Apple set to disrupt budget laptop market with $599 MacBook

Apple’s 12-inch Apple’s MacBook (2015)
Apple is reportedly gearing up to launch a game-changing, low-cost MacBook priced at $599, targeting the budget-conscious consumer and aiming to compete directly with Chromebooks and other affordable laptops. According to a recent report from DigiTimes, Apple is preparing to enter mass production of select components for this new MacBook as early as the third quarter of 2025, with a potential launch by late 2025 or early 2026.
A New Era for Affordable Macs
The rumored MacBook, potentially reviving the standalone “MacBook” branding or dubbed the “MacBook SE” by some sources, is designed to make Apple’s ecosystem more accessible to students, casual users, and first-time Mac buyers. With a starting price rumored as low as $599 9 — potentially dropping to as low as $549 with educational discounts — this laptop would be Apple’s most affordable to date, undercutting the current 13-inch MacBook Air, which starts at $999 (or $899 for students).
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-known source for Apple predictions, first revealed plans for this budget-friendly MacBook in June 2025, stating it would feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, the same processor powering the iPhone 16 Pro series. However, DigiTimes reports that the laptop will sport a slightly smaller 12.9-inch display, making it more compact than the MacBook Air’s 13.6-inch screen. This size reduction, combined with cost-saving measures, could help Apple achieve the aggressive price point while maintaining its signature design quality.
Powered by A18 Pro Chip
A notable feature of this MacBook is its use of the A18 Pro chip, a departure from the M-series chips used in Apple’s current Mac lineup. The A18 Pro, built on a 3nm architecture, offers single-core performance comparable to the M3 chip and multi-core performance slightly below the M1, making it well-suited for everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and media streaming. While it lacks Thunderbolt support, relying instead on standard USB-C ports, the chip’s energy efficiency promises impressive, likely record, battery life, a critical feature for students and professionals on the go.
The MacBook is expected to come with 8GB of RAM, sufficient for multitasking and running Apple Intelligence features, with a possible 16GB option. Storage is likely to start at 256GB, aligning with Apple’s other MacBook offerings. The use of an iPhone-derived chip is a strategic move to reduce costs, but it has sparked debate about whether the MacBook will deliver the performance expected from Apple’s laptops. Critics note that while the A18 Pro is powerful, it likely will match the multi-core capabilities of M-series chips for more demanding tasks like video editing or 3D modeling (but Apple already makes MacBook Air and Pro models for users who perform those tasks).
Design and Features: Familiar Yet Frugal
The low-cost MacBook is expected to borrow design cues from the pre-M2 MacBook Air or the discontinued 12-inch MacBook, featuring a slim, lightweight aluminum chassis—likely avoiding plastic to align with Apple’s carbon-neutral goals. Available in Silver, Blue, Pink, and Yellow, it aims to appeal to a younger demographic with vibrant color options similar to Apple’s entry-level iPad. However, to hit the $599 price point, Apple may make concessions, such as including only one USB-C port, omitting Touch ID, or even excluding a built-in webcam in favor of promoting Continuity Camera with an iPhone.
The display is rumored to be a 12.9-inch Liquid Retina or standard Retina panel, potentially forgoing the brighter, more advanced displays of the MacBook Air to cut costs. While this may disappoint some users, the trade-off could make the MacBook a compelling choice for those prioritizing affordability and portability.
Market Impact and Competition
Apple’s move to introduce a $599 MacBook is seen as a strategic response to its declining market share in the notebook market, which dropped from over 30% in May 2024 to under 20% in 2025. By targeting the budget segment, Apple aims to capture a new audience and boost Mac shipments by 30–40%, with projections estimating 5–7 million units sold annually for this model alone. This aggressive push could challenge competitors like Google’s Chromebooks and budget Windows laptops, which dominate the sub-$700 market.
Challenges and Questions
While the $599 price tag is enticing, some analysts question whether Apple can maintain its premium experience at this cost. Potential feature cuts, such as limited ports or the absence of Touch ID, could make the MacBook feel like a stripped-down version of its pricier siblings, potentially alienating users who expect more from the Apple brand. Additionally, the reliance on the A18 Pro chip raises concerns about performance for users accustomed to the power of M-series chips.
There’s also uncertainty about the final pricing. While DigiTimes and other sources cite $599–$699, some speculate that Apple might settle closer to $729–$849 to avoid cannibalizing sales of the MacBook Air. Educational discounts could further sweeten the deal, potentially bringing the price as low as $599 for students.
Looking Ahead
Production of the low-cost MacBook is expected to ramp up in Q3 2025, with final assembly at Quanta’s facilities in Q4, pointing to a release window between late 2025 and early 2026. If Apple delivers on this timeline, the MacBook could be a highlight of the 2025 holiday season or early 2026, perfectly timed to capture the student and budget markets.
MacDailyNews Take: It sounds like the perfect road Mac to us and, with Apple Silicon and much smaller display bezels, an improvement over our all-time favorite road Mac, the 11-inch MacBook Air!

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