Latest news with #A18Pro
Hans India
2 hours ago
- Hans India
Apple May Launch Budget-Friendly MacBook Powered by iPhone Chipset at Around ₹50,000
Apple is reportedly gearing up to shake up the laptop market with a new affordable MacBook, priced at nearly half the cost of its current entry-level models. According to a report from DigiTimes, the company is developing a budget-friendly MacBook powered by the A18 Pro chipset—the same processor used in the iPhone 16 Pro. The device is expected to launch by the end of 2025 or early 2026. If true, this would mark Apple's first serious attempt to directly enter the midrange laptop segment, an area it has largely avoided in the past. The device could be a game-changer for students, first-time buyers, and budget-conscious users who want access to Apple's ecosystem without spending close to ₹1 lakh. Expected Pricing and Features Industry insiders suggest that the upcoming MacBook could be priced at $599 (approx. ₹52,370) or $699 (approx. ₹61,113). This would make it the cheapest MacBook Apple has ever released. For comparison, the latest M4-powered MacBook Air in India currently starts at ₹99,990. The affordable MacBook is expected to feature a 12.9-inch display, slightly smaller than the 13.6-inch screen of the MacBook Air. Reports also indicate that Apple may add a playful twist with a variety of colour options, including blue, pink, silver, and yellow—echoing the strategy it previously used with iMacs and iPhones to appeal to younger buyers. Performance Expectations with the A18 Pro While some may view the use of an iPhone processor in a laptop as a compromise, benchmarks tell a different story. The A18 Pro is no slouch—in fact, it outperforms Apple's first M1 chip in single-core performance. On Geekbench tests, the M1 scored 2,368 in single-core performance, while the A18 Pro achieved 3,409, showing a 43% boost. In multi-core benchmarks, the two chips were nearly identical, with the M1 scoring 8,576 compared to the A18 Pro's 8,482. With Apple expected to fine-tune the A18 Pro specifically for macOS, users can expect solid day-to-day performance, smooth multitasking, and the long battery life Apple laptops are known for. Market Strategy and Timeline Reports suggest production of the new MacBook will begin in September 2025, followed by mass manufacturing in the subsequent months. This timeline makes a late 2025 launch likely, though it could also slip into early 2026. This isn't the first time rumors of a low-cost MacBook have surfaced. Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has previously claimed that Apple was working on a laptop aimed at emerging markets where price sensitivity plays a big role. For now, Apple hasn't officially confirmed the development. But if these reports hold true, the budget MacBook could redefine Apple's laptop strategy, offering a compelling balance of price, performance, and brand value.
India Today
6 hours ago
- India Today
Apple to launch budget-friendly MacBook with iPhone chip, expected price is around Rs 50,000: Details
Apple is set to make major inroads in the affordable PC market, according to reports. The company is said to be working on a new low-cost MacBook with an A-series iPhone chipset seemingly for budget-conscious buyers. According to DigiTimes, the alleged affordable MacBook will be powered by the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro. This is likely to bring down the cost of the device compared to other recent MacBooks with M-series A-series MacBook is expected to be priced at $599 (roughly Rs 52,370) or $699 (roughly Rs 61,113). This would make it the cheapest MacBook from the Cupertino giant. The latest generation M4 MacBook Air starts at Rs 99,990 in India. This would be the first time Apple would directly enter the midrange segment, if the report turns out to be true. Users often purchase older MacBook models on discounts, such as the original M1 MacBook. The low-cost MacBook will provide users with a latest generation device without breaking a entry-level device will have a smaller screen than the 13.6-inch MacBook Air, measuring 12.9 