12.9-Inch Low-Cost MacBook With A18 Pro Arriving 2026

• TrendForce says Apple will introduce a 12.9-inch, entry-to-mid-range MacBook in spring 2026.
• The model is expected to use an A18 Pro-derived chip (from iPhone 16 Pro) and target a $599–$899 U.S. price band, likely $699 or $799.
• Rumors point to 8GB base RAM, no Thunderbolt support, and a thin, ultra-light design similar to the old 12-inch MacBook.

What TrendForce and other sources reported

Taiwanese research firm TrendForce said in a recent press release that Apple plans a 12.9-inch MacBook aimed at the entry-level to mid-range market with "competitive pricing" in spring 2026.

The report aligns with earlier supply-chain leaks from analyst Ming‑Chi Kuo and Taiwanese outlets such as DigiTimes suggesting a smaller, lower-cost laptop headed to market this year.

Chip and performance expectations

The new MacBook is expected to use a version of the A18 Pro system-on-chip — the same family as the iPhone 16 Pro's A18 Pro. Published specs for the A18 Pro list a 6‑core CPU, 6‑core GPU, and a 16‑core Neural Engine.

Those figures suggest CPU and GPU performance roughly comparable to Apple’s M1-era chips, which could make the device a practical replacement for the now-aging M1 MacBook Air in Apple's lower-cost lineup.

Design, memory and I/O limits

Multiple reports say the machine will use a 12.9-inch display — a size familiar from recent iPad Air and iPad Pro models — rather than the MacBook Air’s 13.6-inch panel.

Analysts expect an ultra-thin, lightweight chassis in the spirit of the discontinued 12-inch MacBook. Color options floated by Kuo include silver, blue, pink and yellow, hinting at brighter finishes.

Tradeoffs to expect

To hit the lower price point, Apple may offer just 8GB of base RAM and omit Thunderbolt support. That would mean standard USB‑C ports with slower data transfer and more limited external display capabilities compared with current MacBook Air and Pro models.

In the U.S., reported entry pricing ranges from $599 to $899, with $699–$799 seen as most likely. If accurate, the device would sit below the $999 MacBook Air and could give Apple a clearer budget-tier Mac offering.

What to watch next

Apple has not confirmed these details. Watch for announcements or supply‑chain updates in the coming months ahead of an expected March–April 2026 release window.

Key signs to look for are official pricing, confirmation of A18 Pro variants for macOS, RAM and storage options, and whether Thunderbolt remains excluded from the entry model.