Apple’s Entry-Level MacBook Chip Choice Remains Undecided: A18 Pro or A19 Pro?
CUPERTINO, CA – The hotly anticipated, more affordable MacBook, rumored to launch in late 2025 or early 2026, is still facing a key decision regarding its processor: will it utilize the A18 Pro chip currently found in the iPhone 16 Pro, or the newer A19 Pro? Recent reports offer conflicting insights into Apple’s plans.
Initial indications in June pointed towards the A18 Pro. Analyst ming-Chi Kuo suggested the entry-level MacBook would feature this chip, a prediction supported by findings from Aaron Perris of Macrumors and confirmed by Digitimes. This would suggest Apple has finalized specifications with the A18 Pro at its core.
Though, last week, Weibo account Mobile Phone Chip Expert claimed Apple is considering the A19 Pro for the device. The account further specified a potential split, with the MacBook possibly receiving either the 6-core GPU version from the iPhone 17 Pro or the 5-core GPU version from a potential iPhone Air. This source previously accurately predicted 12GB of RAM for at least one iPhone 17 model, lending credibility to the claim.
Performance differences between the two chips are significant. The A18 pro is expected to deliver performance comparable to Apple’s M1 chip, paired with 8GB of unified memory. The A19 Pro, conversely, promises faster processing speeds and a substantial upgrade to 12GB of unified memory. Notably,Apple’s newer Mac range currently begins with 16GB of RAM,with the exception of the older M1 MacBook Air sold at Walmart for $599.
Regardless of the chip chosen, both the A18 Pro and A19 Pro lack integrated Thunderbolt support. This means the new macbook will likely feature standard USB-C ports, limited to 10 Gbps data transfer speeds and single external display support (without a DisplayLink adapter).
Current predictions suggest a 13-inch model available in silver, blue, pink, and yellow. Apple traditionally unveils new Macs in October, making that month a likely reveal window.If not, consumers may have to wait until March 2026 for the launch.
