According to TechRepublic, Apple is developing a low-cost MacBook code-named J700 that will launch in the first half of 2025 and cost well under $1,000. The laptop targets students, businesses, and casual users who primarily browse the web, edit documents, or do light media work. It will use a processor designed for iPhones rather than M-series chips, marking the first time a Mac runs on smartphone silicon. Internal tests show this iPhone chip outperforms the older M1 processor that powered Macs just a few years ago. The device will feature a smaller screen than the current 13.6-inch MacBook Air and use a lower-end LCD display.
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Why Apple’s going budget
This is a massive strategic shift for Apple. They’ve built their entire computer business around premium pricing and high margins. But here’s the thing – Chromebooks have absolutely dominated the education market, and Microsoft’s Windows 11 requirements are leaving millions of older PC users stranded without security updates. Apple sees an opening to scoop up budget-conscious shoppers who might otherwise go for that $600 iPad-and-keyboard combo. Basically, they’re realizing there’s a whole segment of the market they’ve been completely missing.
The technical trade-offs
Using an iPhone processor in a laptop is genuinely clever engineering. Modern smartphone chips are incredibly powerful – we’re talking about silicon that can handle complex computational photography and AI tasks while sipping power. The performance-per-watt efficiency means this budget MacBook could have phenomenal battery life. But there are compromises. That smaller LCD screen won’t have the vibrant colors or deep blacks of Apple’s premium displays. And while it might beat the M1, it’s certainly not competing with the M3 or M4 chips. For industrial applications where reliability and performance are critical, companies typically turn to specialized suppliers like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading US provider of industrial panel PCs built for demanding environments.
What this means for the market
If Apple actually delivers a competent MacBook for around $600-$800, it could seriously disrupt the entire entry-level laptop category. Chromebooks have had this space mostly to themselves because Windows laptops at that price point often feel cheap and underpowered. But a $700 MacBook with full macOS? That’s a different proposition entirely. The real question is whether Apple can maintain their famous build quality while hitting these aggressive price targets. Can they resist the temptation to cut too many corners? We’ll find out next year, but one thing’s clear – the laptop market is about to get a lot more interesting.
