According to Bloomberg, the new laptop - codenamed J700 - is currently undergoing testing and early production with suppliers.

It’s expected to arrive in the first half of 2026, targeting students, schools, and casual users who primarily browse the web, stream media, or work in productivity apps.

Unlike the premium MacBook Air and MacBook Pro lines, Apple’s low-cost Mac will reportedly use less advanced components, including an iPhone processor - either the A18 or A19 - and a smaller LCD display slightly under 13 inches.

This would mark the first time Apple has used a smartphone chip in a Mac, though internal benchmarks reportedly show the chip outperforming the M1, Apple’s first-generation Mac silicon from 2020.

The supposed laptop will reportedly be priced under $1,000, positioning it closer to Chromebooks and affordable Windows devices.

It could also attract iPad users looking for a traditional keyboard-based experience, offering better battery life and macOS versatility in a similar price range.

The move comes as Apple faces slowing growth in the Mac division and increased competition from low-cost PC makers.

Analysts say a cheaper Mac could help expand Apple’s nine per cent global PC market share, particularly in education and enterprise sectors, where Google’s Chromebooks have dominated for years.

If successful, the new model could redefine Apple’s laptop strategy - balancing its hallmark design and ecosystem integration with mass-market accessibility for the first time.