Apple Targets Broader market with Expected €699 ”Low-Cost” MacBook in 2026
CUPERTINO, CA – Apple is poised to disrupt the laptop market with a new, more affordable MacBook slated for release in early 2026, perhaps as early as March. The device, currently rumored to start at €699 - matching the price of the base model Mac mini – represents a significant shift for Apple, aiming to attract consumers currently priced out of the company’s laptop ecosystem.
The forthcoming MacBook will reportedly prioritize accessibility and design, diverging from Apple’s current aesthetic. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, a respected industry analyst, the laptop could feature a colorful design reminiscent of the iMac G3 and iBook Clamshell, potentially available in silver, blue, pink, and yellow shades.
While maintaining USB-C connectivity, the new model will reportedly forgo Thunderbolt technology due to limitations of the A18 Pro chip, capping transfer speeds at 10 Gbit/s and potentially limiting external display support to a single screen. Apple appears to be targeting a general audience with this trade-off, anticipating limited demand for these features among mainstream users.
Currently, the 13-inch MacBook Air is Apple’s most affordable laptop, starting at €1099 – a €400 premium over the anticipated price of the new “low-cost” MacBook. This move signals Apple’s intent to aggressively compete with other brands and substantially lower the barrier to entry for consumers considering a MacBook.
