Apple rumored to launch 12.9-inch MacBook this year at a price that will shock you - here are the details

Time of India

a day ago

Apple budget MacBook 2025: Apple is planning a new, affordable MacBook. The price may range from $599 to $699. It could feature a 12.9-inch display and an ultra-thin design. The laptop might use the A18 Pro chip. Mass production of components may start in late 2025. The launch is expected in late 2025 or early 2026. This could significantly boost MacBook sales.
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Will Apple Launch Affordable 12.9-Inch MacBook by End of 2025
New MacBook Starting Price Could Be a Game-Changer: $599 to $699
Powered by iPhone Chip: First Mac with A18 Pro Processor
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Latest MacBook Mass Production Starting Soon
Slightly Smaller Screen, Ultra-Thin Design, Colorful Finishes
Potential to Boost Apple's MacBook Sales by 40%
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Apple might be on the verge of surprising fans with something nobody saw coming, a new MacBook that's both bigger in size and smaller in price, as per a report.According to a new report by DigiTimes, Apple is preparing to launch a more affordable MacBook , potentially by the end of this year.The speculated starting price is expected to be between $599 and $699, which is a significant drop from the current 13-inch MacBook Air, as it starts at $999 in the US or can be $899 with Apple's student discount, as reported by Macrumors.ALSO READ: iPhone 17 Pro Max leak: 3 game-changing upgrades Apple fans can't ignore What sets this MacBook apart isn't just the price, it's what's inside. This new 12.9-inch laptop is expected to be powered by the A18 Pro chip, the same processor that debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year, according to the report.If the speculation is true, this would mark the first time Apple has used an iPhone chip in a Mac, as per the Macrumors report. Until now, all Apple Silicon Macs have relied on M-series chips, which are known for more cores and higher performance, along with greater memory capacity, and improved external display support, according to the report.Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo initially reported the development of this more affordable MacBook in June, he predicted that this model would enter mass production late in the fourth quarter of this year or early in the first quarter of 2026, as per the Macrumors report.Now, DigiTimes has backed that timeline, adding that some components are expected to enter mass production by the end of Q3 2025, according to the report. If all goes smoothly, full assembly could begin before the end of the year, potentially putting the device on store shelves in late 2025 or early 2026, which is similar to Kuo's launch estimation, as reported by Macrumors.ALSO READ: 10 must-change iOS 18.6 settings that'll make your iPhone feel like day one again The report highlighted that the new MacBook will feature a 12.9-inch display, which is slightly smaller than the 13.6-inch screen on the current MacBook Air, according to Macrumors. Apple is expected to keep the design ultra-thin and lightweight, having a minimalist MacBook design, as per the report.Kuo also hinted that the more-affordable MacBook could come in colorful finishes, possibly including Silver, Blue, Pink, and Yellow, as per the Macrumors report.ALSO READ: As the July jobs report paints a grim picture, 114 companies plan layoffs in August - is yours on the list? There's one potential challenge that the A18 Pro chip doesn't support Thunderbolt, according to the rpeort. That means the laptop will likely come with standard USB-C ports instead, as per the Macrumors report. While it's a step down from what power users may need, most everyday users will find it more than enough, according to the report.Market estimates suggest Apple could ship between 5 million and 7 million units of this new low-cost MacBook model annually, potentially boosting total MacBook sales by up to 40%, reported Macrumors.Yes, it's rumored to start between $599 and $699, which is much more affordable than the current $999 starting price of the MacBook Air, as per the report by Macrumors.The laptop will likely use the A18 Pro chip, the same processor found in the iPhone 16 Pro, as per the report by Macrumors.