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Apple Readies $599 Entry-Level MacBook Powered by A18 Pro

Supply-chain signals show mass production beginning end-Q3 with final assembly in Q4 ahead of a planned late-2025 rollout

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© Kyle Barr / Gizmodo

Overview

  • By aiming for a sub-$700 entry price point, the device would position Apple to challenge Chromebooks and budget Windows laptops in education and casual markets.
  • The 12.9-inch form factor is expected to be ultra-thin and lightweight, slotting below the MacBook Air with potential colorful finishes for students.
  • Reports say the laptop will be powered by an A18 Pro chip, marking the first A-series processor in a Mac but likely lacking Thunderbolt support and higher-end RAM and external display capabilities.
  • Supply-chain sources name Quanta Computer for final assembly and indicate component mass production from the end of Q3 through Q4 for a late-2025 or early-2026 debut.
  • Analysts project annual shipments of 5–7 million units that could boost MacBook volumes by roughly 30–40%, although Apple has not confirmed the product or its specifications.