Apple’s ‘Chromebook Killer’ Budget Mac Is Coming: Sub-$1,000 Price, iPhone Chip Inside, and a 2026 Launch Window
Apple’s low‑cost Mac: what’s new and why it matters Apple is preparing to enter the budget laptop market for the first time, seeking to lure buyers away from Chromebooks and entry‑level Windows PCs. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports the project is code‑named J700 and aimed squarely at education, casual use, and cost‑conscious businesses. Bloomberg+1 Several details stand out: Bloomberg also notes the device is in active testing at Apple and early production with overseas suppliers, with an H1‑2026 window targeted—timed to coincide with refreshed MacBook Air and Pro models on newer M‑series silicon. Bloomberg+1 Designed for education—and to blunt Chromebook momentum
