Apple appears to be testing a MacBook powered by the same class of processor used in the iPhone, according to leaked internal files spotted earlier this year. The information does not come from a product announcement or a supply chain report, but from software files designed for Apple’s own engineers. These files briefly appeared on Apple’s website before being removed, yet not before their contents were examined by researchers and reported by MacRumors.
The files in question belong to a kernel debug kit, a specialised package used by Apple engineers to test low-level system software. Such kits are not meant for public release, but when they do surface, they can reveal product names, hardware identifiers, and unfinished configurations that hint at plans. In this case, the kit referenced two MacBook models that have not been announced, each linked to a different A-series processor usually reserved for iPhones.
The presence of these references does not confirm that Apple will ship an iPhone-style MacBook, but it does suggest that the company has been actively exploring the idea. The choice of chips mentioned, the way the models are labelled, and the supporting components listed in the files all point to more than a casual experiment.
Two MacBook listings point to different stages of testing
Within the leaked files, two MacBook-related entries stand out. The first describes a MacBook configuration using the A15 chip, an older processor first introduced in the iPhone 13 lineup. This configuration appears under the project label “mac14p” and is associated with a platform called H14P. It is also linked to an internal codename, J267, which fits Apple’s long-standing habit of using numerical identifiers during development.
At first glance, this might suggest that Apple is planning to release a MacBook powered by an A15 chip. However, the processor’s age makes that unlikely. By the time such a product could realistically reach the market, the A15 would be several generations behind Apple’s current mobile silicon. Apple rarely launches new Macs with outdated chips, particularly when performance and longevity are key selling points.
A more reasonable explanation is that this A15-based MacBook was a development unit used to test the basic concept. Apple has done this before. During the transition from Intel processors to Apple silicon, the company provided developers with an early Mac mini running an iPad-class chip. That system was never intended for consumers, but it allowed Apple to validate macOS performance and compatibility on its own architecture.
Seen in that light, the A15 MacBook entry looks like a test mule rather than a finished product. It suggests that Apple wanted to see how macOS would perform on an A-series chip in a laptop form factor, long before committing to anything more ambitious.
Why the A18 Pro reference carries more weight
The second MacBook listing uncovered in the files is more intriguing. This entry references the A18 Pro chip and is tied to a different internal identifier, J700. Unlike the A15, the A18 Pro is a much newer processor, expected to sit near the top of Apple’s current iPhone chip lineup. Its inclusion immediately raises the stakes, as it points to testing that aligns more closely with a possible commercial product.
This configuration also mentions a “Sunrise” wireless subsystem attributed to MediaTek. The presence of a named wireless component adds a sense of completeness to the entry. Rather than looking like a bare-bones experiment, it resembles a more considered hardware setup with defined parts.
So far, Apple’s consumer Macs have exclusively used M-series processors, which are designed specifically for computers and offer higher sustained performance and more memory support than A-series chips. An A18 Pro-based MacBook would not replace those machines. Instead, it could open a new, lower-cost tier beneath the existing lineup.
Such a move would mirror Apple’s broader strategy of spreading its silicon across product categories. The company already uses related architectures across iPhones, iPads, and Macs, adjusting features and power levels to suit each device. A MacBook built around an A18 Pro could prioritise efficiency, battery life, and affordability over raw performance.
What this could mean for Apple’s MacBook strategy
Speculation is growing that Apple could introduce a more affordable MacBook next year, featuring an A18 Pro chip, a 13-inch display, and a range of bright colour options, including silver, blue, pink, and yellow. While these details remain unconfirmed, they fit with the idea of a lightweight, entry-level laptop aimed at students, casual users, and those who primarily rely on cloud services.
If such a product appears, the leaked A15 reference would make sense as early groundwork. Apple started by testing macOS on whatever A-series chip was available at the time, then moved on to a newer processor once the concept proved viable. The A18 Pro entry, with its more complete configuration, looks like the natural next step in that process.
Still, caution is warranted. Apple frequently experiments with hardware that never reaches the market. Internal identifiers and test configurations are not promises, and many ideas are shelved before consumers ever hear about them. For now, the leaks only show that Apple has explored the possibility of an A-series MacBook, not that it is committed to launching one.
Those considering a MacBook purchase should not make decisions based solely on this information. The next meaningful signal would be confirmation from another source that independently references the same identifiers or specifications. Consistent reports across multiple channels strengthen the case that Apple is moving closer to a release.
Until then, the existing MacBook lineup remains the safest option for buyers. Apple’s current models, powered by M-series chips, continue to set the standard for performance and efficiency in their categories. Any A18 Pro MacBook, if it arrives, would likely complement that range rather than replace it.
The brief appearance of these internal files offers a rare glimpse into Apple’s experimentation behind closed doors. Whether it leads to a new class of MacBook or remains an abandoned idea will become clearer in the year ahead.
