Apple plans a low-cost MacBook release, targeting students with prices from $599

Apple is preparing to launch a new affordable MacBook in early March 2026. This laptop will be colorful, lightweight, and made especially for students, families, and people who want a budget-friendly option. It may cost between $599 and $799, which is much cheaper than the $999 MacBook Air. You can think of it as Apple’s version of a Chromebook  but with a better design and the usual Mac features people like.

A low-cost MacBook and two Studio Displays have been leaked by Apple.

References to these products were discovered in the latest macOS 26.3 update, which seemingly confirms they are releasing in March. pic.twitter.com/ivRBNNl4mR

— AppleTrack (@appltrack) February 20, 2026

The launch might happen at Apple’s big event on March 4 in places like New York, London, and Shanghai. Or they could just share a press release. Reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and expert Ming-Chi Kuo say factories are making it now. It’s called J700 inside Apple. This fills a spot in Apple’s lineup below the Air but above cheap iPads.

The body is made of strong aluminum, like the MacBook Air. It feels premium but costs less to build, thanks to a new, fast way to make it. The screen is a bit under 13 inches, maybe 12.9 inches. It’s a simple LCD type, not fancy like mini-LED or OLED. Brightness is around 500 nits, good for indoors. Colors are sharp but not super wide like pro models no ProMotion smooth refresh. This keeps the price down while staying clear for schoolwork.​

What makes it stand out are the bright colors. Apple tested light yellow, light green, blue, pink, silver, and dark gray. Not everyone will sell, but at least four fun shades like yellow, blue, pink, and silver. It’s the most colorful MacBook since the old iBooks in the 90s, with names like Tangerine. These shades will attract kids and schools looking for something lively.

Inside, it runs the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro. This is new for Macs; they usually use M chips. The A18 Pro is tiny at 3nm, with 6 CPU cores: four for speed and two to save power. It has 6 GPU cores for graphics and a 16-core Neural Engine for AI. In tests, it scores about 3450 on single tasks and 8500 on multi ones. That’s better than the old M1 and close to M4 for quick jobs. Perfect for browsing the web, making docs, watching videos, light photo or video tweaks, and Apple Intelligence features like smart writing help.

It won’t handle super tough stuff like 4K movie edits, 3D art, or big games well. But for daily school or home use, it’s smooth like a larger iPad with full Mac apps. Battery lasts up to 24 hours on one charge, thanks to the chip’s low power use. Great for long days without plugging in.​

Specs are basic to stay cheap. RAM starts at 8GB, enough for AI, maybe upgrade to 16GB. It will likely come with 128GB or 256GB of storage. That is less than the MacBook Air, but it should be enough if you mostly save your files in the cloud. The ports are simple. It may have a few USB-C ports with good speed and a headphone jack, but no Thunderbolt support. You can connect only one extra screen. All of this helps keep the laptop slim, light, and easy to carry in a bag.

Public reactions on (X) Twitter show strong excitement about the upcoming Studio Display.

One user joked about walking home with their new display as soon as it becomes available, showing eagerness to buy it right away.

Another user said they plan to order two displays immediately, which reflects high enthusiasm and strong interest in the product.

A third user praised the amazing colors and said they cannot wait for the release date, highlighting excitement about the display’s visual quality.

Price hits sweet spots. $599 matches top Chromebooks. $699 or $799 feels worth it for Apple quality. Like the iPhone 16e at a similar cost. Won’t steal from iPad Air ($599 with older chip). Schools buy tons now—Apple could sell millions, up to 25% of Mac sales.​

This MacBook changes things. It brings macOS to more people cheaply. Mixes pretty colors, solid speed, long battery, and easy price. Ideal for leaving old Windows laptops behind. Rumors say strong demand ahead if real, it’s a win for Apple fans on budgets.