Overview

• Reports indicate Apple is planning a budget MacBook with a $599–$699 price tag aimed at education and Chromebook markets.
• The 12.9-inch laptop would be the first Mac to use an A18 Pro chip, sacrificing Thunderbolt support for USB-C only to lower costs.
• Supply-chain sources say components enter mass production by Q3 2025, with Quanta finalizing assembly in Q4 for availability by late 2025 or early 2026.
• Rumored design includes an ultra-thin, lightweight chassis in colors like Silver, Blue, Pink, and Yellow, though RAM and storage configurations remain unconfirmed.
• Industry projections foresee annual shipments of 5–7 million units, potentially boosting Apple’s overall MacBook volume by up to 40%.