Apple is preparing to release a budget MacBook

The new model, codenamed J700, will be positioned as a budget device aimed at students, entrepreneurs, and everyday users. Its aim is to compete with inexpensive Chromebooks and entry-level Windows PCs, as well as offer an alternative to potential iPad buyers who prefer a traditional laptop.

To reduce costs, less advanced components will be used. Specifically, the device will feature a lower-end LCD display and will be the most compact among modern Macs, with a diagonal just under 13.6 inches, like the MacBook Air.

A key feature will be the use of an iPhone processor, rather than a specialized M-series chip designed for computers. This will be a first for the Mac lineup. Moreover, according to Apple's internal tests, this chip could deliver higher performance than the M1 processor used in the company's laptops just a few years ago.

The device is currently undergoing testing, and the company is preparing to begin production with international suppliers. An announcement is expected in the first half of next year.

Apple's move comes amid the growing popularity of Chromebooks and the potential to attract Windows users, some of whom are unhappy with Microsoft's move to Windows 11, which left them without security updates.