Apple may be gearing up for its most disruptive laptop move in years: a lower-cost MacBook designed to pull new buyers into macOS without the usual “premium” price barrier. A supply-chain–based report cited by The Mac Observer claims Apple is targeting annual shipments around 5.5 million to 7.9 million units, which the source says could equal roughly 25% of Apple’s recent Mac sales volume.
The rumored formula is simple: keep the everyday experience smooth, cut cost where it hurts least. The same report points to 8GB of RAM as the standard configuration, paired with a shift to an A18 Pro (iPhone-class) chip rather than an M-series processor, plus a smaller display and other component optimizations to hit the price target.
Pricing chatter remains fluid, but the range most often repeated is $699 to $799—a bracket that would put Apple in direct striking distance of popular Windows laptops and many Chromebooks, especially in education.
Why this could matter
- Education + first-time Mac buyers are the obvious audience.
- If Apple can ship at that scale, this model could become a growth driver for 2026 rather than a niche side project.
Big caveat: none of this is confirmed—watch for firmer signals as 2026 approaches.