Main article about the rumors of a low-cost Macbook here [0], this is a related article confirming that recent code supports the existence of said MacBook.
Apple has long sought to get back into the education market is once ruled before it was decimated by the launch of the Chromebook. A low-cost, plastic Macbook with stripped down features only available to the EDU market wouldn't be a bad play. They made EDU-only models before (sold the white Macbook long after it left general availability), and the A18 Pro chip has similar single-core performance to the M4 so if they can get the rest of the cost down it might be a hit.
I was wondering if this was going to happen after we saw the iPad with the M chip in it.
But this does make me wonder, how much of a difference is there really between the A chips and the M chips. Clearly they are similar enough if either can run iPadOS or Mac. Or is this a case of the operating systems having shared components that make this easier?
But then it does beg the question, why have the distinction in the first place if they are going to use the chips in other hardware. Originally I thought the distinction was that the M series was meant to not give the impression that the Mac line was "underpowered" running mobile chips like on the iPhone.
> But then it does beg the question, why have the distinction in the first place if they are going to use the chips in other hardware. Originally I thought the distinction was that the M series was meant to not give the impression that the Mac line was "underpowered" running mobile chips like on the iPhone.
I suspect that was the original intention. My understanding is that the higher end M chips are essentially multiple lower end M chips glued together. I suspect that the jump from A-series to M-series is similar.
Apple has previously said they want a large user base (hence why they are giving upcoming OS26 to older devices) as they are seeking to maximise the sales of software, accessories and subscriptions.
The more apple devices in circulation, the more 30% cut from App Store, Ai Services, apple TV, music,games, earbuds and everything else.
They are now like a video games console maker selling games and accessories, except unlike console makers, they don't sell the device for an initial loss but profit.
Main article about the rumors of a low-cost Macbook here [0], this is a related article confirming that recent code supports the existence of said MacBook.
Apple has long sought to get back into the education market is once ruled before it was decimated by the launch of the Chromebook. A low-cost, plastic Macbook with stripped down features only available to the EDU market wouldn't be a bad play. They made EDU-only models before (sold the white Macbook long after it left general availability), and the A18 Pro chip has similar single-core performance to the M4 so if they can get the rest of the cost down it might be a hit.
[0]: https://www.macrumors.com/2025/06/30/apple-to-launch-low-cos...
I hope that picture isn't accurate. First thought was those bendgate iPhone 6's that were similarly thin without good structural engineering.
That's the current gen MacBook Air in that photo.
I was wondering if this was going to happen after we saw the iPad with the M chip in it.
But this does make me wonder, how much of a difference is there really between the A chips and the M chips. Clearly they are similar enough if either can run iPadOS or Mac. Or is this a case of the operating systems having shared components that make this easier?
But then it does beg the question, why have the distinction in the first place if they are going to use the chips in other hardware. Originally I thought the distinction was that the M series was meant to not give the impression that the Mac line was "underpowered" running mobile chips like on the iPhone.
Singe core scores between the A18 Pro and M4 are pretty identical, it's the multicore and GPU where the M series excels
https://browser.geekbench.com/v6/cpu/8650702
https://browser.geekbench.com/v6/cpu/11020192
> But then it does beg the question, why have the distinction in the first place if they are going to use the chips in other hardware. Originally I thought the distinction was that the M series was meant to not give the impression that the Mac line was "underpowered" running mobile chips like on the iPhone.
I suspect that was the original intention. My understanding is that the higher end M chips are essentially multiple lower end M chips glued together. I suspect that the jump from A-series to M-series is similar.
How does it beg the question?
Apple has previously said they want a large user base (hence why they are giving upcoming OS26 to older devices) as they are seeking to maximise the sales of software, accessories and subscriptions.
The more apple devices in circulation, the more 30% cut from App Store, Ai Services, apple TV, music,games, earbuds and everything else.
They are now like a video games console maker selling games and accessories, except unlike console makers, they don't sell the device for an initial loss but profit.
Does this mean some enterprising hackers might be able to run macOS on an iPhone some day?
I just hope they don't look like the last gen Macbooks they looked awful, I like the aesthetic of the Macbook Air.