Apple to launch $599 'cheap' MacBook with A18 chip

The new budget-friendly MacBook aims to expand Apple's reach into the affordable laptop market.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Apple is rumored to be announcing a new 'cheap' MacBook at its upcoming March 4 event in New York. The laptop is expected to feature the A18 chip found in the iPhone 16 Pro, allowing Apple to keep costs low by using more modest hardware components like a less premium display and smaller form factor. The new MacBook is rumored to be priced around $599, positioning it well below the current MacBook Air lineup and targeting budget-conscious consumers, students, and those looking for a portable travel device.

Why it matters

Apple's entrance into the budget laptop market would be a significant shift for the company, which has traditionally occupied the premium tier. This move aims to expand Apple's reach and capture market share in an area it has historically lacked, as consumers are becoming more budget-conscious amid economic conditions. The new affordable MacBook could offset the lack of major upgrades to Apple's core MacBook lineup this year.

The details

The new 'cheap' MacBook is expected to feature the A18 chip found in the iPhone 16 Pro, rather than the M-series processors used in current MacBooks. This will allow Apple to keep costs low, likely paired with more modest hardware components like a less premium display and smaller form factor. Rumors suggest the device will be priced around $599, undercutting the current MacBook Air lineup which starts at $749. While the A18 chip won't match the performance of M-series processors, it should be more than capable for everyday use cases targeted by affordable laptops.

  • Apple is set to make a series of product announcements at a 'special experience' event on March 4, 2026 in New York.

The players

Apple

An American technology company that designs, develops, and sells consumer electronics, computer software, and online services.

Mark Gurman

An Apple insider and author of Bloomberg's Power On newsletter, who is confident the new 'cheap' MacBook will be 'well under $1,000'.

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What they’re saying

“The A18 chip is a powerful piece of hardware, and although it doesn't quite match the performance of the M-series processors found in the MacBook Air and Pro, it's more than capable of handling everyday use cases for which affordable laptops are designed.”

— Kyle Kucharski, ZDNET Writer (ZDNET)

The takeaway

Apple's launch of a budget-friendly $599 MacBook represents a strategic shift for the company, as it aims to expand its reach into the affordable laptop market and capture a new demographic of budget-conscious consumers, students, and those seeking a portable travel device. This move could offset the lack of major upgrades to Apple's core MacBook lineup this year.