A New MacBook With an A18 Pro is Coming Soon! Apple’s Cheapest Laptop Ever?
Apple is Targeting a New Audience With its Entry-Level MacBook
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A New MacBook With an A18 Pro is Coming Soon! Apple's Cheapest Laptop Ever? · Source: mundissima / Alamy Stock Photo
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is working on a new MacBook with an A18 Pro processor that will differ significantly from its existing products. Initial clues in Apple Intelligence’s code and analyst estimates suggest that an affordable MacBook with the iPhone’s flagship chip could be released in 2026. This model would appeal to new groups of buyers and further blur the line between iOS and macOS devices. The internal designation “Mac17,1” and the specific mention of the A18 Pro leave little doubt about the reliability of this information.
All About Apple’s Forthcoming MacBook With an A18 Pro
MacBook with A18 Pro: Will Apple Go Really Cheap in 2026?
Until now, Apple has exclusively used the M series in its MacBooks, which has more cores and faster memory connectivity than iPhone chips. Nevertheless, a MacBook with an A18 Pro in its current configuration seems to offer enough computing power for everyday tasks. In terms of performance, the A18 Pro is particularly close to the current M4 when comparing individual CPU cores. In multicore comparisons, the M series is naturally superior, but that does not seem to be a priority for the new model. Instead, the MacBook with the A18 Pro is intended to introduce a new entry-level category likely positioned well below the MacBook Air.
Rumors about a compact 13-inch display and colored case variants reminiscent of the iMac or earlier MacBook generations are intensifying. In addition to silver, models in blue, pink, and yellow are said to be in the works. Apple may be deliberately opting for a design language that distinguishes itself from the more professional look of the Air and Pro series – and that’s as it should be. It’s still unclear whether the display will be smaller than the MacBook Air’s. The A18 Pro’s performance data suggests it will rank just above an M1, which should be more than enough for many users’ everyday needs.
Apple Gets Serious About Chip Standardization
According to the latest information, the planned MacBook with the A18 Pro is scheduled to launch in the first half of 2026, with mass production possibly beginning in late 2025 or early 2026. Experts speculate that entry-level prices will range between $799 and $899, which could correspond to a price limit below €1,000 in Europe. This would close the price gap between iPads and the cheapest MacBooks. At the same time, one must consider how the company will impose technical restrictions without jeopardizing MacBook Air sales figures. One thing is certain: this new model will appeal not only to students or budget-conscious users, but also to anyone looking to get started with the macOS ecosystem.
Strategically, using an iPhone chip in a MacBook would be a bold move with far-reaching consequences. Apple would benefit from significantly lower production costs because the A18 Pro is already manufactured in large quantities for iPhones. On the other hand, this move could lead to greater standardization of chip platforms between iPhones, iPads, and Macs in the medium term. Apple Intelligence plays a particularly exciting role here: since the A18 Pro is optimized for AI functions, the new MacBook with an A18 Pro could offer features previously reserved for more expensive devices despite its affordable price.
MacBook with A18 Pro: Who Will Benefit From the New Apple Model?
A MacBook with an A18 Pro represents a new price point and a strategic realignment. While other manufacturers are trying to adapt mobile chips for notebooks, Apple is taking a different approach – from the inside out. The result could be a device that is simpler to build, cheaper to produce, and yet versatile. Whether this plan will work depends heavily on the device’s specific features, battery life, and limitations compared to the M series. Nevertheless, the idea of building a powerful notebook with smartphone technology is quintessentially Apple – pragmatic, integrated, and surprisingly logical.
For us musicians and music producers, such a MacBook will certainly provide more than enough power to work on complete audio and video productions on the go, in the studio, and even on stage. We are eagerly awaiting the final announcement.
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