Apple Unveils Affordable $599 MacBook Air for Casual Users and Students

According to recent reports, Apple is working on a new, more affordable MacBook Air that is expected to launch in the near future. The laptop, codenamed J700, is currently in early production and is rumored to be priced at around $599, allowing Apple to directly compete with budget-friendly laptops like Chromebooks and entry-level Windows PCs.

To keep the costs down, the new MacBook Air is said to feature a smaller 12-inch display, a downgrade from the current 13.6-inch model. Additionally, Apple plans to use an A-series iPhone chip, which may be a variant of the A19 Pro chip found in the latest iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air. This chip is claimed to offer MacBook-level performance, though it falls short of the top-tier performance of the current M-series chips used in the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.

The affordable MacBook Air is being designed with casual users, students, and businesses in mind, targeting individuals who need a device primarily for web browsing, light media editing, and document creation. Apple is also eyeing the education market and iPad buyers who may want a traditional laptop.

While this move represents a significant departure from Apple's previous strategy of targeting the higher-end laptop market, it could be a timely and imperative decision given the current economic climate, where consumer wallets are under pressure from factors like inflation, high tariffs, and layoffs.