Overview

• Amazon dropped the 13‑inch M4 MacBook Air to $799 and took $200 off most configurations, with the 15‑inch model starting at $999 as of Sept. 15.
• Amazon restored $300 discounts on the most affordable M4 MacBook Pro configurations on Sept. 16, bringing the entry 16GB/512GB model to $1,299.
• Industry reporting points to an early‑2026 launch for MacBook Pro models with new M5‑series chips in what is described as a largely internal refresh, with some outlets also expecting an M5 MacBook Air in the same window.
• A lower‑cost MacBook remains unconfirmed, with a Mac17,1 identifier and supply‑chain chatter suggesting an A‑series chip could be used, which would likely mean no Thunderbolt and limited external‑display support; DigiTimes cites a possible Q1 2026 debut following late‑2025 manufacturing.
• Apple’s A19 Pro, introduced with iPhone 17 Pro, shows single‑core performance in the same range as M4 laptops according to reported benchmarks, fueling speculation it could power a budget MacBook.