Get ready, tech enthusiasts! Apple is poised to shake up the laptop market in a big way by launching its first-ever budget-friendly Mac. This move could redefine the landscape, but will it pay off? Let's dive in.
This new device, codenamed J700, is designed to attract students, businesses, and casual users who primarily surf the web, work on documents, or do some light media editing. It's also aimed at those considering an iPad but craving a more traditional laptop experience. The goal? To steal customers away from the likes of Chromebooks and entry-level Windows PCs.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the company plans to launch this budget-friendly Mac in the first half of next year. While Apple has stayed mum on the details, the anticipation is building. This marks a significant strategic shift for a company known for its premium, high-margin devices. Apple has historically avoided chasing market share with lower-end offerings.
But here's where it gets controversial... Apple is facing growing competition from Chromebooks, which offer low-cost alternatives. Plus, there's an opportunity to attract Windows users, especially those disgruntled by Microsoft's shift to Windows 11.
This news sent ripples through the industry, with shares of PC makers like HP and Dell briefly dipping.
Apple intends to price the new machine well under $1,000 (around $1500 AUD) by utilizing less-advanced components. The laptop will reportedly use an iPhone processor and a lower-end LCD display. The screen will also be the smallest of any current Mac, slightly smaller than the 13.6-inch display on the MacBook Air.
This would be the first time Apple has used an iPhone processor in a Mac instead of a chip designed specifically for computers. However, internal tests suggest that the smartphone chip can outperform the M1 chip used in older MacBooks. Apple has used iPhone chips to power iPads for a while, but it later transitioned to its M-series processors for higher-end models.
Apple has tested the waters before by selling a discounted M1 MacBook Air for under $700 through retailers. But this new model will be a completely new design, not just a discounted older machine.
Currently, Apple's most affordable Mac is the $999 M4 MacBook Air ($1699 AUD). Chromebooks, in contrast, start at a few hundred dollars, with premium versions reaching about $600. In schools, Apple's entry-level iPad with the Magic Keyboard Folio is a popular combo, costing around $600. The new Mac could offer similar pricing but with better battery life, the flexibility of macOS, and an integrated keyboard, potentially appealing to students and consumers alike.
And this is the part most people miss... Apple held about 9% of the global PC market in the third quarter, ranking fourth behind Lenovo, HP, and Dell. A more affordable Mac that retains Apple's design and seamlessly integrates with its other products could significantly boost Mac adoption, especially in the US, where the iPhone reigns supreme.
Already, the Mac segment was Apple's fastest-growing hardware category last quarter, increasing by 13% to $8.73 billion. While growth is expected to slow down this quarter, that's primarily because Apple is only releasing one new model: the entry-level MacBook Pro with an M5 chip.
The company has ambitious plans for 2026. Beyond the new low-end laptop, Apple is working on an M5 MacBook Air for early in the year, as well as M5 Pro and M5 Max-powered MacBook Pros. Also on the roadmap: new M5 and M5 Pro Mac mini models, M5 Max and M5 Ultra Mac Studio updates, and a revamped MacBook Pro with an M6 chip and an iPhone-style OLED touchscreen, planned for late 2026 or early 2027. Plus, two new external Mac displays are in the works.
What do you think? Will this budget-friendly Mac be a game-changer for Apple? Will it lure you away from other brands? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
