Apple to Launch Low-Cost MacBook to Compete With Chromebooks [Report]

Apple is developing a low-cost MacBook to compete with Chromebooks and entry-level Windows PCs, marking what could be its first move into the budget laptop market, according to a new report from Bloomberg. The new model is said to target students, businesses, and casual users—especially those who mainly browse the web, work on documents, or perform light media editing.

Codenamed J700, the laptop is reportedly in active testing at Apple and early production with suppliers, with a launch planned for the first half of next year. This aligns with an earlier report that linked the J700 codename to a new low-cost MacBook. An Apple spokesperson declined to comment.

To reach a price point well under $1,000, Apple is said to be using less-advanced components, including an iPhone processor and a lower-end LCD display. It would be the first time Apple has used an iPhone chip in a Mac. Internal testing has reportedly shown the chip can outperform the M1 processor found in laptops from just a few years ago. The screen will also be slightly smaller than the 13.6-inch display in the current MacBook Air.


The move would represent a strategic shift for Apple, which has long focused on premium devices with high profit margins. The company's least expensive Mac is currently the $999 M4 MacBook Air, while Chromebooks can sell for as little as a few hundred dollars. Apple's entry-level iPad with a Magic Keyboard Folio costs about $600 combined—a range the new Mac could target while offering longer battery life and the added flexibility of macOS.

The report also notes that several other Mac updates are in the pipeline. M5-powered versions of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro are expected early next year, followed by updates to the Mac mini and Mac Studio. Further out, Apple is planning a redesigned MacBook Pro with an M6 chip and an OLED touchscreen for late 2026 or early 2027.

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