inches, the report mentions. This will give it a compact form factor while keeping costs low. It is expected to come in some vibrant colour options including blue, pink, silver and MacBook with A18 Pro performance expectationsOn the surface, using an iPhone chipset in a MacBook might seem like a downgrade. However, the A18 Pro is a powerful chipset which outperforms the M1 at least as far as benchmarks are concerned. On Geekbench, while the M1 has a score of 2,368 in single-core performance, the A18 Pro scores 3,409, an increase of 43 percent. In multi-core performance, the two chipsets are evenly matched. The M1 scores 8,576 and the A18 Pro scores 8,482. Apple is expected to optimise the A18 Pro for the MacBook, further improving performance. Users can expect the same benefits of the M-series devices, including long battery per the report, the production of the A-series MacBook is set to begin in September this year, with mass production expected in the coming months. This could lead to a launch at the end of this year or an early release in is not the first time Apple has been rumoured to be developing an affordable MacBook. Previously, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed that the tech giant was going to target emerging markets with a low-cost device.- Ends
Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Indian Express
A low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip is coming, starting at $599
For average consumers, especially students, the MacBook Air M4 remains the laptop of choice. Nothing really comes close to Apple's MacBook Air; however, the device, which starts at Rs 99,900 (or $999 in the US), isn't exactly affordable and therefore alienates many potential buyers. But Apple may have a solution to make the MacBook more accessible. DigiTimes, citing 'supply chain sources,' reports that the affordable MacBook will start at $699 (or Rs 61,113), or $599 (or Rs 52,370) with an education discount. If true, this would mark the first time the company has ever offered a MacBook for less than $999. In fact, the initial stage of production is reportedly scheduled to begin sometime next month, with full-scale manufacturing potentially underway by the end of the year. This isn't the first time we have heard that Apple is working on a low-cost MacBook. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously claimed that Cupertino has been developing a budget MacBook designed specifically for developing markets. The entry-level notebook will feature a 12.9-inch screen, slightly smaller than the 13.6-inch MacBook Air. Interestingly, the laptop will not use an M-series chip but will instead be powered by the A18 Pro, the same chip found in the iPhone 16 Pro. This means that while an A18 Pro MacBook will be fast and even support Apple Intelligence, it will still be slower compared to the M4 MacBook Air. The $599 MacBook will be available in blue, pink, silver, and yellow colour options, reminiscent of the iBook G3, which was also offered in fun, candy-like colours. A low-cost MacBook has been rumoured for years, but Apple has never brought it to market, possibly due to concerns that it could cannibalise iPad sales. The $599 MacBook is also likely to impact MacBook Air sales, especially in markets like India, where consumers will have an additional option to choose from: one that runs a full-fledged version of macOS. However, it's likely that Apple will use different casing materials or colours to differentiate it. All said and done, the idea behind the $599 MacBook could be aimed at capturing some market share from Windows laptops. With Windows 10 reaching end-of-support in October this year, many consumers are expected to purchase new notebooks. If Apple is able to offer a $599 MacBook, it could prove beneficial for Cupertino. In recent quarters, Apple's growth has been the highest among its key competitors. According to IDC, Cupertino was the fourth biggest PC vendor in the world in Q2 2025, with a market share of 9.1 per cent.
Forbes
14 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Will We See Apple Break This MacBook Taboo?
