New 13-inch MacBook with A18 Pro chip may account for up to 28% of Apple’s sales next year

Apple is preparing to disrupt its MacBook lineup with a bold new move: launching a budget-friendly MacBook powered not by the traditional M-series silicon, but by an iPhone chip.

Renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed that the tech giant plans to debut a 13-inch MacBook equipped with the A18 Pro chip — the same processor used in the iPhone 16 Pro. This marks a dramatic shift from Apple’s usual approach of loading its laptops with M-series chips optimised for multitasking, pro-grade memory, and external display capabilities.

Kuo shared the news via an article on X, igniting a flurry of speculation about Apple’s long-term strategy in a stagnating PC market. He noted that mass production is expected to begin in late Q4 2025 or early Q1 2026, with the device targeting entry-level buyers and students.

Despite the lower cost, Apple isn’t cutting back on colour options. The MacBook will reportedly arrive in Silver, Blue, Pink, and Yellow — bright finishes designed to mirror the iPhone and iPad aesthetic, appealing especially to younger consumers.

If the gamble pays off, Apple hopes this A18-powered MacBook could account for 20–28% of its MacBook sales in 2026. That would represent a significant volume shift away from premium M-series machines, hinting at a broader diversification in Apple’s product ecosystem.

The move comes amid slower global demand for laptops and increasing competition from Windows-based manufacturers in the sub-$1,000 segment. Analysts believe Apple’s decision reflects a desire to maintain Mac relevance in emerging markets and education sectors, without cannibalising its higher-end offerings.

“This is a strategic reset,” said tech commentator Leena Rowe. “Apple is trying to unlock a new layer of buyers who want Apple hardware but can’t justify a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. It’s a big deal — and a big risk.”

One key beneficiary of the launch is Chinese manufacturing firm Everwin Precision, confirmed as a major supplier for the new MacBook’s chassis. The company is expected to see a revenue boost as the device enters production in late 2025.

While the A18 Pro chip is powerful by mobile standards, concerns remain about performance limitations compared to M-series processors. The A18 offers fewer CPU and GPU cores, and supports less RAM and fewer external display configurations.

Still, Apple may be banking on its tight integration between macOS and silicon to deliver an efficient experience for casual users — students, writers, and web users who don’t need pro-grade performance.

Kuo’s announcement has already sparked lively debate among Apple fans and tech analysts alike. Some praise the move as a democratising step for Apple computing, while others fear it could dilute the MacBook brand’s performance reputation.

Apple has not officially confirmed the new model, but the company’s recent history suggests a pattern: aggressive diversification across iPhone and iPad lines, expanding into new form factors and price points to capture wider demographics.

If successful, the A18 MacBook could herald a new chapter in Apple’s chip strategy — unifying more of its ecosystem under the mobile-first performance envelope. And with the company’s 2026 roadmap already taking shape, this machine could redefine what a “MacBook” means in the Apple era.