There will be affordable MacBooks this year.

Many rumors predict that a budget MacBook with an A18 Pro chip and a 12.9-inch screen will launch as early as 2026.

Rendered image of a 12.9-inch MacBook based on rumors. Image: @zellzoi/X .

According to market research firm TrendForce , Apple is expected to launch a 12.9-inch MacBook as early as 2026. While not disclosing details, the company suggests the device will have a "competitive price point," targeting the budget to mid-range segment.

"In a challenging market, Apple aims to launch a 12.9-inch laptop in spring 2026, targeting the budget to mid-range price segment."

"Although the launch timing wasn't perfect, efficient supply chains, economies of scale, and competitive pricing can help products attract customers, drive market penetration, and maintain stable sales," the TrendForce report emphasized.

TrendForce 's article focuses on forecasting the laptop market in 2026, predicting a 5.4% decline compared to last year. Several factors are cited as contributing to the slow economic recovery, cautious consumer spending, and rising memory costs, impacting profit margins and manufacturers' pricing strategies.

The laptop market relies heavily on the relationship between manufacturers and the supply chain, combined with distribution strategies and business demand.

"Brands that maintain long-term, stable relationships with major memory suppliers, offer a wide range of mid-range to high-end products, and manage distribution channels and pricing effectively are better able to withstand rising memory prices and ensure a stable supply," the report stated.

Apple is a prime example. Despite rising memory costs, its integrated supply chain and strong pricing capabilities allow it to flexibly adjust its product line. Other factors such as high and stable sales, a clear launch schedule, and strong demand help Apple secure contracts with memory suppliers.

According to MacRumors , this isn't the first time rumors about a cheaper MacBook have surfaced. In June 2025, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated that Apple was developing a more "affordable" 13-inch laptop to compete with Chromebooks and attract more users.

Rendered image of a 12.9-inch MacBook based on rumors. Image: @zellzoi/X .

In August 2025, DigiTimes reported that the affordable MacBook would feature a 12.9-inch screen, similar to some iPad Air and iPad Pro models. For comparison, the current MacBook Air has a 13.6-inch screen.

The company plans to equip the phone with the A18 Pro processor, borrowed from the iPhone 16 Pro. This chip features a 6-core CPU, a 6-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine.

Reviews indicate that the A18 Pro's performance is comparable to the M1 chip. Therefore, it could replace the MacBook Air M1, which is still sold through some channels for between $550 and $600 .

With the A18 Pro chip, the cheaper MacBook might only have 8 GB of RAM, while all current MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models have at least 16 GB. This chip also doesn't support Thunderbolt. Therefore, the cheaper MacBook will most likely only use a standard USB-C port, resulting in slower data transfer speeds and limited external display connectivity.

Based on the latest rumors, the starting price of the 12.9-inch MacBook will be around $700-$800 , significantly lower than the MacBook Air M4 ( $1,000 ). According to Kuo, the device will come in multiple colors including silver, blue, pink, and gold.

Source: https://znews.vn/nam-nay-se-co-macbook-gia-re-post1616583.html