New 12.9-inch MacBook could be the sleeper hit of the year

Apple’s big product launch season is almost here, with the stars of the show being the iPhone 17 lineup, Apple Watch Ultra 3, the M5 iPad Pro, and more. But there’s another product coming that could be a sleeper hit for Apple: a new 12.9-inch MacBook.

Apple is preparing a more affordable MacBook for release soon

Yesterday my colleague Ben reported that Apple’s forthcoming low-cost MacBook is scheduled to start producing several components soon. Mass assembly will follow in the fourth quarter, with a product launch expected in late 2025 or early 2026.

This MacBook is predicted to cost $599 or $699—substantially lower than the MacBook Air.

It also will come with an iPhone-class A18 Pro chip, rather than Apple’s more powerful M-series.

And the latest report also provided a new detail on screen size: the MacBook will have a 12.9-inch display.

That screen size will be noticeably smaller than the 13.6-inch MacBook Air.

Apple seems to be following its iPad playbook with this new Mac. It’s expanding the Mac lineup so there’s an option for users at a variety of price points.

And I think it might just work.

Why the 12.9-inch MacBook could be a big hit

Even though the $999 MacBook Air is a fantastic value for what you get, that’s still a steep starting price for many.

If you’re shopping for your next computer, the Mac’s higher price tag becomes a non-starter compared to much more affordable competing PCs.

I suspect there are plenty of iPhone owners who are curious about switching from PC to Mac, but have always seen the Mac as, essentially, too rich to take a risk on.

But with this new 12.9-inch MacBook—depending on what the final price is—Apple is opening the Mac to a whole new world of potential users.

And this comes at the same time as macOS Tahoe and iOS 26 will have more in common than ever before.

Apple has sold three billion iPhones. There’s significant potential to grow the Mac user base.

And for the first time with this new MacBook, Apple seems ready to sell the low-cost Mac it has long avoided offering.

The upside is huge.

If the new MacBook ships in time for the holidays, it could make a big splash right out of the gate.

But even if it slips into early 2026, it carries significant potential to be the sleeper hit of Apple’s new year.

Do you think the more affordable MacBook will be a hit? Let us know in the comments.

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