A new leak from Weibo suggests Apple‘s upcoming budget laptop could arrive without several expected features. The rumored sub-$1,000 machine might ditch True Tone display support, fast charging, and a backlit keyboard according to the post and other online sources.
The 12.9-inch model would target the price range Apple hasn’t seriously addressed since the M1 MacBook Air. But buyers could face real tradeoffs to hit that lower price.
The information also points to missing high-impedance headphone support and slower SSD storage than the MacBook Air and Pro.
Display and charging get downgraded
The screen and power setup might take the biggest hits. This budget MacBook reportedly won’t support True Tone, the feature that adjusts display color based on ambient light.
It also lacks the driver for fast charging. So you’ll wait longer for a full battery compared to other modern models.
Brightness may drop too. While the MacBook Air offers a 500-nit panel, this one could settle for something lower.
Audio also gets cut. The leak suggests it won’t support high-impedance headphones, a feature audiophiles use with professional gear.
Wireless and storage speed take a back seat
Inside, Apple might skip its own wireless components. The leak points to a MediaTek Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip instead, the same one found in the base iPad.
That shift could affect connectivity, though it likely helps keep costs down.
Storage looks slower too. SSD read and write speeds would lag behind the Air and Pro. Most configurations land at 256GB and 512GB, with a possible 128GB option for education buyers.
The keyboard may lose backlighting, making dim light work tougher. And while 8GB of RAM meets Apple Intelligence requirements, the rest of the package feels stripped down.
What to watch for in March
Apple hasn’t confirmed any of this, and the leak carries plenty of uncertainty. The information pulls from Weibo and other sources, so skepticism makes sense. But the timing matches rumors of an early March event.
The company is reportedly hosting a “special Apple experience” on March 4 in London, New York, and Shanghai. If a low-cost MacBook exists, that’s likely where we’ll see it, possibly with an iPhone 17e.
For now, if you’re shopping for a laptop, wait until early March. Either Apple announces something new, or this leak fades away.