Apple appears to be quietly laying the groundwork for a more accessible MacBook, one that could arrive as early as spring 2026. According to a recent report from TrendForce, the company is developing a new 12.9 inch MacBook designed to sit below the current MacBook Air in both price and hardware.
If this information holds, it would mark a noticeable shift for Apple, which has largely focused on premium laptops over the past few years. This new model seems aimed squarely at students, casual users, and people buying their first Mac, which is a group Apple has not directly targeted with new hardware in quite some time.
Key Takeaways
- Target Launch: Expected in spring 2026, most likely between March and May.
- Processor: Powered by the A18 Pro chip, the same processor used in the iPhone 16 Pro.
- Price Point: Rumours point to a starting price between $599 and $799, roughly ₹50,000 to ₹67,000.
- Display: A 12.9 inch LCD panel, smaller than the 13.6 inch MacBook Air.
- Design: Expected to be ultra thin and lightweight, possibly offered in brighter colours such as blue, pink, and yellow.
- Compromises: Likely to start with 8GB of RAM and standard USB C ports without Thunderbolt support.
A New Class of MacBook Performance
The most eye catching detail here is Apple’s apparent decision to use the A18 Pro chip in a Mac. If this happens, it would be the first time an iPhone class processor finds its way into a MacBook. The A18 Pro reportedly features a six core CPU and a six core GPU, along with a 16 core Neural Engine for AI related tasks.
While it does not belong to the M series family that Apple usually reserves for Macs, performance expectations are still fairly encouraging. Early comparisons suggest it could land somewhere near the original M1 chip for everyday tasks. That means web browsing, document work, video calls, and even light photo editing should feel perfectly fine for most users.
Because the A18 Pro is designed for the tight thermal limits of a phone, it is extremely power efficient and produces very little heat. That opens the door for a fanless design, which, in practical terms, means a thinner chassis and silent operation. For a student or casual user, that trade off probably makes sense, even if it is not built for heavy creative workloads.
Strategy to Replace the M1 MacBook Air
Right now, Apple’s true entry level Mac is still the M1 MacBook Air, which often sells for around $649 through third party retailers. The problem is that this model is showing its age. It lacks newer features and sits in an odd place in Apple’s lineup.
A new 12.9 inch MacBook could finally allow Apple to retire the M1 Air altogether. By using the A18 Pro, Apple can keep manufacturing costs under control while still offering a modern machine that supports current versions of macOS and Apple Intelligence features.
Of course, there are compromises involved. Unlike recent MacBook Air and Pro models that now start with 16GB of memory, this budget option will almost certainly stick to 8GB. The absence of Thunderbolt also limits data transfer speeds and external display support. Still, for the audience this device is targeting, those limitations may not matter much in daily use.
Market Impact in India
In India, this kind of MacBook could be especially significant. A competitively priced Apple laptop has long been something students and young professionals have asked for, but rarely received. If Apple manages to keep pricing close to current rumours, it could put serious pressure on premium Windows laptops and even high end Chromebooks.
The possibility of brighter colour options, similar to the 24 inch iMac, is also interesting. Younger buyers often care about design and personality just as much as raw specs, and this could be Apple’s way of making the Mac feel a little more fun again, not just powerful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Will the budget MacBook support Apple Intelligence?
A1: Yes. The A18 Pro includes a 16 core Neural Engine specifically built for AI workloads, so it should fully support Apple Intelligence features.
Q2: How does the A18 Pro compare to the M3 chip?
A2: The A18 Pro is a mobile first chip. Its single core performance should be strong, but the M3 offers better multi core performance and far stronger graphics for tasks like video editing and gaming.
Q3: Is this the same as the old 12 inch MacBook Apple sold earlier?
A3: Not really. While the size and philosophy are similar, this new model would be far more capable. The older 12 inch MacBook was often criticised for weak performance, which the A18 Pro should largely address.
Q4: Can I use my existing USB C accessories?
A4: Yes, standard USB C accessories should work fine. However, without Thunderbolt support, some high speed docks and multiple external display setups may not operate at full capacity.
