Apple’s upcoming low-cost MacBook could arrive with a feature that was once thought unlikely in this price range: a full metal chassis. According to recent reporting, the company is preparing a more affordable MacBook priced between $700 and $800, and it may retain the aluminum build that has long defined the Mac lineup.
Internally referred to as J700, the new machine is expected to debut as early as next month. The most notable detail is that Apple is reportedly developing a revised manufacturing process to produce metal enclosures more quickly and at lower cost. Rather than switching to plastic to hit a lower price point, the company appears to be refining how it forges aluminum shells. If accurate, this approach would allow Apple to maintain the structural rigidity and premium feel associated with MacBooks while keeping pricing competitive.
Color options may also play a role in positioning the device. Testing reportedly includes shades such as blue, silver, dark gray, light green, light yellow, and pink. A broader palette would align the product more closely with entry-level iPads and iMac models, potentially signaling that this MacBook is aimed at students and first-time buyers rather than creative professionals.
The display is expected to measure under 13 inches, suggesting a compact footprint. That detail has fueled speculation about a possible return to a smaller form factor reminiscent of the 12-inch MacBook introduced in 2015. Whether Apple revisits the tapered wedge design or adopts the flatter aesthetic seen on the MacBook Air remains unclear. Either way, a sub-13-inch MacBook would reintroduce a category Apple has largely abandoned in recent years.
One of the more consequential changes could be under the hood. Instead of using an M-series processor, which currently powers the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro lines, this lower-cost MacBook may feature an iPhone-class A-series chip. Such a move would mark a departure from Apple’s recent strategy of unifying Macs around Apple silicon M-series chips. An A-series processor could reduce costs and energy consumption, but performance expectations would need to be recalibrated. For web browsing, document editing, and streaming, it would likely be sufficient. Demanding creative workloads would remain the domain of higher-end machines.
The possibility of cellular connectivity has also been raised, particularly as Apple continues developing its own modem technology. While built-in cellular on a MacBook is not confirmed and remains speculative, a lower-cost device could serve as a testing ground for such features before they appear in MacBook Pro models.
Apple is expected to target the education and enterprise markets with this low-cost MacBook. In those segments, durability, battery life, and long-term software support often matter more than peak performance. The device would also enter a competitive landscape that includes Windows on Arm laptops powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X-series chips. Performance comparisons will ultimately determine how compelling Apple’s offering is in real-world use.
If Apple can deliver a sub-$800 MacBook with an all-metal build, compact design, and efficient chip, it would fill a gap in its current lineup. The company has not offered a truly budget-friendly laptop in years. This new MacBook could broaden access to macOS while maintaining the hardware standards that have become associated with the brand.
