Apple Reportedly Planning $599–$699 Entry-Level MacBook With A18 Pro Chip

A fresh DigiTimes report claims Apple is gearing up to launch a lower-cost MacBook, with mass production set for Q4 2025 and a possible debut in late 2025 or early 2026.

Key Details From the Report

• Price Range: $599–$699, well below the current $999 MacBook Air entry point

• Display: 12.9-inch screen

• Processor: Apple’s A18 Pro chip — the first time an A-series chip would power a Mac

• Codename: Possibly J700, spotted in an earlier leaked roadmap

• Assembly: Quanta Computer to handle final build

Market Positioning

While some expected this to target the education market to compete with Chromebooks, DigiTimes Research senior analyst Jim Hsiao suggests Apple’s aim is broader—offsetting inflationary price increases on the MacBook Air while offering a more accessible entry-level Mac.

Sales Projections

• Estimated 5–7 million units annually

• Could lift Apple’s total MacBook volume by 30–40%

Background

This report follows Apple’s record-setting $8 billion Mac revenue in its most recent quarter—a 15% YoY jump—driven in part by the new M4 MacBook Air. Introducing an A18 Pro-powered budget Mac could help sustain that momentum while expanding Apple’s reach to more cost-conscious buyers.