Apple is preparing to unveil a new, more affordable MacBook next week, but the pursuit of a lower price point appears to come with a series of compromises, according to a report originating on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. The alleged limitations, based on a leak from an unreleased build of macOS Tahoe, include restrictions on audio quality, display capabilities, charging speed, and wireless connectivity.
The rumored base model, powered by the A18 Pro chip, reportedly will not support high-impedance headphones. This suggests a limitation in the audio amplifier capabilities of the device. The display is expected to lack both True Tone technology – which adjusts the screen’s color temperature to match ambient lighting – and a wide P3 color gamut, potentially impacting color accuracy and vibrancy. The maximum display brightness is also anticipated to be lower than the 500-nit brightness found in the standard MacBook Air.
Charging capabilities are also expected to be curtailed, with the new MacBook reportedly lacking support for prompt charging. Connectivity will rely on a MediaTek Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, the same component used in the base iPad models, rather than Apple’s proprietary N1 chip. A backlit keyboard, a standard feature on most MacBooks, may also be omitted, mirroring the configuration of Apple’s base model iPad keyboards.
Storage options are expected to include 256GB and 512GB configurations, with a potential 128GB tier reserved exclusively for educational buyers. SSD speeds are also predicted to be slower than those found in the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models. The report also indicates the device will include 8GB of RAM, with the availability of upgrade options remaining unclear.
These limitations align with the expected price point for the new MacBook, with Digitimes reporting a starting price between $699 and $749. Apple typically offers a $100 discount for students and educators, and the potential for a dedicated 128GB storage option for education buyers could further reduce the entry price, potentially by as much as $200.
Apple is scheduled to hold a special “experience” event in New York City next Wednesday, where the new MacBook is expected to be officially unveiled. Developers have already been testing pre-release versions of macOS Tahoe, with the second beta released on February 19, according to MacRumors. Recent reports also indicate that users are experiencing issues with external drive mounting in macOS Tahoe, as highlighted by AppleInsider.
A recent incident reported by ZDNET detailed a user whose $3,700 Mac Studio was rendered unusable due to a bug in macOS 26, though the issue was eventually resolved. These reports underscore the ongoing development and refinement process of the new operating system as Apple prepares to launch its latest hardware.
