Apple is reportedly planning a product launch event in March 2026, where a more affordable MacBook is expected to be the main highlight.
However, sharp increases in the cost of key components — especially memory — are making it challenging to maintain a truly budget-friendly price point. While initial rumors suggested a starting price as low as $599, more recent estimates now point to a range of $699 to $749.
Aaron Lee and Emily Kuo for DigiTimes Asia:
Mass production was originally slated to begin in late 2025 but has since been pushed back to the first quarter of 2026, with volume ramping in March. Quanta Computer is expected to be the primary assembler, with Foxconn joining at a later stage. Supply chain estimates put Apple’s projected shipments at 15–16 million units over two years, with the first year potentially exceeding 8 million units. Critics, however, caution that these figures may be overly optimistic.
Components are getting more expensive, and unless specifications are downgraded, price hikes may be unavoidable. Since pricing is closely tied to sales volume, a less-than-affordable budget MacBook could meaningfully dent sales.
With costs climbing, the affordability of the “budget” MacBook is increasingly in question. Early rumors pointed to a US$599 price tag, close to the record low once seen for the M1 MacBook Air at Walmart.
Most estimates now place it between US$699 and US$749. For context, Apple’s lowest-priced MacBook Air M4 starts at US$999, or US$899 with an education discount. Where Apple sets the price will directly affect the MacBook Air lineup, whose core positioning overlaps with the budget model.
MacDailyNews Take: $699 has to be the absolute highest starting price possible for a “budget” MacBook. And, it’d be suboptimal. For reference, Mac mini, Apple’s least expensive Mac, currently starts at $499. The success, or failure, of a new low-end MacBook hinges almost totally on Apple’s price tag:
• $599 to start would mean a huge success.
• $699? Meh.
• A $749 starting price would be a nonstarter; Apple shouldn’t even bother at that price.
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