Apple to Reintroduce Beloved 12.9-inch MacBook for cheaper

Rumors point to a dramatic return of a larger-screen, consumer-focused MacBook, potentially reshaping the laptop market this year.

August 27, 2025 — In a move that has sent shockwaves through the tech community, Apple is reportedly planning to launch a new 12.9-inch MacBook before the end of the year, with a starting price that seems almost un-Apple-like: $599. According to a recent report from noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, cited by MacRumors, this new model could mark Apple’s most aggressive play for the education and budget-conscious consumer market in years.

This new machine would represent the triumphant return of the 12.9-inch form factor to the MacBook lineup, a size absent since the discontinuation of the 12-inch MacBook in 2019. However, unlike its ultra-thin, single-port predecessor, this new model is expected to be a modern reimagining designed for mass appeal.

Contents hide

1 A Strategic Masterstroke

1.1 What to Expect: Design and Features

1.2 Is Apple releasing a new MacBook in 2025?

1.3 Is the MacBook M5 coming?

1.4 Should I get M4 or M4 Pro?

1.5 Is there a new MacBook coming out in 2026?

1.5.1 Market Impact and Consumer Choice

1.5.2 The Bottom Line

A Strategic Masterstroke

The rumored $599 price point is the story’s most staggering element. Apple’s most affordable laptop currently is the M1 MacBook Air, which starts at $999—a full $400 more. This aggressive pricing suggests several key strategies:

Direct Competition with Chromebooks: Apple has long ceded the low-cost education market to Google’s Chromebooks and lower-end Windows PCs. A sub-$600 MacBook would be a direct assault on this territory, offering schools and students the full macOS experience at a highly competitive price.
Expanding the Ecosystem: By lowering the entry barrier to a Mac, Apple can pull more first-time users into its ecosystem, potentially leading to future sales of iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and services.
Clearing Inventory for New Chips: Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo speculates the device will be powered by the Apple M2 chip. Utilizing a previous-generation processor allows Apple to capitalize on its existing supply while making room for M3 and M4 chips in its higher-end Pro and Air models.

What to Expect: Design and Features

While official specifications are still under wraps, industry analysis and the report provide clues about what this new MacBook will entail.

Display: The centerpiece will be a 12.9-inch LCD display, notably without the premium mini-LED technology found in the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro lines. This is a key cost-saving measure that allows for the stunning low price.
Processor: The laptop is expected to be equipped with the Apple M2 chip. While not the latest silicon, the M2 remains a powerhouse for everyday tasks, handily outperforming any Intel-based MacBook and most competitors in this price range. It will provide more than enough speed for web browsing, document editing, video streaming, and light creative work.
Design Language: It is anticipated to adopt the design language of the current MacBook Air, featuring a flat-edged chassis, a Magic Keyboard with a Touch ID sensor, and likely a pair of USB-C ports.

Is Apple releasing a new MacBook in 2025?

Based on the latest rumors and reports from reliable analysts like Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is indeed expected to release a new MacBook model in 2025. The most talked-about release is a new, budget-friendly 12.9-inch MacBook, potentially starting at an aggressive price point of $599. This model is anticipated to be powered by the M2 chip and feature an LCD display, representing Apple’s strategic move to compete in the education and entry-level consumer markets. Beyond this, it is also highly likely that we will see updates to the high-end MacBook Pro line later in the year, which could introduce new M4 Pro and M4 Max chips, following Apple’s typical refresh cycle for its professional notebooks.

Is the MacBook M5 coming?

The MacBook M5 is not expected to arrive in the immediate future. Apple follows a fairly consistent annual to biennial cycle for its silicon upgrades. The M3 series was unveiled in late 2023, and the M4 chip was first introduced in the iPad Pro in May 2024 before launching in the MacBook Pro in late 2024. Based on this pattern, the next generation—tentatively called the M5—would likely be announced no earlier than the second half of 2025 for the highest-end models, with a more widespread rollout across the Mac line, including a new MacBook Air, expected in 2026. Therefore, while the M5 is certainly in development, its consumer release is still some time away.

Should I get M4 or M4 Pro?

The choice between a standard M4 and an M4 Pro chip depends entirely on your specific computing needs and workflow. The standard M4 chip is an exceptionally powerful processor for the vast majority of users, excelling at everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and media consumption, as well as more demanding activities like photo editing, light video editing, and gaming. If your work primarily involves these tasks, the M4 offers incredible performance and efficiency, often at a lower cost and with longer battery life. Conversely, the M4 Pro is designed for professionals who push their machines to the limit. It features more CPU and GPU cores, support for more unified memory, and is essential for workloads like compiling large codebases, rendering complex 3D models and 4K/8K video, working with massive orchestral libraries, or running multiple virtual machines. If your livelihood or primary hobby depends on this level of performance, the M4 Pro is a worthwhile investment.

Is there a new MacBook coming out in 2026?

While it is far too early for concrete details, it is a near certainty that Apple will release new MacBook models in 2026. Apple’s product lines are on a continuous update cycle. By 2026, we can anticipate the next generation of Apple silicon, potentially the M5 chip, to make its way into the MacBook lineup. This would likely include updated versions of the MacBook Air (both 13-inch and 15-inch models) and the MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch models). Furthermore, if the rumored 12.9-inch budget MacBook is successful in its expected 2025 launch, a second-generation model with an updated chip could also be on the roadmap for 2026. Apple’s commitment to its Mac business ensures a steady stream of new hardware releases each year.

Market Impact and Consumer Choice

The introduction of a $599 MacBook would fundamentally alter Apple’s laptop portfolio. It would sit below the MacBook Air as the new entry-level option, creating a clearer three-tier structure: the budget 12.9-inch MacBook, the mainstream MacBook Air, and the professional MacBook Pro.

For consumers, this means unprecedented access to the macOS experience. It also raises questions about the iPad’s role, particularly the iPad Air, which starts at $599. A full-fledged laptop at the same price could cannibalize sales from Apple’s tablet, forcing users to choose between touch-screen versatility and the raw utility of a traditional clamshell computer.

The Bottom Line

If these reports hold, Apple is not just launching a new product; it is executing a strategic shift. The new 12.9-inch MacBook at $599 has the potential to democratize the Mac, bringing it to a vast new audience that previously found it out of reach.

While we await official confirmation from Apple, the tech world will be watching closely. A fall launch, potentially alongside new iPhone models, would set the stage for a blockbuster holiday shopping season and redefine what it means to own an Apple computer.

What are your thoughts? Would a $599 MacBook be your next computer? Let us know in the comments below.