Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
TL;DR Apple is reportedly working on a lower-cost Mac laptop that could sell well under $1,000 by using iPhone-class chips and a smaller LCD.
The project signals a strategic push to compete with Chromebooks and affordable Windows laptops, especially in education, where Apple currently trails rivals.
If priced around $699-$799, the new Mac could reshape Apple’s entry-level lineup by offering macOS at budget pricing and pulling more students into its ecosystem.
For years, the most affordable way to experience an Apple laptop has been to wait for discounts on older MacBooks, or to recreate the “Mac” experience by pairing an iPad with a keyboard. But that may soon change. Apple is reportedly developing a lower-cost Mac laptop aimed at students and mainstream buyers, according to a new Bloomberg report. The machine is expected to sell “well under $1,000” by using less-advanced components such as an iPhone-class A-series processor and a smaller, lower-end LCD panel, sized slightly below the current MacBook Air’s 13.6-inch panel.
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Interestingly, this isn’t the first time the idea has surfaced. Back in 2023, reports suggested that Apple was exploring a sub-$700 MacBook to compete in the education and Chromebook space. What’s different now is the clearer picture: the pricing target, the use of an iPhone chip, and a smaller display, all hinting at a more focused strategy for entering the budget-laptop arena.
It’s a smart move — Apple has historically leaned into premium pricing, but the student market tells another story. Chromebooks dominate classrooms in many regions thanks to their low cost and ease of use. According to IDC, Apple held only about 9% of the global PC market in Q3 2025, which is well behind Lenovo, HP, and Dell, all of which sell Windows or ChromeOS devices. A more affordable Mac that still offers Apple’s hardware design and ecosystem advantages could drive new adoption, especially in the US, where iPhones already have a huge foothold.
Using older A-series silicon could be an effective way to get there. The performance-per-dollar is proven, especially for schoolwork and general productivity, and the smaller display aligns well with the compact Chromebook segment. That said, hitting “well under $1,000” is still the key here. One could argue that an iPad paired with a keyboard already delivers laptop-like performance, touchscreen utility, and portability. The real differentiator here, however, is that this new machine would run macOS, a more traditional desktop OS compared to iPadOS, giving it a clearer separation as a true laptop rather than a tablet-first device.
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