Apple has started production of a cheap MacBook! It will offer solid performance and compact dimensions

A cheap MacBook has been rumored since summer, and according to Bloomberg, Apple has begun early production of an entry-level notebook priced “well under $1,000”. Converted for the Czech market, this means a price around 20-25 thousand CZK, which would make it the cheapest notebook in the company’s history.

It will be a separate product line – not an Air, not a Pro, just “MacBook”. And unlike all other Macs, it won’t get an M-series processor, but an A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro. Does that sound like a compromise? Perhaps. But Apple has a reason for this strategy.

Why now? Microsoft, schools, and economic reality

Apple chose the timing carefully. Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 in October 2025, meaning millions of users with hardware unsuitable for Windows 11 will have to buy new computers. This includes companies and schools that have so far managed with cheap Windows machines.

The second factor is the dominance of Chromebooks in education. These start at 5-6 thousand, with premium models costing around 15 thousand. Apple has never come close to them – the MacBook Air starts at 30 thousand, and for schools with thousands of students, it’s simply unattainable, even though Apple gives them a small discount. While a cheap MacBook priced around 20 thousand won’t solve the problem entirely, it will at least open doors for individual buyers and smaller institutions.

What will be inside: A18 Pro instead of M-series

The biggest surprise is the choice of processor. The Apple A18 Pro is a mobile chipset from the iPhone 16 Pro, which has never been used in a notebook before. All MacBooks since 2020 have used M-series processors – M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5. So why would Apple opt for a chip from a phone?

There are several reasons. The A18 Pro is cheaper to manufacture than the M-series because it’s already produced in large volumes for iPhones. It also has lower power consumption, which is suitable for a smaller battery in a compact notebook. And surprisingly – in single-core performance, the A18 Pro is faster than the M1. This means that for tasks running on a single core (which is most applications for regular users), the cheap MacBook will be snappier than the first-generation Air with M1.

Multi-core performance will logically be lower – the A18 Pro has 6 cores, the M1 has 8. But for writing documents, browsing the web, streaming video, and light photo editing, it’s more than enough. Furthermore, the A18 Pro supports Apple Intelligence, so all AI features Apple plans for macOS will likely work.

Smaller display, LCD panel, and bright colors

The display will be smaller than the 13.6″ MacBook Air – according to analysts, it will be around 12.9 inches. This matches the dimensions of the 12″ MacBook that Apple sold from 2015-2017. For some, it’s a nostalgic memory of an ultra-portable laptop for a handbag; for others, an unnecessarily small display for productive work.

Instead of a Retina display with mini-LED or OLED technology, the cheap MacBook will get a standard LCD panel. It will still be sharp, but without the color depth that users of premium Macs are accustomed to. This is a compromise to keep the price down.

More interesting are the color variants. Apple is reportedly offering silver, blue, pink, and yellow – a palette familiar from the iMac. This is a clear signal that the notebook targets a younger audience and schools, where bright colors work better than gray monotony.

How much will it cost and does it have a chance to succeed?

Bloomberg states a price “well under $1,000,” which in practice means $699-799. In the Czech Republic, it could range around 20-25 thousand CZK depending on the exchange rate and VAT. Students should receive a discount, so the real price could drop below 20 thousand.

This is still two to three times more than the cheapest Chromebooks, which start at 5 thousand. But in return, you get a full-fledged macOS, the Apple services ecosystem, and hardware that will last longer than a plastic Chromebook. For schools with limited budgets, it still won’t be an ideal choice, but for individuals and families, it will.

It will be interesting to compare it with older products, such as the MacBook Air M2, which can be purchased for under 21 thousand CZK during sales. The M2 is more powerful, has a better display and construction. But the new model will be cheaper, possibly more compact, newer, and will receive longer software support. For someone looking for the cheapest way into macOS and not needing maximum performance, this could be a better choice.

When will it arrive and what does it mean for the Czech market?

Apple has begun early production of components with suppliers in Asia, which suggests a launch in early 2026 – likely February or March. This is the same window when Apple typically updates MacBook Airs with new chips.

For the Czech market, this could be an interesting opportunity. If Apple truly targets the segment under 25 thousand, it will appeal to people who have hesitated due to the price. At the same time, it must be considered that the cheap MacBook will not be as “premium” a product as the Air or Pro.

Analysts estimate sales of 5-7 million units annually, which would increase overall MacBook sales by a third. This is a significant volume that could change the perception of Apple as a manufacturer only for the “wealthy.” The question is whether it will be enough to compete with cheap Windows notebooks and Chromebooks, which have a decade’s head start.

Would you buy a cheap MacBook for 20 thousand?

Source: Bloomberg, MacRumors