The PC industry may be on the verge of a significant transformation driven by competition. According to statements collected by Windows Latest, Apple’s rumored plan to launch an affordable MacBook next year could not only affect its market share but also have a positive side effect for Microsoft users — the rise of higher-quality Windows laptops in the budget and mid-range segment.
Ben Bajarin, CEO and lead analyst at Creative Strategies, explained that the Windows ecosystem currently dominates nearly the entire market for devices priced below $800, excluding Chromebooks.
“The share of Windows in MSRP <$800 is 100%. This is why the entire PC ecosystem is freaking out over what’s coming from Apple next year,” Bajarin said. The entry of a competitor with Apple’s brand image in this segment would force traditional manufacturers to react.
Apple’s Entry into the Mid-Range Market
Historically, Windows laptops in the $600 to $800 range have sacrificed build quality to maintain low prices — often using plastic chassis instead of aluminum, skipping haptic trackpads, or settling for basic speakers. According to Bajarin, this competitive pressure could push manufacturers to deliver a more premium experience at an affordable price.
If Apple launches a device featuring its signature design and build quality in this price bracket, PC makers will have no choice but to raise their hardware standards to remain competitive.
It is speculated that Apple’s new device, expected in the first half of 2026, could achieve its rumored $599 price point by using processors derived from the iPhone — such as the A18 Pro chip — instead of the traditional M-series chips. This would give it excellent energy efficiency and battery life, although with somewhat lower performance compared to higher-end models.
The goal appears to be to attract students and casual users who value portability, design, and long battery life over raw performance — a segment that has so far relied mainly on Windows laptops under $900.
