On an earnings call in late April, Apple's CEO Tim Cook said that customer response to the MacBook Neo was "off the charts," and the popularity of the laptop has reportedly led the company to significantly boost production.


Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo this week said he believes that MacBook Neo shipments to Apple were doubled from an initial target of 5 million units to 10 million units in 2026 at some point after the laptop launched in March.

Apple was very optimistic about the MacBook Neo before announcing it, but the company still "undercalled" the level of enthusiasm that the laptop would generate, according to Cook. He said that MacBook Neo demand exceeded Apple's expectations and helped to drive a record number of first-time Mac buyers last quarter.

New figures from market research firm IDC support Apple's claim that the MacBook Neo is selling well, and the Windows PC industry has taken notice. For example, Dell recently introduced a redesigned XPS 13 laptop from $699 and said it has features "you won't find on a MacBook Neo," such as a touch screen and a backlit keyboard.

"Apple's MacBook Neo is a capable machine, and its arrival confirms that there's real appetite for premium quality at accessible prices," admitted Dell.

With a starting price of $599 in the U.S., or $499 for college students, the MacBook Neo is Apple's most affordable MacBook ever. Powered by the iPhone's A18 Pro chip, the laptop is available in colorful finishes like Citrus and Blush.

A second-generation MacBook Neo is expected to be released next year with an A19 Pro chip and 12GB of RAM.
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The global memory shortage that has already squeezed Mac mini and Mac Studio supply is now set to weigh heavily on the broader PC market, with IDC forecasting an 11.3% decline in global shipments for 2026.


According to IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker, conditions are expected to worsen progressively through the fourth quarter, when shipments are forecast to fall 20% year-over-year, with no meaningful relief expected before the end of 2027. Average selling prices are rising and PC manufacturers are struggling to maintain full product portfolios.

The first quarter of 2026 offered a deceptively encouraging signal, with shipments growing 3% versus the same period last year, but that strength was largely artificial; both consumer and commercial buyers pulled purchases forward ahead of anticipated price increases and availability constraints. Some of that first quarter momentum is carrying into the second quarter, but the remaining quarters are expected to deteriorate. IDC forecasts average selling price growth of 17% in 2026, and even as memory capacity expands over the next two years, pricing is unlikely to return to 2025 levels. TrendForce previously warned that surging memory and CPU costs could push mainstream laptop prices up by nearly 40% this year.

Against that backdrop, Apple's MacBook Neo has driven stronger-than-expected notebook demand and prompted IDC to revise its notebook forecast upward. Launched in March at $599, the ‌MacBook Neo‌ pairs the A18 Pro chip with 8GB of memory and targets the sub-$700 notebook segment. This market accounts for approximately 75 million units annually, nearly 40% of total notebook volume, which is a tier historically dominated by Windows and ChromeOS devices.

The ‌MacBook Neo‌'s competitive ripple effects cut both ways. IDC said the device is "putting real pressure on the entire PC ecosystem," and expects rivals to respond with new silicon, a more efficient OS from Microsoft, and aggressive promotional pricing. The competitive pressure from the ‌MacBook Neo‌ is providing a partial offset to broader price increases, keeping some low-cost notebook options alive, though the overall average selling price trajectory remains firmly upward.

While rising memory costs are pushing many PC vendors toward higher-priced systems or forcing specification cuts to defend lower price points, Apple has moved in the opposite direction. The memory shortage has had a more direct impact on Apple's higher-end Mac models, with ‌Mac mini‌ and ‌Mac Studio‌ models seeing configuration cuts and significant shipping delays as the company struggles to secure supply.
This article, "MacBook Neo Disrupts a PC Market in Decline, IDC Says" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple shipped 1.1 million MacBook Neo units in the first quarter of the year, according to IDC, making it one of the strongest Mac debut performances in recent memory (via TechCrunch).


The figure is particularly striking given that the laptop was only available for roughly three weeks of the period, having gone on sale in mid-March. Shipments began spiking from early April, suggesting the March tally understates underlying demand. By comparison, the M5 MacBook Air shipped over 900,000 units in its debut quarter, while the M5 MacBook Pro shipped 550,000.

Apple introduced the ‌MacBook Neo‌ in early March with a starting price of $599, which is roughly 45% below the entry-level ‌MacBook Air‌. The laptop features an aluminum chassis and a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, but uses an A18 Pro chip rather than an M-series processor, along with 8GB of RAM, to reach the lower price point.

Of the units shipped globally during the quarter, 44% went to the U.S., while India accounted for approximately 18,000 shipments despite the short availability window, with retailers reportedly struggling to secure adequate inventory.

Counterpoint Research said that the ‌MacBook Neo‌'s significance extends beyond its early sales, noting that it is helping Apple compete in lower-priced notebook segments where Macs have historically had little presence.

Although it is still early, the MacBook Neo launch stands out as one of Apple's most strategically important recent Mac releases, especially as the wider PC market deals with rising memory costs and "shrinkflation," while Apple is expanding its reach.

