Apple’s most reasonably priced new laptop computer is a $999 MacBook Air. For lots of people, that’s nonetheless too costly, particularly when in comparison with Chromebooks and funds PCs. However Apple might lastly be doing one thing about that.
Based on analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple plans to launch a brand-new MacBook mannequin that’s designed for the low-cost market. The laptop computer won’t use an M-series chip, however an A18 Professional, the identical chip discovered within the iPhone 16 Professional. Kuo believes it would have a 13-inch show and are available blue, pink, silver, and yellow.
Kuo claims that the brand new laptop computer will turn out to be out there both on the finish of this yr or the start of 2026. Apple has established late fall because the timeframe for the MacBook Professional releases, and the corporate is anticipated to replace that laptop computer to the M5 this yr. If Apple doesn’t launch the brand new A18 Professional-based laptop computer on the identical time, the corporate may launch it alongside the M5 MacBook Air replace in 2026, which often arrives within the first quarter.
Using an A18 Professional is attention-grabbing. It’s an iPhone chip, however Apple’s A- and M-series chips are based mostly on the identical common structure–the M chips make the most of the MacBook’s dimension and are extra outfitted to deal with bigger processing duties. An A18 Professional MacBook will have the ability to do every little thing a M-series MacBook can, however it will likely be slower. In our previous evaluations, the A18 Professional within the iPhone 16 Professional has a Geekbench Multi-Core rating of 8048, whereas the M4 MacBook Air’s rating is 14680, however it would nonetheless be loads succesful.
A16 Professional vs. M-series chips: Geekbench 6.4
Outcomes are expressed as Geekbench scores. Increased scores/longer bars are quicker.
Actually, in comparison with all the base-level M chips, the A18 Professional is even slower than the M1 that was launched 5 years in the past, although the distinction is nominal. Even when Apple can enhance the efficiency of an A16 Professional in a MacBook, it would really feel like an M1 MacBook Air–which isn’t dangerous in any respect. Even right now, an M1 MacBook Air is an efficient laptop computer for lots of people who solely use it for fundamental duties corresponding to e-mail and internet searching.
Using a 13-inch show can be attention-grabbing. Whereas the show will probably be just like that of the 13-inch MacBook Air–an LED backlit panel–what is going to Apple do to take care of the profile distinction between this laptop computer and the Air? The 13-inch Air is 0.44 inches (1.13 cm) thick and weighs 2.7 kilos (1.24 kg). At first, it could appear as if Apple would want to make this new laptop computer thicker and heavier to keep away from negating the Air’s airiness, however that is probably not the case as a result of Apple may emphasize the Air’s mixture of efficiency and portability.
Providing the brand new laptop computer in blue, pink, silver, and yellow brings again reminiscences of the iBook and its sweet colours. However that additionally raises the query: will these laptops have aluminum circumstances? Kuo doesn’t supply particulars on the case materials. Apple ditched plastic laptop computer circumstances years in the past, however that doesn’t imply it received’t return. Plastic is cheaper than aluminum, and Kuo experiences that Apple’s aim is to promote 25 million MacBook models a yr, which might be a 5 million improve. To maneuver 5 million models, Apple might should carry the worth considerably decrease, and plastic might permit the corporate to try this.
MacRumors experiences that there could also be references to this new laptop computer within the code of Apple Intelligence. Kuo doesn’t supply any extra specifics concerning the laptop computer, although if this rumor holds up, we should always hear extra about it within the coming months.
