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Apple Said to Plan Budget MacBook for 2026 With iPhone-Class A18 Pro Chip

Supply-chain and analyst reports point to a lower-cost laptop using an iPhone-class processor to emphasize efficiency.

Overview

  • TrendForce, cited by Hindustan Times, reports Apple is exploring a compact MacBook positioned below the MacBook Air and targeting a 2026 launch window.
  • The model is rumored to run on an A18 Pro variant—the chip family used in iPhone 16 Pro—which could enable fanless operation and longer battery life.
  • Reports disagree on display size, with TrendForce pointing to 12.9 inches and Forbes describing a 12-inch design.
  • Forbes frames the device as the entry in a 2026 “good, better, best” lineup beneath M5-based MacBook Air and higher-end M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro models.
  • Pricing remains unconfirmed, though analysis suggests Apple could aim below current Air pricing, and Apple has not commented on the reports.