Apple is reportedly preparing a lower‑cost 12.9‑inch MacBook for a spring 2026 launch, powered by a variant of the iPhone 16 Pro’s A18 Pro chip and aimed squarely at entry‑level to mid‑range buyers. Early reports place a U.S. starting price between $599 and $899, with $699 or $799 seen as the likeliest price points.

Apple’s Mac lineup may be getting a new, smaller sibling: a 12.9‑inch MacBook that TrendForce says will target the lower end of the market and arrive in March or April 2026. The device is described as a competitively priced laptop that would sit below the MacBook Air in Apple’s product stack, potentially replacing older, lower‑powered Air models in retail channels.

According to the reporting, the new MacBook would use a version of the A18 Pro system‑on‑chip—the same family as the iPhone 16 Pro—featuring a 6‑core CPU, 6‑core GPU, and a 16‑core Neural Engine, with performance roughly comparable to Apple’s M1 silicon in some workloads. Early pricing estimates in the U.S. place the entry model between $599 and $899, with $699 or $799 flagged as the most plausible starting points; that would undercut the current MacBook Air base price and change the company’s entry‑level positioning.

If accurate, the move would mark a strategic pivot: Apple would be bringing iPhone‑class silicon into a mainstream laptop at a much lower price point than its current MacBook Air lineup, potentially expanding Mac adoption among students, first‑time buyers, and price‑conscious professionals. Supply‑chain whispers and analyst commentary suggest Apple is experimenting with color options and a thin, ultra‑light chassis reminiscent of the discontinued 12‑inch MacBook, aiming for portability and style as selling points.

Key considerations for buyers

• Performance vs. ports: Expect good everyday performance for web, office, and media tasks, but limited pro‑grade I/O—the A18 Pro reportedly lacks Thunderbolt support, so external display and high‑speed peripheral use may be constrained.
• Memory and expandability: Early signs point to 8GB base RAM, which could be limiting for heavy multitasking or creative workflows.
• Price tradeoffs: A $699–$799 entry price would make this MacBook compelling, but buyers should weigh storage, RAM, and port needs before upgrading from a discounted Air or older M1 models.

Risks, limitations, and what to watch

• Rumor reliability: These details come from market research and supply‑chain reports rather than an Apple announcement; timelines and specs can change.
• Ecosystem tradeoffs: A lower price may mean compromises—no Thunderbolt, lower RAM, and fewer pro features—that could frustrate power users.
• Timing and availability: Even if announced in spring, initial stock could be limited or regionally staggered; watch Apple’s official channels for confirmation.

This rumored 12.9‑inch MacBook would be Apple’s clearest attempt yet to marry iPhone silicon efficiency with laptop affordability, reshaping the lower end of the Mac market if the specs and price hold. For now, treat the story as a credible industry leak worth watching closely; official confirmation from Apple is still pending.

Related /

• The real reason Apple wants a $599 MacBook on the market
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• Apple’s first A18 Pro MacBook may debut at $599 price point
• Apple’s A18 MacBook could be the iPad of laptops