Code Leaks Reveal Cheap MacBook Using iPhone Chip, No Fast Charging and True Tone?

JAKARTA - Apple's plan to launch an affordable version of the MacBook has come under scrutiny after a leak of the macOS internal code revealed a number of different specification details far from the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air lines.

In a technical analysis of the internal macOS build, the cheap MacBook device is said to use the A18 Pro chip, the same processor as that used in the iPhone 16 Pro. This means that Apple is no longer relying on M series chips such as M1, M2, or M3 for this model, but rather switching to the A series chip commonly used in iPhones.

This move is seen as a strategy to reduce production costs in order to bring laptops with more competitive prices, estimated at around 699 US dollars to 750 US dollars.

Without True Tone

One of the important findings in the leak is that the "AppleALSColorSensor" driver is not found in the system. Instead, macOS uses an old driver called "AppleEmbeddedLightSensor".

This is believed to be an indication that the device does not have the sensors needed for the True Tone feature. True Tone is an Apple technology that automatically adjusts the color of the screen to the ambient lighting conditions, so that the color display remains consistent, both outdoors and indoors.

The absence of True Tone may not be a big deal for casual users. But for graphic designers or creative workers who need high color accuracy, the absence of this feature can be a serious consideration.

Does not support Fast Charging

The leak also shows the absence of the "com.apple.driver.AppleHighVoltageCharger" driver, which indicates that this device may not support fast charging.

In addition, the Wi-Fi connectivity is said to use the "AppleSunrise" driver, which refers to the "Sunrise" Wi-Fi module made by MediaTek. This module was previously used on iPads based on the A16 chip.

Thus, this cheap MacBook is expected not to support Wi-Fi 7 or Bluetooth 6, and does not use Apple's latest modem, N1. However, for users who only need a laptop for light tasks such as typing, browsing, or online learning, these limitations are not considered too crucial.

The audio feature is also said to still use the old driver "AppleCS42L83Audio" which was previously used on the M1 MacBook Air. As a consequence, the device is likely not compatible with high impedance headphones.

Saingi Chromebook target

Apple is said to want to target the lower market segment that has been dominated by Chromebooks. With a 13-inch screen and the use of aluminum material that is still maintained, Apple is trying to reduce costs without sacrificing premium design.

However, other efficiency measures could potentially have an impact on a lower screen resolution compared to other models, fewer USB-C ports, and a base memory capacity of possibly only 8 GB.

However, this leak has not been verified. The source who shared the information also has no strong track record of accuracy. Previously, he had only claimed that the next generation iPad mini would use the A20 Pro chip, which was considered more a logical prediction than an internal source-based leak.

So far, Apple Inc. has not given an official statement regarding the news.

If this information is true, then the cheap MacBook will be a significant change in strategy for Apple, which has so far positioned the Mac line as a premium device. The question is, can this "frugal" MacBook compete without undermining the exclusive image that has long been attached to Apple products?