Analyst Jeff Pu's investor report reveals that Apple is gearing up to release its inaugural budget-friendly MacBook in the first quarter of 2026, marking a significant stride in broadening its reach in the entry-level notebook sector. The standout feature of this new model is its pioneering use of an iPhone chip—the A18 Pro (the very same chip found in the 2024 iPhone 16 Pro)—within the Mac lineup. Built on TSMC's second-generation 3nm process, this chip boasts a 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine, fully compatible with Apple Intelligence features. Geekbench 6 benchmarks indicate that its single-core performance is nearly on par with the M3 Ultra, while its multi-core prowess outshines the first-generation M1 chip. Its GPU capabilities are on a level with the M1, ensuring seamless handling of everyday tasks like document editing, web surfing, 4K video playback, and light photo editing. The chip also upholds Apple's legacy of energy efficiency, sporting a fanless design that eases thermal management demands on the device. Coupled with a high-capacity battery, it promises a video playback duration of 15-18 hours, rivaling that of the MacBook Air.

As for the display, the device comes with an LCD screen measuring less than 13.6 inches. Its resolution and color gamut are tailored to meet everyday usage requirements, albeit without the ProMotion high-refresh-rate display seen in the Pro series. The laptop's design emphasizes portability, with a thickness akin to the MacBook Air (0.44 inches) and a weight ranging from approximately 1.1 to 1.3kg. It is offered in four stylish colors: silver, blue, pink, and yellow, all crafted from aluminum alloy.

In terms of connectivity, the laptop is equipped with a single USB-C port that handles both charging and data transfer, though it lacks MagSafe wireless charging support. It also features Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, catering to fundamental connectivity needs. The base model includes 8GB of RAM, with an upgrade option to 16GB, and storage is anticipated to start at 128GB.

When it comes to pricing, multiple sources affirm that the starting price will be significantly below $1,000, with estimates ranging from $499 to $799. The Chinese domestic version is expected to kick off at around 4,000 yuan.