Apple is preparing to make a move in an area where, until now, it has barely set foot: that of the really cheap laptops within the MacBook familySeveral supply chain reports and analysis firms agree that the company is finalizing a new access model which will rely on an iPhone processor to cut costs without compromising the user experience.
The idea would be to offer a Cheap MacBook with A18 Pro chipMore affordable than the MacBook Air and designed for everyday tasks: browsing, studying, working with documents, video calls, or consuming content. On paper, this device is aimed squarely at users in Spain and Europe who, until now, have opted for Chromebooks or budget-friendly Windows laptops simply due to budget constraints.
A new step in the MacBook range below the Air
Various reports indicate that Apple is preparing a MacBook clearly cheaper than MacBook Airwhich until now was the entry point to the macOS ecosystem in a portable format. The goal is to fill a very specific gap: that segment of users who want a Mac but cannot or do not want to afford the current prices of the Air range.
This access model would be geared towards ease of use, with a practical approach and less "premium" in hardwareIn other words, it would retain macOS, integration with the rest of the brand's products, and a refined design, but accepting cuts in screen size, ports, and maximum power to keep the final price down.
Within the company's planned launch schedule for 2026, this low-cost laptop appears alongside other new products. MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with M5 series chipsRefreshed entry-level iPads and even more affordable iPhones. In that context, the new MacBook would act as the "little brother" of the family, without aspiring to replace the mid-range and high-end models.
For Apple, cover more price points in their computer catalog It is a way to reach audiences that are currently eluding them, especially students, educational centers and small businesses in Spain and Europe that look at the budget before the brand.
Size and screen: around 13 inches and LCD technology
Leaks from firms like TrendForce suggest that the new team will have a screen of about 12,9 to 13 inchesIt's slightly smaller than the current MacBook Air's 13,6-inch screen. This format is a good fit for those looking for a lightweight laptop that's easy to carry in a backpack or bag and comfortable for working for hours without needing a huge screen.
That reduced size would be combined with a compact design and contained bezelsThis would allow the device to maintain a similar level of portability to older 12-inch MacBooks, but with a slightly larger screen. This way, more usable screen space is gained without significantly increasing weight or volume.
To contain costs, the company would forgo more advanced technologies such as Mini-LED, OLED, or ProMotion. The strategy would focus on a conventional LCD screen similar to that of entry-level iPadsSufficient for office work, browsing and multimedia content, but without luxuries such as very high refresh rates or blacks as deep as on the most expensive screens.
This approach fits with the product philosophy: reserve the best panels for the MacBook Air and Pro And at the same time, it offers a capable panel in a much more affordable laptop. For typical use in this segment—online classes, cloud-based work, streaming videos—the LCD panel performs flawlessly.
There is also talk of the design foregoing extreme ultra-thin bezels or solutions like the camera notch of the most recent laptops, opting instead for a It's a slightly more classic frame that reduces production costs and simplifies camera integration..
A18 Pro chip: iPhone heart inside a cheap MacBook
The most striking aspect of the project is the processor. Instead of using an M-series chip, Apple would use a A18 Pro chip, the same one that will equip the iPhone 16 Pro rangeadapted to work with macOS. It would be the first time in years that a modern Mac has so directly used a SoC originally designed for the iPhone.
Manufactured using an advanced process 3 nanometer second generationThe A18 Pro promises a very interesting balance between performance and efficiency. Preliminary benchmarks from analysts indicate that, in single-core tasks, it can approach the performance of recent-generation M-series chips and easily outperform low-power Intel processors used in thin laptops from a few years ago.
In multi-core performance, the forecasts place it superior to the older MacBooks with Intel Core Y-series processors And it performs at levels close to the Apple M1 in certain scenarios, without trying to compete with the more powerful M-series laptops designed for heavy professional tasks. In everyday use, this translates to a device more than capable of handling email, browsing with multiple tabs, office applications, video calls, and some light editing.
Another key aspect is energy efficiency: coming from the iPhone world, the A18 Pro is designed to operate with very low power consumption. That should allow ample autonomy and a simple cooling system, presumably without the need for large fans or overly complex solutions, keeping noise and temperatures under control.
Regarding memory, the most repeated rumors speak of starting configurations with 8 GB of unified memorySufficient for the type of user this budget MacBook is aimed at. Storage capacities would be modest—keeping in mind those who rely on cloud services—to further reduce the final cost.
Apple Intelligence and mobile apps on an entry-level laptop
In addition to raw performance, the A18 Pro would come with a next-generation neural engine compatible with Apple IntelligenceThis is the suite of artificial intelligence features that Apple is rolling out to macOS, iOS, and other operating systems. This would open the door to using features like automatic text summarization, advanced writing assistance, and audio transcription on this MacBook.
Sharing an architecture with the iPhone and iPad chips will make it easier for the device to run many mobile applications natively, including productivity apps and adapted games, always within the limitations of a laptop geared towards light tasks.
For those who currently use an iPad with a keyboard as their primary computer, this model could become a natural alternative with full macOSoffering greater software flexibility, better window management, and compatibility with traditional desktop tools without breaking the budget.
