Apple developing first low-cost MacBook, launch expected in 2026
The tech giant is working on a low-cost Mac laptop aimed at competing directly with Chromebooks and budget Windows PCs.
Apple, long known for its sleek, premium laptops, is quietly developing a new kind of Mac, one that, for the first time in the company’s history, won’t carry a luxury price tag.
According to reports from Bloomberg and Reuters, the tech giant is working on a low-cost Mac laptop aimed at competing directly with Chromebooks and budget Windows PCs, particularly in the education and general-use market.
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Internally codenamed J700, the project could launch as early as the first half of 2026.
Unlike the current MacBook Air and MacBook Pro lines, which start at nearly US$1,000 (Sh130,000), the new device is expected to retail for under US$800 (Sh104,000), a significant shift for Apple, whose computers have traditionally remained out of reach for most entry-level buyers.
Industry insiders suggest the new Mac will be powered by an A-series chip, the same type used in iPhones and iPads, rather than the more powerful (and costly) M-series chips found in current MacBooks.
This move would help Apple reduce production costs while maintaining reliable performance for everyday tasks such as word processing, web browsing, and video calls.
Reports also indicate the laptop will feature a simplified aluminium chassis, a basic LCD, and limited port options, deliberate design choices to balance quality with affordability.
The goal, analysts say, is to deliver a device that still feels like a Mac, but without the price barrier that has long excluded students and budget-conscious professionals.
Over the past decade, Chromebooks have dominated the education sector, thanks to their low cost and cloud-based simplicity. According to IDC data, Chromebooks now account for nearly 30 per cent of global education-sector laptop sales, a market Apple has struggled to penetrate.
By entering the budget segment, Apple appears to be addressing a long-standing gap in its product lineup.
The company has already taken a similar approach with the iPhone SE, a pared-down version of its flagship phone that offers Apple’s design and software experience at a more accessible price point.
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