Chromebooks and Windows PCs won’t be the only affordable laptops next year, with Apple tipped to release a cheaper laptop, adding another segment to its Mac range.
Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman broke the news, claiming that Apple intends to sell its new laptop variant “for well under” US$1,000 (roughly $1,500 in Australia). Currently, the cheapest Apple computer is the MacBook Air, with the latest M4 model priced at $1,699 locally.
According to Gurman’s reporting, Apple’s in-development laptop — codenamed “J700” — uses an iPhone processor, rather than the M-series silicon used by the rest of the Mac range. Another attempt to keep costs down is said to come from “a lower-end LCD” screen, which will reportedly be smaller than the 13-inch MacBook Air’s display.
Based on Apple’s 2025 fiscal year report, Macs accounted for roughly eight per cent of the company’s US$416.16 billion in net sales. Most of Apple’s revenue comes from iPhones (50 per cent) and ‘Services’ (26 per cent), which refers to App Store commissions, subscriptions, and advertising.
Launching a lower-priced laptop to compete with entry-level Chromebooks and Windows PCs could be a play to expand Apple’s market after years of focusing on mid-range and premium devices.
Gurman didn’t specify which iPhone processor the reported cheaper Apple laptop would use. This year, Apple launched the iPhone 17 with the A19 chipset, and the iPhone 17 Pro range with the A19 Pro. According to Gurman’s sources, the chosen iPhone chip outperforms the M1 system-on-a-chip that debuted in 2020.
Some major Australian retailers, including Big W, sell M1 MacBook Airs for sub-$1,000 prices already. So, Apple would need to factor in a cost that justifies choosing the company’s cheaper laptop.
Gurman expects the new laptop to launch in the first half of 2026, while more M5 Macs and MacBook models are also on the way.
The post Apple to launch cheaper Mac laptop next year, reports claim appeared first on GadgetGuy.
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