Apple is preparing to introduce a more affordable MacBook with the production set starting later this year. According to industry sources (through digitims), the laptop can debut at $ 699 for the general market and $ 599 under Apple’s education discount program. This will place it well under the current entry-level MacBook Air, which starts at $ 999 or $ 899 for education buyers.
12-inch MacBook: Major features and production timelines (expected)
The upcoming model is expected to include Apple’s A18 Pro processor, the same chip is used in the iPhone 16 Pro. It will be available in many color options allegedly including pink, blue and yellow. Large -scale production is estimated to begin by the end of 2025, in which shipment begins in early 2026.
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While earlier rumors pointed to a 13 -inch screen, updated details indicate that the new MacBook will have a 12.9 -inch display. It is slightly smaller than the 13.6 -inch MacBook Air, and the display will possibly introduce less resolution and glitter than the liquid retinal panel of the air. Other specifications, such as weight, memory and storage, have not yet been confirmed.
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Industry analysts expect low size and low -cost components to make the device lighter than the M4 MacBook Air, weighing 2.7 pounds. However, whether it will fall below 2.5 pounds, it remains to be seen. Apple has not yet clarified whether the device will be involved in the MacBook Air Lineup or just branded as MacBook.
In addition, speculation suggests that the base configuration may include 8GB of RAM and 128GB storage, although there is a hope that the Apple will offer 256GB in the entry-level model. The A18 pro chip does not expect to match Apple’s performance of Apple’s M-Series processor, but will support Apple Intellogi, leading to access to the company’s expanded AI-based features.
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Pricing effects on Apple’s device lineup
The launch of $ 599 MacBook can appeal to students and budget conscious buyers, while Apple can help expand its share of the laptop market. However, it can also overlap with the iPad lineup in terms of pricing. For example, the 11-inch iPad with the A16 chip is priced at Rs. 36,900 for students. This pricing strategy suggests that Apple can keep the device in position as an attractive option for iPads for users looking for a traditional laptop experience.
