A $599 MacBook could actually be coming – and even as a hardened Windows fan, I’d be tempted to take the plunge

• Apple’s affordable MacBook has again been rumored
• This time we’re told the price could be as cheap as $599
• The apparent idea is for Apple to ‘shake up the notebook market’ and also offset any price increase for the MacBook Air (caused by inflation)

Apple’s low-cost MacBook, which was recently supposed to be in the works, is once again the focus of rumors. This time, we’ve heard that it might cost as little as $599.

Wccftech brought attention to a post on X by leaker Jukan (see below), which broadcasts a DigiTimes report that reaches out to Asian supply chain sources and provides some new information on the aforementioned MacBook.

Report: Exclusive: Apple reportedly preparing US$599 MacBook to capture more laptop market share

Apple is preparing to shake up the notebook market with an all-new ultra-low-cost MacBook, according to supply chain sources. Some components are expected to enter mass production by… pic.twitter.com/UTIC94Kjsb

— Jukan (@Jukanlosreve) August 11, 2025

According to reports, the MacBook will retail for between $599 and $699 in the United States. Additionally, some of the components will be manufactured in Q3 of this year, possibly almost immediately, before the notebooks are assembled near the end of 2025.

Although this recent claim even cites the possibility of a commercial launch late in 2025, I don’t think that’s plausible (unless it’s referring to an initial reveal, possibly). This is ahead of a rumored debut in (early) 2026.

Using an iPhone chip as the processor is one of the primary ways Apple plans to keep the price of this alleged MacBook low, as we have previously been informed. According to DigiTimes, the laptop will have a 12.9-inch screen and a CPU that is reportedly the A18 Pro. It will be smaller than the MacBook Air.

Analysis: Laptop quake

According to the rumor, Apple plans to “shake up the notebook market” with this “ultra-low-cost MacBook,” and if the price drops to $599, the laptop market will undoubtedly undergo a dramatic change.

It goes without saying that this is only a rumor. In addition, the price range we have ($599 to $699) suggests that Apple hasn’t made up its mind yet, which is probably the case. If this less expensive MacBook is ever going to happen at all, which seems much more plausible now that we’re hearing about it again. There will probably be a significant amount of supply chain-based spillage in the near future to support all of this if the speculations around Q3 component output are accurate.

DigiTimes clarifies that the target market for this hypothetical MacBook is the larger market, not the education sector or Chromebooks. Apple hopes to offset the MacBook Air’s possible price increase (due to inflation) with this less expensive product.

Apple is undoubtedly trying to make sure that trend doesn’t reappear because Mac sales saw significant swaying last year. Instead, the company wants to keep things moving in the right direction. In contrast to the poor sales in the same quarter of 2024, Apple’s fiscal Q3 saw a reversal in Mac sales.

Regardless of the rationale behind Apple’s production of this inexpensive MacBook, if it is truly priced at $599, it will be an extremely alluring product. In fact, even though I’ve always purchased Windows PCs and laptops, this notebook might finally persuade me to purchase a macOS device.

To be honest, the price of MacBooks has deterred me up until now, but perhaps that will change next year. It’s either that or an entry-level Mac mini. Given that an MSRP of $599 will result in some very alluring sales discounts (or with refurbs, especially), I’m eager to try Apple’s computing universe if the price is right.