New entry-level MacBook: Fresh details from the supply chain
Apple is reportedly planning to unveil a new budget MacBook next week. Further hardware leaks have now surfaced.
MacBook, an older Air here.
(Image: Apple)
For the first time in years, Apple is apparently planning to introduce a new portable Mac line: According to informed circles, the company wants to bring an entry-level notebook to market. The hardware is said to be a spiritual successor to the 12-inch MacBook with a fanless Intel chip, discontinued in 2019, but reportedly priced below it. However, this will involve some compromises. More details about these have now become known – in the form of several leaks from China and Taiwan. If the new series actually arrives, an announcement is expected next week.
iPhone chip is not the only cost-saving measure
The new MacBook, whose exact designation is still unknown, is said to be the first Mac intended for end customers that is not equipped with an M-chip. Instead, Apple plans to install an A-SoC from the iPhone series. This is the A18 Pro from the iPhone 16 Pro from 2024, possibly in a binned form, meaning with fewer GPU cores.
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According to leaks available to Macrumors, Apple is only using 8 GB of RAM. Whether this means there will be no Apple Intelligence remains unclear. The display – presumably 12.9 inches – comes with lower maximum brightness, reportedly less than 500 candelas. True Tone, a sensor integrated by Apple for years to adjust color temperature, is reportedly missing. The largest SSD Apple will offer is said to be only 512 GB – which would be unfortunate. It is even conceivable that Apple will offer an introductory model with only 128 GB, but apparently only for educational institutions. 256 GB would be the standard size. The SSD throughput is expected to be lower than on MacBook Pro and MacBook Air due to the use of a single NAND chip.
No N1, only USB-C and the question of price
Further missing features concern charging (Fast Charging not available), the keyboard (apparently no backlight), and the jack connector (no support for high-impedance headphones). For WLAN and Bluetooth, Apple is reportedly not using its own N1 chip, which combines Wi-Fi 7, Thread, and Bluetooth 6. Instead, the wireless unit is said to come from MediaTek. How many ports the device has is still unclear – a return to pure USB-C ports, possibly only two or three, is conceivable.
The entry-level MacBook is to be offered in several colors, including yellow, green, and blue, possibly also pink. The price is reportedly under 800 US dollars (excluding sales tax). According to the electronics trade publication DigiTimes, published in Taiwan, production of the devices started in the first quarter of 2026. The main manufacturer is Quanta. It is unclear whether Apple will actually be able to maintain the planned low price considering DRAM and NAND inflation, it was further stated.
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