budget MacBook 2024: Apple has reportedly been developing a budget MacBook that will reportedly release in the first half of 2026. The most shocking detail? It might not feature Apple’s M-series chip but A18 Pro processor, which it already employs in iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max. If this is true, this is a dramatic change in Apple’s strategy for its MacBook line because it started using M-series silicon in 2020.

Read More: Xiaomi 14 Ultra vs Oppo Find X8 Pro: Chinese Flagship Fight

Read More: Honor Magic 7 Pro vs Realme GT 6: Underdog Showdown

New Direction in MacBook Chipset Strategy

Apple will employ the A18 Pro chip, initially meant for iPhones, in a MacBook, according to renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. This may lower the cost of production and make the product accessible at a lower price point to the consumer. Apple’s existing low-end device, MacBook Air M4, is too pricey. Apple can lower the cost by employing an iPhone chip and accessing more consumers.

Projected Look and Color Differences

Details that leaked indicate that the new MacBook will have a 13-inch screen, just like the MacBook Air M4. Apple may release it in multiple colors, such as silver, blue, pink, and yellow, possibly to attract more young and cost-conscious buyers. This might make the new MacBook not just cheap, but also aesthetically pleasing.

Production Schedule and Marketing Plan

Production is scheduled to start in Q4 2025 or Q1 2026, with a launch in the first half of 2026. Apple is said to be hoping to restore the levels of robust MacBook sales it experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, close to 25 million units. Of that number, the new affordable MacBook may account for 5 to 7 million units on its own in 2026 alone, according to Kuo.

Software Experience and Potentially Limiting Factors

Although Apple has not provided software information, the issue is whether this A18 Pro MacBook will use macOS or a ‘tuned-down’ version of iOS. If it uses full macOS, it would be the very first time iPhone chip use for the operating system has been undertaken. That would create issues when it comes to compatibility or performance constraints against MacBooks based on M-series.

Performance Expectations Compared to M-Series Macs

Benchmark testing reveals that the A18 Pro chip is clocked at 3,317 for single-core and 8,115 for multi-core performance. As a point of reference, the MacBook Air’s M4 chip clocks in at 3,763 and 14,694, respectively. As fast as the A18 Pro is not, it should still be more than adequate for general use like web surfing, video viewing, multi-tasking, and even light content production.

Conclusion: A Bold Step Towards Affordable MacBooks

Apple might be planning to shake up the MacBook lineup by launching an economy model based on mobile chips if these rumors are to be believed. Though not as fast as the M-series laptops, the A18 Pro MacBook can be an excellent deal for those who don’t require the best performance.