Affordable MacBook: Apple Prepares a $600 Model for 2026
Apple may soon shake up its premium brand image with an unexpected offering: an affordable MacBook priced around $600, according to a new report by Mark Gurman at Bloomberg.
This model, scheduled for the first half of 2026, aims to target students, casual users, and budget-conscious businesses, directly competing with Chromebooks and entry-level Windows PCs.
A MacBook with an A-Series Chip, Not M-Series
In contrast to recent MacBooks, this model—codenamed J700—will not use an M-series chip (like the M2, M3, or M5) but instead will employ an A-series chip derived from the iPhone. According to Bloomberg, the prototypes being tested already demonstrate better performance than the M1 released in 2020.
In simple terms, this “A-chip” MacBook won’t be a powerhouse, but it will be faster than the older M1 MacBook Air, while consuming much less power.
The likely basis for the processor would be the A18 Pro, the same as that found in the iPhone 16 Pro.
A Completely New Yet Simplified Design
Apple is expected to introduce a redesigned chassis for this model, with some compromises intended to keep costs low:
- LCD display instead of a mini-LED or OLED panel,
- Slightly smaller than 13.6 inches,
- Lighter materials, possibly in more colors (silver, blue, pink, yellow according to Ming-Chi Kuo),
- Fewer ports, but compatibility with MagSafe and USB-C accessories.
Despite these adjustments, Bloomberg indicates that it will represent a completely new design, rather than a simple variation of the current MacBook Air.
A Clear Target: Education and Office Use
The “eco” MacBook will be designed for lighter tasks: web browsing, office work, basic photo editing or video editing, and media streaming.
Apple aims to attract users considering a Chromebook or an iPad + keyboard combo—both costing around $600, matching the price positioning of this future MacBook.
The goal is to penetrate the educational market and public institutions, where Apple has lost ground to Google and Microsoft.
A Risky but Strategic Bet
At this price point, Apple is entering a segment where it has never been truly present. However, the brand does not seem to be looking to compete with $250 Chromebooks—the aim is not to be “the cheapest,” but to offer the macOS experience at an accessible price.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy:
- Apple’s M5 chips will equip MacBook Airs from early 2026, followed by MacBook Pro M5 Pro/M5 Max.
- Apple is looking to diversify its lineup to meet the growing demand for more affordable machines in a declining PC market.
- The end of Windows 10 support in 2025 could push some users to migrate to macOS instead of Windows 11.
With this future $600 model, Apple is poised to break a 20-year tradition: offering a Mac at an accessible price point. A bold wager: a MacBook for the masses—without sacrificing the Apple DNA.
