According to Wccftech, Apple’s first true low-cost MacBook is targeting a H1 2026 launch and is already in early production. The base model is expected to land between $599 and $699, a massive drop from the current $999 starting price of the M4 MacBook Air. This represents a strategic shift for Apple away from premium-only products toward competing directly with Chromebooks and budget Windows laptops. The timing aligns perfectly with Microsoft ending Windows 10 support, potentially capturing millions of users seeking alternatives. Apple has already tested budget waters by discounting M1 MacBook Air models below $700 at Walmart, but this would be their first purpose-built budget machine.
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Why This Timing Makes Sense
Here’s the thing – Apple‘s timing here is actually brilliant. Microsoft just ended support for Windows 10, leaving what, hundreds of millions of users hanging? And Chromebooks have absolutely dominated the education market that Apple basically abandoned at these price points. I’ve been saying for years that Apple was leaving money on the table by ignoring the sub-$700 laptop segment. Now they’re finally making their move.
But let’s be real – this isn’t just about being nice and offering affordable computers. This is about ecosystem lock-in. Get someone’s first computer to be a MacBook at $600, and you’ve probably got them buying iPhones, AirPods, and maybe even an iPad down the line. It’s a gateway drug strategy, basically.
Early Production Means It’s Real
The fact that this thing is already in early production and testing phase is huge. We’re not talking about some distant rumor anymore – this appears to be an actual product moving through Apple’s pipeline. Industry watchers have been tracking this for a while, but early production makes it feel much more concrete.
Still, I have to wonder – what corners will Apple cut to hit that $599 price point? We’re talking about a company that charges $19 for a polishing cloth. Can they really deliver a quality MacBook experience at nearly half their current entry price? The M1 MacBook Air discounts showed there’s appetite, but building a product specifically for this segment is different.
Direct Shot at Chromebooks
This is Apple declaring war on the education market that Chromebooks have owned for years. Schools and parents have been buying Chromebooks not because they love them, but because they’re affordable. At $599, Apple suddenly becomes a real option. Google’s education ecosystem has been comfortable for a long time, but Apple’s integrated approach could be compelling if priced right.
The question is whether schools will bite. Chromebooks are cheap to manage and replace. Apple products traditionally come with higher IT costs and less flexibility. But if Apple can deliver a sealed-down, easy-to-manage version specifically for education? That could change the game entirely.
The Risks Apple Faces
Let’s not forget Apple’s history with budget products. Remember the iPhone 5C? That was supposed to be their affordable iPhone, and it was… fine. But it didn’t exactly set the world on fire. The danger here is cannibalizing their own higher-margin products. Why would someone buy a $999 MacBook Air when they can get 80% of the experience for $600?
And there’s the brand perception problem. Apple has built its entire identity around premium quality and premium pricing. Does going budget dilute that? Maybe. But honestly, I think the opportunity outweighs the risk. The laptop market has changed, and Apple needs to adapt or keep losing ground in the most volume-heavy segments.
So yeah, a $600 MacBook in 2026. It sounds almost too good to be true. But if Apple pulls this off without making it feel cheap? They could seriously disrupt the entire budget laptop market. The question isn’t whether people will buy it – it’s whether Apple can actually deliver something worth buying at that price.
