Apple may be set for one of its most eventful weeks of the year, with fresh product announcements expected to begin tonight. A brief teaser shared by Apple CEO Tim Cook pointing to a “big week ahead” has fuelled speculation around multiple launches, including a new, more affordable MacBook that could be aimed at students and budget-conscious users in markets such as India. Apple has lined up media briefings in cities including New York, Shanghai and London on March 4, suggesting that several hardware updates are in the pipeline.
Apple could launch budget MacBooks in India this week: Everything we know so far
Among the expected announcements, the most closely watched is Apple’s rumoured low-cost MacBook. If launched, it would sit below the MacBook Air in Apple’s laptop lineup and could change how the company approaches entry-level Macs. The device is expected to retain Apple’s familiar aluminium build, with early reports suggesting a design that closely resembles the MacBook Air rather than older MacBook models. Apple is said to have tested multiple colour options, including lighter shades such as yellow, blue and pink, alongside more traditional finishes like silver and dark grey. Only a few of these colours are likely to make the final cut.
Details around the display remain uncertain, with reports pointing to either a 12.9-inch or a 13-inch screen. To keep costs under control, Apple is expected to make a number of trade-offs. The display may offer lower brightness levels and miss out on features such as True Tone. Other reported omissions include a backlit keyboard, faster SSD speeds and some advanced internal components found on higher-end Macs. These changes suggest that Apple’s focus is on delivering a functional, everyday laptop rather than a premium machine.
The biggest change could be on the inside. Instead of using an M-series processor, Apple is expected to power the new MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, the same processor introduced with the iPhone 16 Pro. Built on a 3-nanometre process, the A18 Pro offers strong single-core performance and is expected to comfortably handle routine tasks such as web browsing, online classes, office work, video playback and light photo or video editing. However, it is unlikely to be positioned as a machine for heavy workloads such as 4K video editing or advanced 3D tasks.
The use of an A-series chip also points to Apple targeting the education segment more directly. The low-cost MacBook is widely seen as Apple’s answer to affordable Chromebook laptops that dominate classrooms globally. Memory is expected to start at 8GB to support Apple Intelligence features, though a higher option is possible. Storage could begin at 128GB, which would further help keep the base price in check. Connectivity is also expected to be limited, with standard USB-C ports instead of Thunderbolt support and likely support for only one external display.
Pricing will be a key factor, especially in India. While the MacBook Air starts at a significantly higher price point (between Rs 90,000 and Rs 1 lakh), the new model is expected to be positioned well below it. Estimates suggest Apple could price the laptop between $599 and $799 globally. In India, the new budget MacBook model is rumoured to cost in the range of Rs 60,000 or above. If that translates into competitive pricing in India, it could lower the entry barrier to macOS for students and first-time buyers.
Alongside the budget MacBook, Apple is also expected to refresh its existing Mac lineup. The MacBook Pro range could see updates with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, focusing largely on performance gains rather than design changes. The MacBook Air, meanwhile, may receive an internal upgrade to the M5 chip while retaining its current design and pricing structure. You can stay tuned to India Today Tech for all the updates as we will be covering everything.
