According to engadget, Apple is preparing to launch its first low-cost Mac laptop in the first half of 2026. The company is already testing devices internally and has early production underway at overseas suppliers. This budget MacBook would target Chromebook and cheap Windows PC users, specifically aiming at students, casual users, and businesses. It’s expected to feature a new design with a lower-end LCD display and run on an A-series iPhone processor that outperforms the M1 chip. Apple wants to sell this system for “well under $1,000,” potentially around $700 to compete with higher-end Chromebooks. The company also sees this as an opportunity to convert potential iPad buyers who prefer traditional laptops.
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<h2 id="apples-budget-problem”>Apple‘s Budget Problem
Here’s the thing: Apple doesn’t do “cheap” well. They do “premium” exceptionally well, but every time they’ve tried to go downmarket, it’s been messy. Remember the plastic MacBook? Or the iPhone 5C? Those products always felt like compromised versions of the real thing rather than genuinely compelling budget options.
And let’s talk about that target price. “Well under $1,000” sounds great until you realize Chromebooks start at $200 and decent Windows laptops hover around $400-500. Even at $700, Apple would be asking people to pay double what they’d spend on perfectly functional alternatives. Basically, they’re trying to compete in a market where their brand premium might actually work against them.
The Timing Play
Now, the timing angle is actually pretty smart. With Windows 10 support ending and millions of devices becoming obsolete, there’s a genuine opportunity to scoop up users who need to replace their laptops anyway. Businesses especially might see this as a chance to standardize on Apple without breaking the bank completely.
But here’s my question: Are budget-conscious buyers really going to jump from a $400 Windows machine to a $700 Mac? That’s still a huge premium, especially when you consider that most of these users just need web browsing and document editing. The performance boost from an A-series chip might be impressive, but does it matter for checking email and writing papers?
The iPad Conundrum
This move also creates an interesting problem for Apple’s own product lineup. They’re basically admitting that some people just don’t want an iPad, even with keyboard accessories. But if this budget MacBook succeeds, it could cannibalize iPad sales rather than stealing Chromebook customers.
And let’s not forget the display situation. A “lower-end LCD” in Apple’s world might still be decent, but it’s going to look pretty sad next to the gorgeous screens on current MacBooks. That’s the fundamental tension here – how do you make something feel like a MacBook without including the features that make MacBooks expensive?
Look, I want this to work. More people in the Apple ecosystem could be good for everyone. But history suggests that when Apple tries to compete on price, they end up with products that please nobody. Either they’re too expensive to compete with true budget options, or they’re too compromised to satisfy Apple loyalists. We’ll see if 2026 brings a different outcome.
