The $599 price tag that Apple’s budget MacBook was supposed to carry last August? It looks shakier every day.
When supply chain sources first reported the number, it made sense on paper – almost as cheap as the M1 MacBook Air during Walmart’s clearance sale and enough to bring Apple’s laptop lineup to a whole new demographic of buyers. But since then, component costs have trended negatively, and two areas in particular are proving stubborn (via DigiTimes).
The memory problem
Memory is the bigger problem. Prices have risen sharply over the past year, and the safety valve that many in the industry had counted on – increased production from Chinese memory manufacturers – has not materialized in the way hoped.
These suppliers are busy and focused on domestic customers. Apple, which has historically had enough purchasing power to escape the worst of these cycles, is feeling it this time. Tim Cook said this in a recent earnings conference call, noting that while exposure is limited in the first quarter of 2026, pressure will increase through the second quarter and beyond.
The batteries are piling up. Cobalt – a key ingredient in making lithium batteries – has risen from around $21,500 a tonne in early 2025 to over $56,000 after the Democratic Republic of Congo banned exports. That’s an increase of 161%. Battery module prices alone increased by 10-15% in February alone.
It looks like a $599 price is off the table
When you sum it up, the $599 dream is largely out of circulation. Current supply chain estimates suggest a likely price between $699 and $749.
Which creates a really awkward situation for Apple. The M4 MacBook Air starts at $999 – but it goes on sale, is discounted through educational pricing, and is regularly priced lower at retail. A budget MacBook heading toward $749 looks less like a category opener anyway and more like a shelf-stay designed to entice buyers to turn to the Air.
What the cheaper model is expected to bring: an A-series chip borrowed from Apple’s iPhone range, a slimmer and lighter design than the current Air and a smaller screen. Respectable specs – but not quite the game-changing entry point we were expecting in the rumor mill.
