What do Apple fans want? An iBook… er SE… er MacBook!
Macworld
Next week, Apple is expected to release a new laptop, one that will be the lowest-priced MacBook in the company’s lineup. It’s new territory for Apple, and a new choice that fills a need amongst Apple customers. Because of that, anticipation has built up for this new product. Maybe you want to buy one, maybe you don’t, but you at least want to see what Apple is going to do.
That anticipation has spilled over into Macworld’s inboxes and social media comments sections. We’ve been reading your messages, and we’re sharing a few of them here.
What to call it: iBook? MacBook SE?
A podcast short about the name of the upcoming laptop struck a chord. One idea for the name in particular:
iBook resurgence 🤔
Colors and Numbers on TikTok
Many others across social media are hoping for an iBook resurgence, but it seems as though Apple has left behind the “i” naming system. Apple’s not one for nostalgia, but you never know.
I bet it’s MacBook SE
bleepblorp7676 on TikTok
Maybe? I mean, there’s the Apple Watch SE, but with the iPhone, Apple dumped “SE” in favor of “[model number]e”, so I don’t know what to think.
It’s going to be MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro…
NIckname on TikTok
That makes the most sense; after all, Apple used to have a “MacBook” that sort of fits the profile of the new product that’s coming. But it just feels so anticlimactic.
@macworld.com What to call the cheap Apple laptop #macbook ♬ original sound – Macworld – Macworld
Will it be powerful enough?
Reports say that this laptop will use a A18 Pro or A19 chip, the same chips used in iPhones. So, should its processing capability as a Mac be a concern?
The target market for this less expensive (not “cheap”) MacBook won’t care or likely even know that it runs on the same CPU as an iPhone…
Mitch Stone via Facebook
It is an iPhone with a bigger screen.
neillwd on YouTube
That’s a bad thing?
How cheap is ‘cheap’?
This laptop is expected to be affordable. But as Apple users know, the company’s idea of “affordable” is often different from ours.
I do wish people would stop looking at £700 as cheap, it’s probably going to be a very good computer for the masses.
Kennth Swift on Facebook
For the sake of clarification, when we talk about “cheap,” we’re talking about price. We’re not talking about “cheap” as a way of saying “poorly made,” as it is often used. That being said, is $699/£699 (rounded to $700/£700) cheap? In a general sense, I don’t think so, but in the perspective of Apple’s laptop lineup, it is.
If $699 I’ll be buying one for my wife in yellow
OldSchoolM on TikTok
It needs to be $599. Period.
iHusk on YouTube
Now you’re talkin’ iHusk. But will Apple do that? It feels unbelievable. I want to be wrong on this. Which leads us to…
Expect the unexpected
I really wonder if this MacBook will run iPadOS instead of MacOS.
sactoman0314 on TikTok
…Apple should simply make macOS available on the iPad. They could even charge for the license or allow customers to choose between macOS and another operating system when purchasing the device.
Doug M. via email
I can see why y’all would think that. These prices are in iPad territory. But I think Apple is confident that one won’t cannibalize the other, and I tend to agree. They’re different use cases.
I’ve been hearing this prediction since the Mac mini first came out decades ago.
quinnretro on TikTok
If you say it enough times, it’ll eventually become true.
And finally…
Apple sure has got a lot of free publicity on their future new MacBooks by teasing all you predictionist journalists for so long.
Neil via email
Ouch. The truth hurts, Neil.
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Feature
What do Apple fans want? An iBook… er SE… er MacBook!
The results are in: Here's what Macworld readers want from Apple's cheap MacBook.
[Image: Roman Loyola]
By Roman Loyola
Senior Editor, Macworld FEB 27, 2026 4:15 am PST
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[Image: starlight macbook air]
Image: Foundry
Summary created by Smart Answers AI
#### In summary:
- Apple is expected to launch a new budget-friendly MacBook next week, with Macworld reporting that the most logical name would simply be “MacBook.”
- The anticipated £700 price point is considered affordable within Apple’s laptop lineup, though some consumers hope for even lower pricing around $599-699.
