According to Wccftech, Apple’s first low-cost MacBook is targeting a launch in the first half of 2026 and is already in early production and active testing. The device represents a strategic shift for Apple away from its premium-only focus and aims to compete directly with Chromebooks and Windows-based budget laptops. The base model is expected to be priced between $599 and $699, significantly below the current $999 M4 MacBook Air. Apple has already experimented with budget pricing by discounting the M1 MacBook Air below $700 at Walmart. The timing also positions Apple to capture Windows 10 customers as Microsoft ends official support for the operating system.
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Why This Changes Everything
Here’s the thing: Apple has always been the luxury car dealer of computing. They make beautiful, expensive machines and let everyone else fight over the budget market. But the education sector has been dominated by Chromebooks for years, and Apple basically ceded that entire territory. Now they’re coming for it.
And honestly, it’s about time. When you see schools and families buying $200 Chromebooks because they can’t afford $1,000 MacBooks, that’s a massive market Apple has been ignoring. The fact that they’re already in early production for a 2026 launch tells you how serious they are about this shift.
The Windows 10 Gold Rush
Microsoft ending support for Windows 10 creates the perfect storm for Apple. We’re talking about millions of users who need to upgrade their hardware anyway. Do they buy another Windows machine, or do they finally try that Apple ecosystem they’ve heard so much about?
At $599-$699, Apple suddenly becomes competitive in a way they haven’t been in decades. That price point puts them right in the sweet spot for people who want quality but can’t justify premium pricing. It’s basically the same strategy that worked incredibly well with the iPhone SE – take proven internal components, put them in a more affordable package, and watch the sales roll in.
What We’ll Probably See
Don’t expect cutting-edge design here. Apple will likely reuse existing chassis designs and focus on cost-effective components. Maybe we’ll see the return of the classic MacBook Air design with M-series chips that are a generation or two behind current offerings. They’ve already tested this approach with the M1 MacBook Air discounts at Walmart, and it clearly worked well enough to greenlight a dedicated product.
The bigger question is whether Apple can maintain their famous profit margins while hitting these price points. My guess? They’ll make up for it in volume and ecosystem lock-in. Get someone their first MacBook at $699, and you’ve probably just gained a customer for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and services. That’s where the real money is anyway.
Shaking Up the Budget Market
Chromebook manufacturers should be sweating. Apple entering the sub-$700 laptop space is like a luxury hotel chain suddenly opening budget motels. They bring brand prestige, build quality, and that seamless ecosystem that Google still can’t quite match with Chromebooks.
But here’s my concern: can Apple actually deliver a compelling product at this price? Their definition of “budget” might still feel premium-priced to many families. And will they strip out so many features that it becomes just another cheap laptop with an Apple logo? The balancing act between cost-cutting and maintaining the Apple experience will make or break this entire initiative.
