Apple Plans to Launch a 599 USD Budget MacBook by 2026

Apple is preparing to disrupt the laptop industry with a new and affordable MacBook dirt cheap at only 599 dollars targeted to students and buyers seeking low-end and cost-effective products.

Report suggests that the production will start towards the end of 2025 and the laptops are predicted to be in the stores by the first quarter of 2026.

It is a major shift of strategy towards Apple, which sells premium-priced gadgets such as the MacBook Air starting at 999 dollars.

The new MacBook is expected to sport a 12.9-inch display panel slightly less than that of the MacBook Air, 13.6 inches, though less in terms of resolution and brightness to allow it to remain cheaper.

It is anticipated that this will be on the A18 Pro chip as seen in the iPhone 16 Pro. This chip should be able to complete daily tasks such as browsing, school work and light photo editing with ease, and will also support Apple AI features, which Apple is calling Apple Intelligence.

• Apple to Launch $599 Budget MacBook in 2026, Targeting Students and Affordable Laptop Market
• Rumored 12.9-Inch Apple MacBook with A18 Pro Chip Could Challenge Chromebooks in 2026
• Apple’s $599 MacBook to Offer AI Features, Fun Colors, and Portability for Budget Buyers

The laptop will come in fun colors like pink, blue, and yellow, and it’s said to be lighter than the 2.7-pound MacBook Air, making it super portable. Details on RAM and storage are still under wraps, but rumors point to a base model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, though many hope for a 256GB option. Priced at $599 for students and possibly $699 for everyone else, this MacBook could give Chromebooks and budget Windows laptops a run for their money, especially in schools.

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This move might also stir things up within Apple’s own lineup, as the new MacBook could rival the $36,900 11-inch iPad with an A16 chip by offering a full laptop experience at a similar price. Industry experts see this as Apple’s way of making its ecosystem more affordable while keeping its signature quality and macOS experience. If the rumors hold true, this budget MacBook could be a game-changer in 2026, bringing Apple’s tech to more people than ever before.