Apple is reportedly developing a low-cost MacBook that could launch later this year, featuring an A18 Pro chipset and 8GB of unified memory. This move would mark a significant shift from Apple's current M-series APUs used in the MacBook Air lineup, which currently starts at $999.

The budget notebook is expected to target Chromebook competitors with its sub-13-inch form factor and potentially colorful aluminum shell designs. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple's engineering team is experimenting with vibrant color options including light yellow, light green, blue, pink, silver, and dark gray.

This rumored device represents Apple's strategy to expand into the budget laptop market while maintaining its premium design language. The use of A-series chips instead of M-series processors suggests Apple aims to reduce production costs without compromising performance for everyday tasks. A dedicated launch event is anticipated, possibly as early as March 2026.