Apple is working on a low-cost Mac laptop powered by an iPhone chip that it plans to launch in the first half of 2026, according to Bloomberg. The laptop will also have a “a lower-end LCD display” and a screen size that’s “slightly below” the 13.6-inch screen on the current MacBook Air. The laptop will be sold for “well under $1,000,” Bloomberg reports, and the laptop’s price will “fall in a similar range” as the approximately $600 cost for an entry-level iPad and a Magic Keyboard Folio.
So far, laptops with Apple Silicon have used M-series chips. But Apple’s tests have found that the iPhone chip “can perform better than the Mac-optimized M1 used in laptops as recently as a few years ago,” Bloomberg says. The new laptop will have an “entirely new design” and will be aimed at more casual users, students, and businesses.
Earlier this year, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo similarly reported that Apple was developing a more affordable MacBook with an A-series chip. Kuo said that the laptop would be powered by the A18 Pro chip found in the iPhone 16 Pro lineup and would come in a range of colors including silver, blue, pink, and yellow.
The company has also “finished work” on a MacBook Air powered by its recently-introduced M5 chip that it plans to release early next year, Bloomberg reports. MacBook Pros with M5 Pro and M5 Max are in the works, too.Â
This sounds like an exciting development! A more affordable Mac laptop could open up new possibilities for users. It will be interesting to see how the performance of the iPhone chip translates to a laptop experience.
I agree, it really could broaden access to Apple’s ecosystem! Plus, using an iPhone chip might enhance the laptop’s efficiency and performance, similar to how the M1 chip transformed their other devices. It will be interesting to see how this combination impacts user experience.
Absolutely, it could make Apple’s technology more accessible to a wider audience. Additionally, utilizing an iPhone chip might improve battery efficiency, which would be a significant advantage for users on the go.
That’s a great point! A lower-cost Mac laptop could really attract students and budget-conscious professionals. It will be interesting to see how the performance of an iPhone chip holds up compared to traditional Mac processors.