According to Techmeme, Apple is currently testing a new low-cost Mac priced under $1,000 that would use an iPhone-class chip instead of an M-series processor. Analyst Austin Lyons reported that this device would still outperform early M1 Macs while expanding Apple’s entry-level Mac lineup without hurting the average selling prices of its MacBook Air and Pro models. The potential launch timeline wasn’t specified, but the report suggests this could be the long-rumored everyday low-priced MacBook that Apple has been considering. This development comes after Lyons previously discussed this possibility during a CNBC Apple earnings interview, where he noted Apple’s limited near-term demand levers following its exit from the automotive project and slow progress in other categories.
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<h2 id="apple-budget-strategy”>The New Budget Reality
Here’s the thing: Apple’s running out of big, splashy product categories to enter. They pulled out of the car game, their XR headset is a slow burn for a niche audience, and they’ve largely sat out the smart home and wearable ring markets. So what’s left? Basically, squeezing more juice from their existing product lines. A sub-$1,000 Mac makes perfect sense when you look at the competitive landscape. Chromebooks and cheaper Windows machines have been eating Apple’s lunch in the education and budget-conscious markets for years. This could be their answer.
<h2 id="chip-strategy-shift”>The iPhone Chip Gambit
Using an iPhone-class chip instead of an M-series processor is actually pretty clever. Apple’s A-series chips are incredibly powerful and efficient—we’re talking about technology that already rivals some laptop processors. By repurposing this silicon for a budget Mac, Apple can keep costs down while still delivering solid performance. Think about it: they’re leveraging their massive iPhone chip development pipeline for another product category. That’s the kind of synergy that makes accountants very happy. And let’s be real, outperforming the early M1 Macs is no small feat—those machines are still perfectly capable for most people’s daily tasks.
Where This Fits
This isn’t about cannibalizing MacBook Air sales. It’s about creating a new entry point for people who’ve been priced out of the Apple ecosystem. Students, younger users, families buying second computers—these are the targets. The genius move is maintaining that premium aura with the Air and Pro lines while finally competing on price where it matters. I’ve seen the chatter on Twitter from analysts like Ben Bajarin and others who’ve been tracking this possibility. The consensus seems to be that this could finally be the moment Apple gets serious about the budget segment without compromising their brand positioning.
Bigger Picture
Look at what’s happening in tech right now. There’s a massive push toward AI PCs, but that’s mostly happening at the premium end. Meanwhile, companies are still figuring out how to make computing more accessible. This potential budget Mac could arrive right as the AI hype cycle cools and people remember that most computing tasks don’t require the latest neural engine. It’s a back-to-basics approach that might just work. After all, not everyone needs to run complex machine learning models—some people just want a reliable laptop that doesn’t break the bank and works seamlessly with their iPhone.
