According to Techmeme, Apple is testing a new low-cost Mac priced under $1,000 that uses iPhone-class chips instead of M-series processors. The device reportedly still outperforms early M1 Macs while expanding Apple’s entry-level Mac lineup without hurting Air and Pro average selling prices. Analyst Austin Lyons suggests this could be the long-rumored everyday low-priced MacBook that Apple has been hesitant to release. The development comes as Apple has pulled out of automotive projects, slow-rolled its XR headset strategy, and avoided entering smart-home and wearable ring categories.
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The budget mac play
Here’s the thing – Apple‘s been playing in the premium space for so long that they’ve basically ceded the entire entry-level laptop market to Chromebooks and cheap Windows machines. A sub-$1,000 Mac that actually performs well? That changes everything. And using iPhone chips instead of M-series processors is actually brilliant. They’ve already got the manufacturing scale and expertise from producing hundreds of millions of iPhone chips annually. This isn’t about creating something new – it’s about repurposing existing technology for a different market segment.
Who loses here
If Apple actually releases a competent $800 MacBook, the entire Chromebook ecosystem should be terrified. Schools and budget-conscious consumers who’ve been making do with Chrome OS might suddenly find Apple within reach. Even lower-end Windows laptops from Dell, HP, and Lenovo would face pressure. The education market alone represents millions of potential units that Apple has largely ignored because their products were too expensive. Now imagine a Mac that costs about the same as a higher-end Chromebook but runs full macOS and outperforms base M1 machines. That’s a compelling proposition.
What this says about apple
Look, Apple’s been struggling to find growth levers. The auto project is dead. Vision Pro is a niche product for enthusiasts with deep pockets. iPhone sales are mature. So where do they go? Basically, they’re looking at their existing product lines and asking “where can we find new customers?” The answer seems to be: people who want a Mac but can’t afford one. This isn’t about cannibalizing existing sales – it’s about expanding the total addressable market. And by using iPhone chips, they can keep costs down without sacrificing too much performance. Smart move, honestly.
Why this matters for buyers
For the average consumer, this could be huge. Right now, if you want a new Mac, you’re starting at $999 for a base MacBook Air – and that’s before taxes and any upgrades. A truly sub-$1,000 machine that might actually start at $799 or $899? That puts Apple back in the conversation for students, families, and anyone who’s been priced out of the ecosystem. The fact that it reportedly outperforms early M1 Macs means it wouldn’t feel like a compromised experience either. After years of watching Mac prices creep upward, we might finally see Apple moving in the opposite direction. And honestly, it’s about time.
