Apple reviving “MacBook’ with a18 processor?

[Cmaier]

What can we expect from Apple's rumored new 2026 MacBook?

Analyst Ming–Chi Kuo has suggested that Apple plans to launch an all–new MacBook next year, powered by an iPhone processor....

9to5mac.com

Speed would be fine for most people (especially since thermals much better in a notebook); but I bet they don’t increase the RAM.

 

[Joelist]

So we have more blind guessing from Kuo. Why would Apple put such a SOC into a MacBook when the M series is actually designed for that form factor and you are already seeing things like M series in iPad Pros.

 

[Yoused]

iPhone 16 Pro starts at the same price as a MacBook Air. They have different features, but it is hard to see Apple gaining from using an Axx in a MacBook. The only possibility would be a notebook that has a GSM/CDMA transceiver in it, which some people do want, but that would only make sense if the cell signal circuitry was integrated into the A-series SoC in a way that would make it not-cost-effective to have a separate radio chip for M-series processors – which creates issues for the iPad Air/Pro.

This idea is just not making sense.

 

[Cmaier]

I could see them doing it, but only to make a very low cost product for students and such. I don’t know that they care about having a mac at that price point, though, since they have iPads for that market.

 

[leman]

I would find this surprising. Is Ax Pro series really that much cheaper than Mx? Something that would be interesting is abandoning base Mx and make the Ax Pro beefier, but then why not just call it Mx and say "hey, we made the best iPhone yet by putting an Mx chip in it"?

 

[Roller]

So we have more blind guessing from Kuo. Why would Apple put such a SOC into a MacBook when the M series is actually designed for that form factor and you are already seeing things like M series in iPad Pros.

Normally I'd agree with you about blind guessing, but apparently there's reference to this in Apple code somewhere. That doesn't mean it's a done deal, but it's more solid than just Kuo saying that it's going to happen. I do think that an ultra low cost MacBook would help draw people to the Apple ecosystem, though I'm not sure this is the best way to do it.

 

[Yoused]

I would find this surprising. Is Ax Pro series really that much cheaper than Mx?

A18Pro: 2P/4E/6GPU. That would be one less GPU core and 2 less P cores compared M4 base (which usually has one GPU core turned off). This could be quite adequate to run a bottom tier MBA, and Apple produces a lot more A-series cores than M-series. It is not unimaginable that they might just move the base MBA to the A-series, especially with the improvements they keep making to E-core perfomance.

 

[Cmaier]

As @Roller noted, it’s not just a blind guess that this might happen.

New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors. Earlier today, Apple analyst...

www.macrumors.com

 

[swk9]

I've been in favor for such Mac for a while as I think the A chips are more than good enough now. I thought they should've made a Mac Micro with an A chip as well but Apple just made the Mini a bit smaller. But the mini desktop market is a niche one anyway and the laptop market is where it's at.

I was hoping for a MacBook 12" successor but looks like it'll have a 13" display instead. Will it be noticeably thinner and lighter than the Air still? I loved the 12" outside the performance. I could even live with a single USB-C port, although I think it'll be better if the headphone jack is replaced with an extra USB-C port.

As @Roller noted, it’s not just a blind guess that this might happen.

New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors. Earlier today, Apple analyst...

www.macrumors.com

Kuo also specifically stated a company supposedly responsible for the casing production along with the selection of colors, that sounds like he's been tipped off with that info from the supply chain which tends to be a bit leaky.

 

[dada_dave]

As @Roller noted, it’s not just a blind guess that this might happen.

New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors. Earlier today, Apple analyst...

www.macrumors.com

Fascinating. I wonder what they used to confirm the iPhone chip? Probably an insider source given that they kept it under wraps. I have to admit the prospect of a 17,1/2 Mac Pro was starting to dim already, but this would appear to be the final nail in that particular coffin. Still, should be an interesting device.