The MacRumors Show: Apple's Plan to Launch Low-Cost MacBook With iPhone Chip

Apple is reportedly planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, specifically the A18 Pro chip. This would be the first Mac to use an iPhone chip, differing from Apple's current M-series chips used in other Macs. The new MacBook is expected to have a 13-inch display, come in various colors, and feature the identifier "Mac17,1". Due to the A18 Pro chip, the device is unlikely to have Thunderbolt ports, more than 8GB of unified memory, or support for multiple external displays. Apple may reuse an older design to keep costs down and differentiate it from other MacBooks. The new MacBook could be called simply "MacBook", similar to the iPad lineup. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, mass production is expected to start in late 2025 or early 2026, with a launch in the first half of next year. This move is part of Apple's broader strategy to offer low-cost devices, which is also seen in their iPad and iPhone lineups. The MacRumors Show discusses this development and Apple's device strategy in a recent episode. The show also explores other Apple-related news and topics, and is available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and other platforms.