The ‌MacBook Neo‌ could eventually help Apple grow its share of the $400 to $699 notebook market from about 2% to around 15%. IDC believes the opportunity extends to consumer and small-business laptop segments beyond first-time buyers. The ‌MacBook Neo‌'s popularity could also displace some older models, including the M1, M2, and M3 ‌MacBook Air‌, which have historically driven volume in markets like India when sold at discounted prices during sales events.

The launch is already prompting responses from rivals. Dell this week unveiled a new XPS 13 laptop starting at $699, aimed at the same segment, citing the ‌MacBook Neo‌'s arrival as evidence of strong demand for premium-quality laptops at accessible prices. IDC forecasts a "very big spike" in ‌MacBook Neo‌ shipments in the current quarter as Apple works through supply constraints and expands availability.
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A few months ago, Apple released the MacBook Neo, its most affordable MacBook ever. At the time, an ASUS executive admitted that the laptop came as a "shock" to the Windows PC industry, which is now in the process of responding.


Acer today introduced a Swift Air 14 laptop, with U.S. pricing starting at $699. By comparison, the MacBook Neo starts at $599 with a 256GB SSD and 8GB of RAM, or at $499 for college students and educational staff. However, the MacBook Neo costs an equal $699 when configured with a doubled 512GB of storage and a Touch ID button.

Powered by a new Intel Core Series 3 processor, the Swift Air 14 features a 14-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 1,920 × 1,200 pixels, up to a 512GB SSD, up to 16GB of RAM, an all-aluminum enclosure, and quad speakers with DTS:X Ultra audio. Like the MacBook Neo, the laptop supports Wi-Fi 6E.


The laptop is equipped with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB-A port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, and Acer says a 70 Wh battery provides up to 19 hours of battery life for video playback and up to 16 hours of battery life for web browsing.

Like the MacBook Neo, the Swift Air 14 is available in colorful finishes, including sage green, frost blue, blossom pink, and lilac purple.

Acer said the Swift Air 14 will be available in North America starting in August.

Meanwhile, Qualcomm this week announced the Snapdragon C, a new processor designed for "entry-tier laptops" priced at "$300 and up." Qualcomm said the processor delivers "responsive everyday performance" with "breakthrough power efficiency." The first laptops powered by the Snapdragon C are expected to launch later this year, with committed brands including Acer, HP, and Lenovo, according to Qualcomm.


Indeed, Acer has previewed the Aspire Go 15, the first laptop powered by the Snapdragon C processor. The laptop will have an "affordable" price point, but Acer did not provide specific pricing or a release date. Key specs include a 15.6-inch display with a resolution of 1,920 × 1,080 pixels, up to a 512GB SSD, up to 8GB of RAM, a 1080p webcam, two speakers, two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, one HDMI port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Acer said the Aspire Go 15 is made from 100% recyclable materials and has some components made from recycled plastic, so it sounds like the laptop will not have an all-aluminum enclosure like the MacBook Neo and the Swift Air 14.

Finally, ASUS commented on the MacBook Neo again during its annual shareholders meeting today. According to Taiwan's Economic Daily News, ASUS's chairman Jonney Shih said that the company can learn from Apple's cost-efficient strategy with the MacBook Neo and views it as an opportunity. Stay tuned, he said.

On an earnings call last month, Apple's CEO Tim Cook said that customer response to the MacBook Neo had been "off the charts" since its launch.

Apple was very optimistic about the MacBook Neo before announcing it, but the company still "undercalled" the level of enthusiasm that the laptop would generate, according to Cook. He said that MacBook Neo demand exceeded Apple's expectations and helped to drive a record number of first-time Mac buyers last quarter.

"We could not be happier with how things are going at the moment," said Cook.

As for the Windows PC industry, perhaps not so much.
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If you’re the tech tinkerer type and you don’t mind potentially voiding your MacBook Neo warranty, you can perform a little quick modification to your Neo that can make it perform up to 20% faster under heavy workloads. This is a pretty simple mod that aims to reduce thermal throttling behavior of the CPU, and ... Read More

Microsoft has responded to the MacBook Neo by commissioning a study that highlights advantages of some Windows laptops.


Market research firm Signal65 evaluated four Windows laptops:

• Lenovo's IdeaPad Slim 3x


• Lenovo's Yoga 7i


• HP's OmniBook 5


• HP's OmniBook X Flip

With a starting price of $549.99 on Best Buy's online store in the U.S. at the time of this writing, the IdeaPad Slim 3x is the only laptop in the study that currently rivals the MacBook Neo's starting price of $499 (college students) to $599 (general public). The other three laptops currently start at $749 to $1,029 at Best Buy.

