Apple’s low-end MacBook, priced at $699, will enter production by end of 2025

Apple is preparing to launch its first-ever MacBook priced below $999, with supply chain sources indicating that component production for the new entry-level model will begin as early as next month. Full-scale manufacturing could follow before the end of 2025.

The new MacBook will reportedly be powered by Apple’s A18 Pro chip, the same processor used in the iPhone 16 Pro series, marking a major departure from the company’s long-standing use of M-series silicon in its laptops. This move could open the MacBook line to a new, more budget-conscious audience.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo first revealed plans for the device in June, suggesting production would begin in late 2025 or early 2026. The A18 Pro-powered notebook is expected to be offered in multiple color options, including silver, pink, and yellow. While Apple has not confirmed pricing, speculation suggests a starting point around $699, with potential education discounts lowering it to $599.

If accurate, the pricing would position the model well below the current $999 MacBook Air, Apple’s most affordable notebook. Analysts note that the A18 Pro chip should still deliver strong performance for everyday tasks. Benchmarks place its multi-core speed on par with the M1 MacBook Air and its single-core performance between the newer M3 and M4 chips.

“The A18 Pro would be perfectly adequate for the kind of everyday tasks many MacBook Air users carry out,” reports have noted, pointing out that even older M1 Air models remain powerful enough for most workflows.

The latest update comes from a DigiTimes report, which says certain components for the device will enter mass production by the end of Q3 2025. This schedule could allow final assembly to begin before year’s end, setting the stage for a launch in early 2026.

Apple’s strategy appears aimed at expanding its notebook customer base by targeting students, casual users, and buyers who might otherwise opt for a Chromebook or Windows laptop. By pairing lower pricing with the company’s ecosystem and macOS experience, Apple could significantly disrupt the entry-level laptop market.

However, it is worth noting that Apple has pushed back again launching a lower end MacBook for years as it would downgrade their quality and put them in a competition with likes of Dell and HP and even Acer, Asus and others.