Apple has always relied on the prestige of the MacBook name to help drive sales and keep prices high. Still, the current plans for a new MacBook suggest that Apple is preparing to break one of its long-standing traditions. This could be the first MacBook to drop the Apple Store sticker price below $999. Inside The Budget MacBook This new MacBook has one significant difference that we currently know about. Rather than one of the M-seres Apple Silicon chipsets—which every ARM-based MacBook has used since Apple Silicon launched in 2020—Tim Cook and his team will launch this MacBook with the A18 Pro chipset. This is expected to debut in the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max smartphones set for a September release. Someone looking for a MacBoko that can run all of the developer tools, edit 4K video, and work in hefty multimedia will already be invested in a more powerful MacBook. Still, the goal here is not to capture that market. The goal is to take on the mid-range Windows laptops and Chromebooks. As the iPad market shows, the A17 Pro is more than capable of lighter computing, and certainly the email answering, web browsing, and office working that is comfortable on a laptop or Chromebook will be just as comfortable running on an Axx MacBook rather than an Mxx model. The Budget MacBook Price The biggest attraction to consumers is going to be the price. Details from the supply chain suggest the entry-level model will be priced between $599 and $699. That's significantly below the $999 that the Apple Store has set out as the baseline MacBook price in the recent past. Note that this is the Apple Store price. Apple is not averse to offering discounts, it just doesn't push them on the ront page. The educational discount is a long-running offer across a wide range of products. In the case of the MacBook Air it cuts $100 off the price, giving a headline $899 price for students picking up a new macOS laptop. Then you have the curious case of Walmart. The retail chain has been selling new M1-powered MacBook Airs at a hefty discount. The MacBooks arrived in March 2024 for $699, with a subsequent cut to $649 in March 2024. These aren't available through the Apple Store or this is a Walmart exclusive. Yet they are new laptops, manufactured and supported by Apple. What does Apple get out of the deal? Rather a lot of consumer data on what people use low-specced MacBooks for in 2025, and how much impact the price has on the profile of the buyers. All of which have surely fed back into the Axx MacBook project. The Budget MacBook Launch Date The key component to consider when discussing any potential release date is the chipset. The Apple silicon A18 Pro is going to be in high demand as it will be powering both the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Apple will want to focus on that inventory in the short term as production lines come up to speed to feed the initial demand. As that calms down, the capacity for an A18 Pro MacBook will become available. The supply chain points to a late 2025 release date, although Apple may choose to build up inventory and hold until early 2026. The latter would give this new MacBook a clear run at the market, and those looking to buy a MacBook as a holiday gift would likely stick with the current $999 options. Apple will also look to balance out the next M5-powered MacBook laptops. It's becoming more apparent that the MacBook Air is being left to the end of a chip release cycle, so an M5 MacBook Air may not arrive until late 2026, a delay that will be minimized in the eyes of consumers by the cheaper MacBook. The M5 MacBook Pro models will capture the high ground in 2025, the new budget MacBook will cover the lower steps of the portfolio, and the MacBook Air can run shortstop and pick up anything left at the end of the year. If Apple is ready to drop below the $999 sticker in the Apple Store. Now read the latest budget MacBook thoughts, iPhone leaks, and macOS changes in Forbes' weekly Apple news digest...
India Today
4 days ago
- Business
- India Today
iPhone 16 Pro price drops by Rs 22,000
iPhone 16 Pro price drops by Rs 22,000 Unnati Gusain The iPhone 16 Pro is selling at a big discount on Flipkart. The e-commerce website is selling the phone at a discount of Rs 22,000. Flipkart is offering the iPhone 16 Pro at Rs 1,04,900 without any conditions. It was launched at Rs 1,19,900. Additionally, there is also up to Rs 4,000 discount on the Flipkart Axis credit card. This will further reduce the price of the phone, making the deal more attractive. If you like to opt for EMI, the ICICI Credit Card is offering Rs 5,000 discount. You can also choose to exchange your old device and get Rs 3,000 additional discount. This means, adding all discounts and offers, you can get the iPhone 16 Pro at as low as Rs 99,900. It is noteworthy that this price excludes the exchanged device value. Powered by the A18 Pro chip with a 6-core GPU, the iPhone 16 Pro boasts 20% faster performance, 15% faster speeds, and improved energy efficiency. Camera upgrades include a 48MP fusion camera with a second-gen quad-pixel sensor, 48MP ultra-wide with autofocus, and a 5x telephoto lens for better zoom. The iPhone 16 Pro can offer you slightly longer battery life compared to the iPhone 15 Pro unit because this one has a slightly bigger battery under the hood. The iPhone 16 Pro supports Apple Intelligence and ProRes video recording, with USB 3 speeds for faster data transfer. You don't get a charger in the retail box, but you can use an Android charger to top up the battery.
