Apple's MacBook lineup is currently undergoing a transformation. The MacBook Air with the M1 chip, which had established itself at Walmart over months as a surprisingly affordable entry point into the Apple ecosystem, is now sold out at the US retailer. No restock is in sight. At the same time, there are increasing indications that Apple could unveil a completely new, even more affordable MacBook in just a few weeks – one that would simply be called "MacBook," without the "Air" or "Pro" designation. Whether the M1 model's sell-out at Walmart is a coincidence or an early sign of the impending launch remains to be seen.
The MacBook Air with the M1 chip is still considered one of the most significant laptops Apple has ever built. As the first model with Apple's own silicon chip, it set new standards in performance, battery life, and efficiency when it launched in November 2020. For years, it was the most affordable entry point into the Mac world. Now it's officially history – discontinued, sold out, replaced. What comes next could fundamentally change the MacBook product line.
The M1 MacBook Air at Walmart: A brief history of the price drop
Walmart began selling the MacBook Air with the M1 chip in its US online store in March 2024. The starting price was $699. Throughout the year, the price gradually decreased: first to $649, then to $599. During a Black Friday sale last year, the device was even briefly offered for $549, an exceptionally low price for a brand-new, boxed MacBook.
The configuration offered at Walmart included 256 GB of storage and 8 GB of RAM. These were explicitly new devices in unopened original packaging, not refurbished or opened models. So, anyone looking for an affordable entry into the Mac world could snag a real bargain there.
The device is now out of stock at Walmart, and there's no indication that it will ever be restocked. Walmart's website still lists refurbished MacBooks from "trusted third-party sellers" starting at around $449, but new units are simply gone.
Apple's departure from the M1 chip: The end of an entry-level model
Apple originally introduced the MacBook Air with the M1 chip in November 2020. It was one of the first Macs ever to be equipped with an Apple Silicon chip instead of an Intel processor, marking the beginning of a new era for the entire Mac product line.
The official starting price of the M1 MacBook Air was initially $999. Amazon occasionally offered the device for prices between $749 and $899 over time. In 2024, Apple officially discontinued the model after updating the MacBook Air lineup with M3 chips. Since then, Apple has also transitioned the MacBook Air to the M4 chip, thus removing the M1 model from the official lineup.
Rumors surrounding a new, cheaper MacBook
The fact that the M1 MacBook Air is currently sold out at Walmart might not be a coincidence. According to several reports and leaks, Apple plans to launch a new, more affordable MacBook as early as the first week of March. This device is expected to be positioned below the MacBook Air in the Mac product hierarchy and sold simply as "MacBook," without the "Air" or "Pro" designation. This would represent a revival of the brand name that Apple last used for the 12-inch MacBook, which was discontinued in July 2019.
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was one of the first to publicly report on the plans for this more affordable MacBook. According to him, the device will have a display of approximately 13 inches and will be available in several vibrant colors, including green, blue, pink, and yellow. Other, more specific rumors suggest a display size of 12.9 inches. In any case, the new MacBook is expected to feature an ultra-thin and lightweight design reminiscent of the discontinued 12-inch model, but equipped with a modern Apple Silicon chip instead of the Intel processors of that era.
The chip: A18 Pro instead of M-series
Perhaps the most surprising component of the new MacBook is the planned processor. Instead of an M-series chip, which currently powers all MacBook models, the new entry-level MacBook is expected to receive an A18 Pro chip. This is the same chip already used in the iPhone 16 Pro. In the smartphone context, the A18 Pro features a 6-core CPU and a 6-core GPU.
In terms of multi-core performance, the A18 Pro is comparable to the M1 chip. The new MacBook could therefore effectively function as a successor to the MacBook Air with the M1 chip, even though it is officially positioned in a new and more affordable price bracket below the MacBook Air. This might explain why Walmart is no longer restocking the M1 model: the chip offers similar performance, the device is intended to be cheaper, and the transition is clearly well underway.
Limitations compared to current MacBook models
The new MacBook will lag behind the current MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models in some specifications. For example, it is expected to offer only 8 GB of RAM. By comparison, all current MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models come standard with at least 16 GB of RAM.
Another difference lies in the connectivity. The A18 Pro chip does not support Thunderbolt, which is why the new MacBook will likely only have standard USB-C ports. This has practical consequences: USB-C without Thunderbolt offers slower data transfer speeds and imposes limitations when connecting external displays. Those who rely on fast external storage or multiple high-resolution monitors will therefore encounter limitations with the new model.
Rising storage prices as a possible additional factor
Besides the strategic timing surrounding the anticipated MacBook launch, another factor may have contributed to Walmart's decision not to restock the M1 MacBook Air: The prices for DRAM and NAND memory chips have recently risen significantly. This makes it more difficult and less economically attractive to resell older devices at very low prices. This cost pressure likely played at least a role in Walmart's decision not to increase stock.
Between farewell and new beginnings: Apple's new strategy
Walmart's sell-out of the MacBook Air with the M1 chip is a clear sign that this chapter of the MacBook story has come to a close. At the same time, there are strong indications that Apple intends to fill an interesting market gap with the new model, simply called "MacBook": cheaper than the MacBook Air, lighter and thinner than any current Mac laptop, powered by a chip from the iPhone world, and available in vibrant colors. The limitations in RAM and connectivity are real, but will have to be considered in the context of a lower price point. Anyone looking for a compact and affordable Apple laptop should keep a close eye on the first week of March. (Image: Shutterstock / Art-Dolgov)
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