However, everything suggests that it won't be a device designed for heavy workloads such as professional video editing, advanced 3D, or large photo libraries. The playing field will be for basic daily use and some leeway for light creative tasksalways within the limits of a mobile chip.
In that sense, the experience might be more reminiscent of a "supercharged iPad with macOS" than a stripped-down MacBook Pro, something that for many users will be more than enoughespecially in educational and light office environments.
Simpler design, fewer ports, and a practical approach
To further reduce the price, the laptop is expected to forgo some of the features of the Air and Pro ranges. There is talk of a design less obsessed with extreme thicknessThis reduces manufacturing costs and leaves more internal space for the battery and simple components.
In terms of physical connectivity, leaks point to a clear reduction in the number of portsSome sources mention the possibility of a single USB-C port, although other reports consider this unrealistic and advocate for two USB-C ports as a reasonable balance between functionality and cost.
Features like Thunderbolt might be left out, reserved for higher-end models. Also MagSafe is in doubtIncluding it increases the cost of the equipment, so it wouldn't be surprising if the charging were entirely handled by USB-C, something already common in many laptops from other manufacturers.
The sound system and microphones will likely be more modest than those of the MacBook Air and Pro, as will the number of speakers. The priority will be to offer a balanced package for video calls, online classes and basic content consumptionwithout pursuing a high-end audiovisual experience.
Despite these cutbacks, everything indicates that Apple will maintain two defining characteristics of its laptops: a good keyboard and a high-quality trackpadThese are key elements in the daily user experience and are not usually where the company cuts corners, even in more affordable products.
Colors, materials, and target audience
Some analysts suggest that this cheaper MacBook could be visually different from the Air with slightly brighter colors and a more youthful feel, following the trend already seen in certain iMacs and iPads aimed at students.
There has also been speculation about the possibility of combining aluminum with certain plastic elements in specific areas of the chassis, something that would help reduce costs and weight without sacrificing a solid structure. This wouldn't be an unusual step considering that other Apple products have combined materials to balance price and design.
With these aesthetic choices, the brand would try to to prevent the laptop from being perceived simply as "the cheap Mac" and give it a certain personality of its own within the range, something important for students and young users who value both design and technical specifications.
In principle, the colors and variations launched in the United States should also arrive in Europe and, by extension, the Spanish marketalthough distribution could be staggered according to channels and demand.
The user profile this team is targeting is quite clear: high school and university students, families looking for a first MacEducational institutions that buy in bulk and workers who need a reliable laptop for simple tasks without approaching the prices of a MacBook Air or Pro.
Expected price: below the MacBook Air and in competition with Chromebooks
The big question is how much this MacBook with the A18 Pro chip will cost, but the leaks agree on the general idea: it will be the most affordable Mac laptop in recent yearsIn the United States, the most frequently repeated price ranges clearly place it below the $999 of the MacBook Air.
Several reports mention an approximate range between 599 and 799 dollars For the base model, while others broaden the range, placing it between $600 and $800 depending on the configuration. In any case, the intention is to clearly differentiate itself from the Air and compete in a market heavily populated by Chromebooks and budget Windows laptops.
Translated to Europe, and taking into account taxes and market differences, it wouldn't be surprising to see entry prices that range around 700 to 900 eurosIn Spain, estimates suggest a price below the €1.099 mark that the cheapest MacBook Air usually sets, bringing it closer to budgets more common among students and individuals.
This positioning would allow Apple to compete head-to-head with lightweight mid-range laptops that today dominate the shelves of large stores and online shops, many of them with Windows or ChromeOS and aggressive prices.
However, while the new MacBook will be cheaper than the Air, it will likely still be priced higher than the most basic laptops on the market. Apple's strategy is to offer a more polished user experience and better integration with its ecosystem in exchange for paying more than for a very low-end device.
Impact for Spain and Europe: education and the first Mac
If the expected deadlines are met, the arrival of this cheap MacBook with the A18 Pro chip in the first half of 2026 This would fit perfectly with the educational and equipment renewal campaigns that many European schools carry out in preparation for the new school year.
In Spain, where price is one of the biggest barriers to entering the Mac world, a A more affordable laptop can significantly change the landscape.Educational centers, public administrations and universities could start including it in their tenders and pilot projects, competing directly with Chromebooks and Windows laptops that until now have won on cost.
For individual users, this model is shaping up to be the ideal candidate for first Mac For those who want to try macOS without spending a fortune. It could also be interesting for freelancers and small businesses that do almost everything in the cloud and don't need the power of a MacBook Pro.
At a time when analysts predict Price increases in many laptops due to DRAM memory shortages and AI pressureThis move, which requires more RAM and storage, puts Apple in a unique position: launching a laptop with limited specifications, but capable enough to avoid losing ground in the lower end of the market.
If the roadmap is not delayed, spring 2026 should clear up all doubts and confirm to what extent this Cheap MacBook with A18 Pro chip It is capable of becoming the go-to option for those who, from Spain and the rest of Europe, have long been looking at Macs "from the sidelines" because of the price.
