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Apple has been reportedly working on a new entry-level MacBook that may upset the budget laptop segment in developing markets to attract budget-conscious users.
According to a new report by Bloomberg, the budget Mac is “aimed at luring away customers from Chromebooks and entry-level Windows PCs” and is designed for students, businesses, and casual users who want to surf the internet, work on documents and do light editing.
The much rumoured device – codenamed J700 has been under development for quite some time now. The report now says that the machine is currently being tested at Apple and in early production stages with suppliers. Citing a source, the publication claims that the budget MacBook will be coming in the first few months of 2026.
For decades, Apple has been focusing on making and selling premium devices with huge profit margins and hasn’t delved into the budget segment. But now that the Cupertino tech giant is facing stiff competition from Chromebooks, Google’s pocket-friendly laptops powered by ChromeOS, it looks like Apple wants to make a dent in the segment.
Apple is reportedly planning to sell its upcoming budget-friendly laptop at a price tag of less than $1,000, which will most likely be done by cutting down on hardware components. A previous report by Digitimes, citing “supply chain sources”, indicates that the affordable MacBook will start from $699 with an education discount.
The much rumoured MacBook is said to be powered by an iPhone processor and is said to boast a smaller LCD screen than the new MacBook Air, which sports a 13.6-inch display. While the chipset may feel overwhelming, reports say that internal testing at Apple has shown that the iPhone chip performs better than the M1-powered MacBook Air from a few years ago.
As for the design, speculations suggest the upcoming laptop may look totally different from the current lineup and pack in much less premium components to keep the price down. Compared to the entry-level iPad with keyboard combo that costs somewhere around $600, the budget MacBook will have a better battery life, making it appealing for both consumers and students alike.
