Initial guess-work about Apple’s low-cost MacBook in 2023 set pricing at about $500, but surprise increases in component pricing since then is a problem in 2026.
Apple MacBooks
Apple MacBooks
Industry forecasts project Apple’s MacBook shipments will rise 1.4% quarter over quarter and 3.7% year over year in early 2026. Total MacBook shipments are expected to reach 21 million units in 2026, up from 20.55 million in 2025, a modest gain that stands out in a weakening market.
Global notebook shipments are expected to decline in early 2026 due to cautious enterprise spending and a slower consumer upgrade cycle. Apple’s expansion is happening against that backdrop, not in spite of it.