Apple Inc. is reportedly preparing to launch its first genuinely low-cost Mac notebook in the first half of 2026, according to a report by Bloomberg L.P..  The device - internally codenamed “J700” - is designed to undercut the company’s traditional premium price tiers and compete directly with entry-level Windows laptops and Chromebook devices. 

To hit a lower price point, Apple is said to employ a smaller-than-13.6-inch LCD screen and use an iPhone class A-series chip (rather than the usual M-series Mac silicon). Reports suggest pricing could land around US $599-$699 in the U.S. (roughly ₹52,000-₹61,000 in India) for the base configuration. 
The target audience includes students, small-business users and anyone who mostly browses the web, edits documents or does light media work — rather than pro creators. With this move, Apple is aiming to open up the Mac ecosystem to a wider, more budget-conscious segment and boost its notebook volumes substantially.