- Reader speculation includes potential “MacBook SE” naming and questions about macOS-iPadOS convergence, reflecting high anticipation for this product among Apple customers.
Next week, Apple is expected to release a new laptop, one that will be the lowest-priced MacBook in the company’s lineup. It’s new territory for Apple, and a new choice that fills a need amongst Apple customers. Because of that, anticipation has built up for this new product. Maybe you want to buy one, maybe you don’t, but you at least want to see what Apple is going to do.
That anticipation has spilled over into Macworld’s inboxes and social media comments sections. We’ve been reading your messages, and we’re sharing a few of them here.
What to call it: iBook? MacBook SE?
A podcast short about the name of the upcoming laptop struck a chord. One idea for the name in particular:
iBook resurgence 🤔
Colors and Numbers on TikTok
Many others across social media are hoping for an iBook resurgence, but it seems as though Apple has left behind the “i” naming system. Apple’s not one for nostalgia, but you never know.
I bet it’s MacBook SE
bleepblorp7676 on TikTok
Maybe? I mean, there’s the Apple Watch SE, but with the iPhone, Apple dumped “SE” in favor of “[model number]e”, so I don’t know what to think.
It’s going to be MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro…
NIckname on TikTok
That makes the most sense; after all, Apple used to have a “MacBook” that sort of fits the profile of the new product that’s coming. But it just feels so anticlimactic.
> @macworld.com
What to call the cheap Apple laptop #macbook
♬ original sound – Macworld – Macworld
Will it be powerful enough?
Reports say that this laptop will use a A18 Pro or A19 chip, the same chips used in iPhones. So, should its processing capability as a Mac be a concern?
The target market for this less expensive (not “cheap”) MacBook won’t care or likely even know that it runs on the same CPU as an iPhone…
Mitch Stone via Facebook
It is an iPhone with a bigger screen.
neillwd on YouTube
That’s a bad thing?
How cheap is ‘cheap’?
This laptop is expected to be affordable. But as Apple users know, the company’s idea of “affordable” is often different from ours.
I do wish people would stop looking at £700 as cheap, it’s probably going to be a very good computer for the masses.
Kennth Swift on Facebook
For the sake of clarification, when we talk about “cheap,” we’re talking about price. We’re not talking about “cheap” as a way of saying “poorly made,” as it is often used. That being said, is $699/£699 (rounded to $700/£700) cheap? In a general sense, I don’t think so, but in the perspective of Apple’s laptop lineup, it is.
If $699 I’ll be buying one for my wife in yellow
OldSchoolM on TikTok
It needs to be $599. Period.
iHusk on YouTube
Now you’re talkin’ iHusk. But will Apple do that? It feels unbelievable. I want to be wrong on this. Which leads us to…
Expect the unexpected
I really wonder if this MacBook will run iPadOS instead of MacOS.
sactoman0314 on TikTok
…Apple should simply make macOS available on the iPad. They could even charge for the license or allow customers to choose between macOS and another operating system when purchasing the device.
Doug M. via email
I can see why y’all would think that. These prices are in iPad territory. But I think Apple is confident that one won’t cannibalize the other, and I tend to agree. They’re different use cases.
I’ve been hearing this prediction since the Mac mini first came out decades ago.
quinnretro on TikTok
If you say it enough times, it’ll eventually become true.
And finally…
Apple sure has got a lot of free publicity on their future new MacBooks by teasing all you predictionist journalists for so long.
Neil via email
Ouch. The truth hurts, Neil.
####
Author: Roman Loyola, Senior Editor, Macworld
Roman is a Macworld Senior Editor with over 30 years of experience covering the tech industry, focusing on the Mac and other products in the Apple ecosystem. He is also the host of the Macworld Podcast. His career started at MacUser, where he received Apple certification as a repair technician (when Apple did that kind of thing). He's also worked for MacAddict, MacLife, and TechTV.
#### Recent stories by Roman Loyola:
Apple’s cheap MacBook only has one job
Apple’s budget MacBook coming soon: What to expect
Macworld Podcast: What to expect from the Apple Experience on March 4
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[Original source](https://www.macworld.com/article/3071669/budget-macbook-price-name-processor-reader-comments.html)