBook is expected to use the A18 Pro chip, the same type of chip Apple equips in the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max duo (Illustrative photo: Getty).
The sources also suggest that this affordable MacBook is likely to be launched in the first half of 2026, with a price ranging from $600 to under $1,000. This pricing strategy is attributed to the fact that for $600, users can purchase a standard iPad bundled with a detachable Magic Keyboard Folio to use it as a laptop.
However, the sources did not disclose the specific chip type that the budget MacBook will use. Some previously leaked news indicated that the product would be equipped with the A18 Pro chip, which is used in the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max duo.
Until now, all MacBook laptops have used Apple’s self-developed M-series chips. However, Bloomberg’s sources stated that Apple’s tests show iPhone chips can operate optimally for computers and even achieve better performance than the M1 chip, which Apple launched in 2020.
In performance reviews using the Geekbench application, the A18 Pro chip scored 3,500 in single-core processing, only slightly lower than the M4 chip. However, the multi-core processing score for the A18 Pro chip was only 8,780, significantly lower than the 15,000 score achieved by the M4 chip in the same test.
The affordable MacBook is seen as a product targeting students or first-time MacBook users, helping them access the product at a “softer” price point.
Earlier this year, market analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who frequently provides analyses and insights into new Apple products, stated that the “Cupertino giant” is developing an affordable MacBook with various color options, including silver, blue, pink, and gold.
In mid-October, Apple also launched the MacBook Pro using the all-new M5 chip. Bloomberg’s sources reported that Apple has also finalized the MacBook Air with the M5 chip, while the MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips is currently under development.
It is not ruled out that Apple will launch the affordable MacBook alongside the new M5-powered MacBook Air and MacBook Pro series early next year.
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