Apple’s rumoured budget MacBook for 2026: Expected Size, chip, price and launch date

Apple MacBook

• Apple may launch a low-cost MacBook under $1,000 in early 2026
• New MacBook expected to use A18 Pro chip and a standard LCD display
• Device for students and home users offers strong battery life and performance

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Apple is reportedly working on a new low-cost MacBook that could arrive in the first half of 2026. If the rumours hold true, this would mark a notable shift in Apple’s laptop strategy, bringing macOS to a much lower price point than the current $999 MacBook Air. The move appears aimed at users who want a proper computer for everyday tasks but find Apple’s existing lineup out of reach.

Current leaks suggest the budget MacBook will feature a display size close to 13 inches. That puts it just below the 13.6-inch panel used on the MacBook Air, indicating that Apple is not dramatically shrinking the device to cut costs. There is no concrete information about thickness, but expectations are that Apple will not chase extreme thinness here. Ultra-thin designs often increase manufacturing complexity and cost, and they also limit battery capacity. Given Apple’s focus on battery life as a competitive advantage, maintaining a practical enclosure size makes more sense than chasing headline measurements.

On the display front, compromises are expected. The low-cost MacBook is tipped to use a standard LCD panel, with no mini-LED backlighting, no HDR capabilities and no ProMotion refresh rate. Brightness and contrast will likely lag behind Apple’s premium notebooks, much like the trade-offs seen in the entry-level iPad. Performance, rather than screen technology, appears to be the priority for this machine.

Design choices could also help Apple clearly differentiate the budget MacBook from the MacBook Air and Pro. While there are no firm leaks yet, brighter colour options similar to the iMac range are a possibility. Some speculation even points to a return of plastic elements in the casing to reduce costs, echoing Apple’s earlier MacBook designs. Colours rumoured so far include silver, blue, pink and yellow.

The most interesting aspect of this MacBook is its processor. Apple is expected to use the A18 Pro chip, first introduced in the iPhone 16 Pro. Built on Apple’s second-generation 3-nanometre process, the A18 Pro is both powerful and highly efficient. Benchmarks indicate single-core performance comparable to much larger desktop-class chips, while multi-core results exceed those of the original M1 MacBook Air. GPU performance is also in the same range as the M1, making the A18 Pro more than capable for daily workloads.

In practical terms, this means the low-cost MacBook should comfortably handle web browsing, document editing, video streaming, photo editing and light video work. It would also support Apple Intelligence features and run macOS apps, offering a more flexible alternative to an iPad paired with a keyboard. While it will not be aimed at intensive gaming or heavy professional workflows, it should be fast enough for students, home users and office tasks.

Battery life could be another strong selling point. The A18 Pro is designed for efficiency, and a 13-inch chassis leaves ample room for a large battery. Matching or even exceeding the MacBook Air’s 15 to 18 hours of use seems achievable.

Pricing remains unconfirmed, but Bloomberg suggests it will be well under $1,000. With the 13-inch iPad Air priced at $799 and the iPad mini at $499, a price somewhere between those figures would allow Apple to neatly slot the new MacBook into its lineup.

If launched alongside refreshed MacBook Air models in early 2026, this device could become Apple’s most accessible laptop yet, and a compelling reason for buyers to wait before choosing a Chromebook, budget Windows laptop or even an iPad.