According to Mashable, Apple is reportedly developing a Chromebook-style budget laptop that would sell for well under $1,000 and launch in the first half of next year. The report comes from Bloomberg’s highly reliable Apple reporter Mark Gurman, who says this pared-down Mac would target casual users who primarily browse the web and work on documents. This isn’t the first time we’ve heard such rumors – reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported similar plans back in 2023 when Chromebooks were outselling MacBooks during COVID lockdowns. But that earlier concept never materialized, making this new report particularly interesting given Gurman’s track record and the specific timing details provided.
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<h2 id="why-this-time-could-be-different”>Why this time could be different
Here’s the thing about Apple rumors – they often float around for years before anything actually ships. Remember the Apple car? The television? But this feels different because the market conditions have fundamentally shifted. Chromebooks absolutely dominated the education sector during the pandemic, and Apple basically ceded that entire market to Google. Now they’re seeing an opportunity to claw back some of those users who don’t need pro-level performance but still want the Apple ecosystem.
And let’s be real – the current MacBook Air starts at $999, which is still way too expensive for schools, students on tight budgets, or people who just want a basic computer. A device priced “well under $1,000” could mean $699 or even $599, which would completely change Apple’s positioning in the education and entry-level markets. That’s Chromebook territory, but with macOS instead of ChromeOS.
The trade-offs Apple will make
So how does Apple hit that price point? Basically, they’ll have to make some significant compromises. We’re probably looking at older Apple Silicon chips – maybe the M2 instead of the latest M4, which would still be plenty powerful for web browsing and document work. The display might be lower resolution, the chassis could use more plastic instead of aluminum, and I’d bet they’ll skimp on ports and storage options.
But here’s the interesting question: Can Apple actually build a “cheap” laptop without damaging their premium brand reputation? They’ve tried this before with products like the iPhone SE, which worked because it used older components in a proven design. I suspect we’ll see something similar here – maybe an updated version of the older MacBook Air design with last-generation chips. The challenge will be making it feel like a quality Apple product while hitting that aggressive price target.
What this means for the market
If Apple actually pulls this off, it could seriously disrupt the entire budget laptop space. Chromebooks have enjoyed relatively little competition in the under-$500 segment, and Windows laptops in that range are often pretty mediocre. An Apple product at even $699 would instantly become the premium option in that category.
Think about it – schools that currently buy Chromebooks might suddenly consider Apple if the price is close enough. Parents shopping for their kids’ first computer would have a real decision to make. And casual users who’ve always wanted a Mac but couldn’t justify the cost would finally have an entry point. This could be huge for Apple’s market share, even if it means lower profit margins per device.
Now, the big question remains whether Apple will actually follow through this time. The company has historically been allergic to competing on price, preferring to maintain their premium positioning. But with Chromebooks continuing to dominate education and emerging markets, and Windows laptops getting better at the low end, Apple might finally be feeling the pressure to play in this space. We’ll know for sure in about a year.
