Apple Plans Low-Cost MacBook With A18 Pro Chip and 8GB RAM for Spring 2026

Summary

It has been reported that Apple is developing a low-cost laptop with an A18 Pro chip that is expected to have 8GB of memory and will target users who want a non-premium laptop experience. It will likely sell for between $700-$800.

The purported MacBook is said to be powered by the A18 Pro chipset, which Apple introduced with the iPhone 16 Pro models in 2024. The SoC is described as having a hexa-core CPU, a hexa-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine, architecture similar to the M1 MacBook Air.

In terms of memory and inputs, the laptop is expected to offer 8GB of RAM and USB Type-C ports rather than Thunderbolt, which would limit data transfer speeds and external display options compared with higher-end models.

The device would undercut the price of the new entry-level MacBook Air by an estimated $300 and may be available sometime during Spring of 2026.

A Mirror Daily report (in Korean) cites confidence in strong sales and says Apple plans to ship about 8 million units, representing as much as 30 percent of the company’s MacBook sales in 2025.

According to the same report, rising memory prices have not altered Apple’s plan for the low-cost MacBook. The publication notes that the device is still positioned to enter the market at a price point designed to appeal to a broader audience.

Supply Chain, Specs and Timeline

Details circulated by Mirror Daily describe the supply chain for the device, with Taiwanese contract manufacturer Quanta said to contribute to more than half of total supply, and Foxconn in a secondary role. The first batch of orders may comprise around 2.3 million units, according to the publication.

Allegedly the MacBook uses a 2024 version of Apple's A18 Pro chip, as found in the iPhone 16 Pro. The soc has six cores for both the CPU and GPU, with a 16-core Neural Engine — resembling the architecture of the M1 MacBook Air.

The amount of memory available on this laptop should be limited to only 8 GB of RAM; therefore you'll have USB Type-C ports Vs Thunderbolt, which means both slower data transfers and fewer external displays will be supported than in higher-end models.

On performance and battery life, the report hints at strong battery life for the entry model, though no exact figures are provided.

The device is positioned to target the entry-to-mid-range segment of laptops, with a Spring 2026 launch window expected between March and May.

Mass production for the componentry was previously pegged for Q3 2025, with full ecosystem assembly slated before the end of 2025, according to earlier expectations.

Specifications Overview

• Chip: A18 Pro
• RAM: 8GB
• Ports: USB Type-C (no Thunderbolt)
• Price target: $699–$799
• Launch window: Spring 2026 (March–May)
• First batch orders: ~2.3 million units
• Estimated total shipments: ~8 million units
• Supply chain share: Quanta >50%, Foxconn secondary

The report also notes that the proposed price positioning could undercut the entry-level MacBook Air by as much as $300, aligning with Apple’s long-standing goal to broaden affordability without sacrificing essential performance.

Previous reports place mass production for the project in the latter part of 2025, with full ecosystem assembly to follow before year-end.

While no official confirmation has been issued, the Mirror Daily report frames these points as current expectations in the supply chain and among Apple observers.