According to 9to5Mac, Apple is developing a cheaper MacBook powered by an iPhone processor that will cost well under $1000. The device, code-named J700, is currently in active testing and early production with overseas suppliers. Apple plans to launch it in the first half of 2026, specifically targeting the sub-$1000 laptop market. The notebook will use an A-series chip instead of Apple’s M-series processors and feature a smaller LCD display below the 13.6-inch screen found on current MacBook Air models. This marks Apple’s first consumer Mac to use an iPhone processor since switching from Intel to Apple silicon. The report comes from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, corroborating earlier claims from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo about an A18 Pro-powered MacBook.
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Why this makes sense now
Here’s the thing – Apple’s laptop lineup has gotten pretty expensive. The cheapest new MacBook you can buy directly from Apple is the $999 M4 MacBook Air. Sure, you can find the older M1 model at Walmart for $649, but that’s through a third-party retailer. Apple itself doesn’t really do “budget” hardware in its own stores.
So why would Apple suddenly change course? Basically, they’re getting squeezed from both sides. iPads with keyboard accessories are approaching MacBook prices, while Chromebooks and cheaper Windows laptops are dominating the education and entry-level markets. An $800 MacBook could be Apple’s answer to both problems.
<h2 id="chip-strategy”>The chip strategy is fascinating
This would be Apple’s first consumer Mac running on an A-series chip instead of an M-series processor. That’s a huge deal. Since the Apple silicon transition, every Mac has used some variant of the M-chip family. Even iPads are moving to M-series processors now.
But think about it – Apple’s A-series chips are incredibly powerful. The A18 Pro that’s rumored for this machine would absolutely crush most Intel processors while being more power-efficient. And by using existing iPhone chip designs, Apple could significantly reduce costs. It’s basically repurposing technology they’re already mass-producing.
What this means for the market
If Apple actually sells this through its own stores and website at under $800, that changes everything. Currently, the only way to get a “discounted” Mac from Apple is through refurbished models. This would be Apple officially acknowledging there’s a market segment they’ve been missing.
And let’s be real – how many people are buying $300 keyboards for their iPads when they could get a full MacBook for not much more? This machine could effectively replace the iPad-plus-keyboard combo for many users. Follow 9to5Mac on Twitter for more updates as this story develops.
The bigger picture
This feels like Apple finally admitting that their “premium-only” strategy has limits. The education market has largely moved to Chromebooks, and many first-time computer buyers are opting for cheaper Windows machines. An $800 MacBook could be Apple’s way back into those markets.
It’s also worth noting the timing – early 2026 would put this right alongside the expected M5 MacBook Air refresh. That creates an interesting product segmentation where you have premium M-series machines and more affordable A-series options. Check out Howl’s analysis of what this means for Apple’s chip strategy.
The real question is whether consumers will see an “A-series Mac” as inferior to M-series models. But honestly, for most basic computing tasks, these chips are more than powerful enough. This could be the machine that finally brings more people into the Apple ecosystem without breaking the bank.
