Apple Starts Price War: Apple Budget Macbook Delivers Final Blow To Chromebook

IPhone-Chipped New Model Arrives: Company Aims For Pc Market Hegemony With Radical, Cost-Cutting Design

CUPERTINO, USA – Apple, one of the world’s largest technology giants, is preparing to make an aggressive entry into a market segment it has long avoided: the low-cost laptop category. The company is set to launch its new Apple Budget MacBook—designed for students and everyday users—with a fiercely competitive price tag. This radical strategic move aims to attract new users into the Apple ecosystem and fundamentally break the dominance of Chromebooks and entry-level Windows PCs.

⚙️ RADICAL DESIGN TO LOWER COSTS

According to reports from Bloomberg, the device, codenamed J700, is currently in the active testing phase at Apple’s Cupertino headquarters. Production is already in its early stages with the company’s overseas suppliers.

• Price Target: The new model’s price is expected to be under the $1,000 mark, undercutting the current cheapest M4 MacBook Air, which sells for $999 in the U.S.
• Technical Compromise: Apple made a radical decision to slash costs. This new Mac model will run on an iPhone processor instead of a dedicated computer chip (M series). This marks the first time Apple will use such a chip in a Mac model. However, internal company tests indicate that this iPhone chip still outperforms the M1 chip used a few years ago.
• Screen Specifications: The device will feature a screen slightly smaller than the current 13.6-inch MacBook Air. It will also utilize a lower-quality LCD screen to maintain its cost advantage.

📈 COMPETITION AND ECOSYSTEM PLAY

Apple currently holds the fourth position in the global PC market with a 9% share, trailing Lenovo, HP, and Dell. The Apple Budget MacBook move is critical for expanding its market share:

• New User Acquisition: The iPhone holds massive dominance in the U.S. Therefore, a more affordable Mac model can potentially lock in Chromebook-using students and Windows PC users to the Apple ecosystem, leveraging advantages like macOS flexibility and superior battery life.
• Market Placement: The new model will sit in the price bracket that competes with the iPad + Magic Keyboard Folio combination (around $600), but its full macOS flexibility will make it a more compelling option.
• Market Growth: Apple’s Mac segment grew by 13% last quarter, generating $8.73 billion in revenue. This new model is designed to provide or maintain strong momentum beyond the current quarter, where growth is expected to slow.

📅 FUTURE PLANS: M6 AND OLED SCREENS

Apple is also working on an ambitious refresh plan for the Mac segment throughout 2026.

• New Chip Series: The company plans to release M5 MacBook Air models, MacBook Pros with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, and new M5 Mac mini models.
• OLED Touch Screen: Furthermore, reports indicate that Apple is developing a new MacBook Pro with an M6 chip and an iPhone-style OLED touch screen, expected to be introduced in late 2026 or early 2027.

The Apple Budget MacBook symbolizes a significant shift in Apple’s market strategy regarding both pricing and hardware architecture.