Apple might finally be ready to shake up its Mac lineup in a way we haven’t seen in years.
According to a new report from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, Apple is preparing to unveil its long-rumored low-cost MacBook at an event in March. And yes, it may come in what he describes as “fun colors.”
If that sounds familiar, it should. This feels like Apple revisiting the playful energy of the iMac era, but in laptop form.
An iPhone chip inside a Mac
The biggest twist here is what’s powering this machine.
Instead of using traditional Mac-optimized Apple Silicon like the M-series chips, Apple is reportedly going with the A18 Pro, the same chip found in the iPhone 16 lineup.
At first glance, that might sound like a downgrade, but context matters. The A18 Pro was the first iPhone chip to truly brush up against the performance of the original M1 in real-world scenarios. For everyday tasks like browsing, writing, streaming, and light productivity, it should be more than capable.
This is not a MacBook Pro replacement. It is a strategic entry-level device designed to pull more people into the Mac ecosystem.
Slightly smaller, still aluminum
The upcoming MacBook is expected to feature a display slightly under 13 inches, with earlier reports suggesting 12.9 inches. That would position it just below the current MacBook Air in size.
Interestingly, Apple is not cutting corners with plastic. Instead, the company has reportedly developed a new aluminum shell manufacturing process that is faster and more cost-effective than what is currently used for MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models.
That is important. Even at a lower price point, Apple clearly does not want this device to feel cheap.
About those “fun colors”
Here is where things get interesting.
Gurman says Apple has tested color options including:
- Light yellow
- Light green
- Blue
- Pink
- Classic silver
- Dark gray
He did not confirm which ones will make the final cut, but if Apple leans into brighter finishes, this could become the most personality-driven Mac in years.
And honestly, that might be the point.
A $699 MacBook in soft pastel colors feels less like a spec machine and more like a lifestyle product aimed at students, casual users, and first-time Mac buyers.
A new market push
With reports of high-end models like M5 Pro and OLED MacBook Pros on the horizon, this low-cost MacBook represents a very different strategy. Instead of pushing performance ceilings higher, Apple appears focused on expanding downward to capture more market share.
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If the rumored $699 price holds, this would be Apple’s most aggressive Mac pricing in a long time.
For users who love the Apple ecosystem but found MacBooks just a bit out of reach, this could be the tipping point.
And if it really launches next month, we will not have to wait long to see whether Apple’s colorful gamble pays off.
