Apple’s 12-Inch MacBook Is Back: 10 Huge Leaks, Price, Specs, and Release Date

Get ready, because the iconic 12-inch MacBook is officially on the road to revival. According to one of the most trusted voices in the Apple leak world, this long-lost laptop isn’t years away—it’s just months from launch. And yes, it’s staying true to its roots with a 12-inch display, but this time, Apple is fixing everything that went wrong the first time.

We’re talking 10 major leaked upgrades, so let’s count them down—starting from number ten.

A Brand-New Ultra-Thin Design

At number ten, we start with the redesign—and this is a big one.

The revived 12-inch MacBook isn’t borrowing the MacBook Air look. Instead, it’s getting a completely new chassis. According to Mark Gurman, Apple is treating this as a centerpiece launch for the first half of the year, which gives them room to go wild with thinness.

With other Macs like the M5 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air expected soon, Gurman believes this is the most groundbreaking computer of the bunch. Especially if Apple times it with its 50th anniversary on April 1, expect something shockingly slim.

A Compact 12.9-Inch Display With Tiny Bezels

Next up at number nine is the display—and no, it won’t feel cramped.

Leaks confirm a screen under 13 inches, lining up with reports of a 12.9-inch panel. Thanks to ultra-thin bezels, the footprint will be smaller without sacrificing usability. Expect the keyboard to stretch nearly edge-to-edge, making the entire device feel compact but not claustrophobic.

In short: smaller body, same comfort.

Powered by the A18 Pro Chip

Number eight is where things get spicy: the chip.

The new 12-inch MacBook is expected to run on the A18 Pro, a massive leap from the old Intel Core M chip that was infamous for being slow and overheating. The A18 Pro actually outperforms the original M1—the same chip that gave the 2020 MacBook Air its legendary reputation.

This alone fixes one of the biggest mistakes of the original model.

A Shockingly Low Price Point

At number seven, let’s talk money.

The revived 12-inch MacBook is rumored to start as low as $599, potentially topping out at $699. That’s wild when you remember the original launched at $1,299.

According to Gurman, this Mac is designed as a gateway device—an easy entry into the Mac ecosystem for switchers, students, and emerging markets. Apple’s long game here is services, subscriptions, and upselling later.

Cheap upfront. Sticky ecosystem later.

Insane Battery Life in a Tiny Body

Number six is battery life—and it might be best-in-class.

The original 12-inch MacBook had terrible endurance, but this time Apple is using an iPhone-class chip that sips power. Even with a smaller battery—likely around 40Wh—this laptop could easily outperform most competitors.

Thin design, smaller battery, and still potentially the longest-lasting laptop in its size class.

Magic Keyboard Is Officially Back

Coming in at number five: the keyboard.

Apple is ditching the hated butterfly keyboard for good and sticking with the Magic Keyboard design introduced around 2019. That means better key travel, solid feedback, and no more random key failures.

Best part? Apple can still keep the chassis super slim without sacrificing typing comfort.

More Ports and MagSafe Charging

Number four is all about ports.

The original 12-inch MacBook had just one USB-C port, leading to the infamous “dongle era.” This time, things are better. Expect MagSafe 3 for charging, freeing up ports for actual accessories.

Leaks suggest two USB-C ports, though don’t expect Thunderbolt support like on the MacBook Air. That limitation alone will keep the Air relevant for power users.

Apple Intelligence Support With 8GB+ RAM

At number three, we’ve got memory—and future-proofing.

The new MacBook will ship with at least 8GB of RAM, which means full Apple Intelligence support. That includes upcoming macOS features, the redesigned Siri 2.0, and on-device AI tools.

There’s even a chance Apple allows upgrades to 16GB, which would be huge for longevity.

Fun, iPad-Style Color Options

Number two is all about personality.

According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the new 12-inch MacBook may launch in blue, pink, yellow, and silver—similar to the budget iPad lineup.

Compared to the muted MacBook Air colors, this would instantly make the 12-inch MacBook the most playful laptop Apple sells.

A Plastic Chassis? Maybe—and That’s Not a Bad Thing

Finally, at number one, we get into speculation.

What if Apple ditches aluminum entirely?

To hit that $599 price, Apple could use a high-durability plastic shell, similar in spirit to the iPhone 5C. Gurman has already said this Mac will use less advanced components than other Macs, so a plastic casing actually makes sense—and it would make those fun colors pop even more.

Expected Release Date

As for timing, Gurman says first half of the year, but he’s famously conservative. Analyst Jeff Pu claims it could arrive in Q1 2026, meaning very soon.

Crazy? Maybe. But not impossible.

Final Thoughts: Is the 12-Inch MacBook Finally Worth It?

If even half of these leaks pan out, the revived 12-inch MacBook could be one of Apple’s most disruptive laptops ever—thin, affordable, colorful, and insanely efficient.

Which feature are you most excited about? And would you actually buy this MacBook if it launches at $599?