- By Prateek Levi
- Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:19 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Apple is preparing to make one of its biggest strategic shifts in years, according to people familiar with the matter. Known for premium hardware and high-end pricing, the company is getting ready to dive into the budget computer market with a new, lower-priced MacBook targeted at students, small business owners, and the masses.
A Strategic Shift for Apple
A report by Bloomberg suggests that Apple is indeed testing an affordable MacBook, currently in the early stages of production with overseas suppliers. Codenamed "J700", the laptop is tipped to launch in the first half of 2026 for a starting price of under $1,000, which is around Rs 88,000.
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That would make this the first major Apple push to compete with both Chromebooks and low-priced Windows notebooks, huge in classrooms and with budget-conscious buyers. The new MacBook reportedly targets those needing a reliable machine for normal, everyday tasks, like browsing the web, word processing, and light media consumption.
What to Expect from the Budget MacBook
While the company hasn't issued final specifications, the report said Apple will use budget components to help keep the price low. It reportedly uses a smaller LCD display than the 13.6-inch MacBook Air, and may not run on Apple's traditional M-series chips but instead use a variant similar to what it uses in its iPhones.
Interestingly, early testing reportedly suggests that this might be an iPhone chip outperforming the first-generation M1 chip in some ways, with Apple considering a lightweight yet powerful design fit for education and general use. Aiming at Chromebooks If this new MacBook materializes on schedule, it would be Apple's biggest play yet for the education sector. For years, Google's Chromebooks have dominated schools and colleges simply because they are cheaper and far easier to use.
Most high-end Chromebooks retail for something like US$600 -- roughly Rs 53,000 -- while Apple's entry-level MacBook Air starts at US$999, or about Rs 88,000 today, with slight discounts for education customers. A more affordable MacBook -- one that's closer to the price bracket for Chromebooks -- could be just the thing to lure students and professionals who want a lot of the functionality from macOS without the steep price associated with it.
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This future device will reportedly boast good battery life, a full-size keyboard, and the stability of Apple's software ecosystem -- all for a price lower than that of any previous MacBook.