Apple is about to stir things up with a new budget Mac, designed to take on Chromebooks and all those entry-level Windows laptops.
Apple’s aiming it at students, businesses, budget-conscious buyers, and anyone who just wants a straightforward laptop for browsing, writing papers, or some light photo editing.
Bloomberg says this new machine, code-named J700, will be Apple’s first real budget laptop, with a price tag “well under $1000”. They’re shrinking the screen a bit, featuring a smaller LCD slightly below the MacBook Air’s 13.6-inch screen. What’s interesting is that it will be powered by an iPhone-class chip, a first for Apple’s Mac lineup.
Despite its mobile roots, early tests show it actually outperforms the M1 chip Apple used in Macs not too long ago. By using this new chip, cheaper parts, and a new approach, Apple’s hoping to get macOS into a wider audience and a lot more hands.
Right now, the new Mac is in the early stages of production overseas, and Apple’s planning to launch it in the first half of 2026. It will feature an entirely new design too, according to Bloomberg reports, rather than just using the existing MacBook Air chassis.
This is a big change for Apple. They’ve always focused on high-end, pricey hardware, but Chromebooks have pretty much taken over classrooms, and cheap Windows laptops are everywhere in schools. Apple appears ready to compete directly with them.
Apple just rolled out the MacBook Pro with the new M5 chip. They haven’t launched the M5 Pro and M5 Max just yet, but these versions are expected to come in early 2026. The MacBook Air is up for a refresh too, getting the M5 chip sometime next year.
Users should get ready because next year is shaping up to be big for new MacBooks, with the arrival of the budget-friendly MacBook, the updated M5 MacBook Air, and the higher-powered M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros.
The new Mac could also tempt iPad users who want a more classic laptop feel, better battery life, and the flexibility of macOS — at about the same cost as an iPad with a Magic Keyboard. It might also come in a variety of colours, which include silver, pink, blue, and yellow.
If the $600 price rumour is true, this could be a huge shift for Apple’s computer lineup. It lowers the entry price for people who’ve never owned a Mac but want in on the ecosystem. With the iPhone already leading the U.S. smartphone market, a cheaper Mac might finally help Apple break through in schools and families the way it has always wanted.
We’ll keep an eye out for the potential launch of this low-cost Mac, but in the meantime, you can browse through the best student laptops, the best MacBook guide, and our roundup for the best budget laptop.
The post Apple is reportedly targeting Chromebooks with a new budget Mac appeared first on Trusted Reviews.