Signal65 outlined some of the IdeaPad Slim 3x's advantages over the MacBook Neo:

Feature	IdeaPad Slim 3x	MacBook Neo
Display Size	15.3-inch	13-inch
CPU	Snapdragon X1 with "90% faster" multi-core Cinebench 2026 score	A18 Pro
Base RAM	16GB	8GB
Fingerprint Scanner	Included	Touch ID limited to $699 model
Ports	1× USB-C, 2× USB-A, SD, and HDMI	2× USB-C only
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 7	Wi-Fi 6E
Backlit Keyboard	Yes	No
Touch Screen	Yes	No

In addition, the IdeaPad Slim 3x achieved longer battery life (16 hours and 29 minutes) compared to the MacBook Neo (13 hours and 28 minutes) in a Tom's Guide test, with Lenovo able to fit a larger battery inside a 15-inch laptop.

The study indicated that the IdeaPad Slim 3x has 512GB of storage, but the $549.99 base model has a 256GB SSD, which matches the MacBook Neo.

Through June 30, Microsoft is offering U.S. college students a free one-year Microsoft 365 Premium subscription, a free one-year Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, and a free Xbox controller with the purchase of a qualifying Windows laptop, including the IdeaPad Slim 3x. The bundle has a value of more than $500.

On the other hand, the MacBook Neo has some advantages over the IdeaPad Slim 3x:

Feature	MacBook Neo	IdeaPad Slim 3x
Display Resolution	2,408×1,506 pixels (Retina quality)	1,920×1,200 pixels
Display Brightness	500 nits	300 nits
Build Material	Fully aluminum enclosure	Mix of aluminum and plastic
Webcam	1080p camera	720p camera

Moreover, many reviewers indicated that the MacBook Neo has a superior trackpad and speakers compared to Windows laptops within the same price range. Plus, the MacBook Neo runs macOS instead of Windows, so it benefits from Apple's tight hardware and software integration and features that work across multiple Apple devices.

While it is unsurprising that this Microsoft-backed study is focused on promoting Windows laptops, the reality is that the MacBook Neo and the IdeaPad Slim 3x both have pros and cons. More competition in the affordable laptop market is a win overall.
This article, "New Study Highlights Advantages of $549 Windows Laptop Over MacBook Neo" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Plugable to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a MacBook Neo and a Plugable ‌MacBook Neo‌ accessory kit that includes the UD–6950PDH USB-C Docking Station, USBC–9IN1E USB-C Hub, and the PS–30C1 30W power adapter.


Plugable makes a wide range of accessories for Apple devices, and it is perhaps best known for its hubs and docks. There are several dock and hub options that work well with Apple's new low-cost ‌MacBook Neo‌, and Plugable's solutions are affordable.

The UD–6950PDH USB-C 14-in–1 Dock is priced at $180, and it adds multiple ports to the ‌MacBook Neo‌ or another Mac. There's a 5Gb/s USB-C port that also provides power for accessories, four 5Gb/s USB-A ports (one of which can power peripherals), microSD and SD card reader slots, a 100W USB-C port for charging a connected MacBook, a 1Gb/s Ethernet port, two HDMI ports, two DisplayPorts, and a K-Lock for security.


The dock supports two 4K 60Hz displays connected via HDMI or DisplayPort, and it uses DisplayLink software to get around display limitations on the ‌MacBook Neo‌ and other Macs. Even though the ‌MacBook Neo‌ only supports one external 4K display natively, with the dock, it can power two displays.


For those who only need a single display, Plugable has the $50 9-in–1 USB-C Hub. It connects to the ‌MacBook Neo‌ or another Mac via USB-C, adding several useful ports. Unlike the dock, it does not need an external power source because it is bus-powered.


The hub has a 10Gb/s USB-C port, an HDMI 2.0 port, microSD and SD card slots, a USB 2.0 port, two 10Gb/s USB-A ports (one offers 15W charging for accessories), a USB-C port for 125W passthrough charging to the connected Mac, and a Gigabit Ethernet port. Plugable currently has a 15% discount on the 9-in–1 Hub on Amazon.


Plugable's ‌MacBook Neo‌ accessory lineup is rounded out with a compact $24 USB-C Charger Block, which comes in either black or white. The power adapter provides 30W for the ‌MacBook Neo‌, which is ideal. It uses GaN technology so it's small in size, and it has collapsible prongs, making it ideal for travel. Plugable is offering a 16% discount on the power adapter on Amazon this week.


We have a ‌MacBook Neo‌ and a Plugable accessory kit to go along with it for one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner(s) and send the prize(s). You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, following us on Threads, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.


Plugable Giveaway (U.S. Only)The contest will run from today (May 8) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on May 15. The winner will be chosen randomly on or shortly after May 15 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.
This article, "MacRumors Giveaway: Win a MacBook Neo and Accessory Kit From Plugable" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The Apple laptop lineup recently expanded with the all new MacBook Neo, an entry-level Mac laptop aimed at students and more casual everyday users, while the MacBook Air recently got upgraded with the powerful M5 chip, making it more capable than ever before. This is leading many Mac shoppers to ask the obvious shoppers question; ... Read More

Apple's most affordable MacBook ever appears to be a resounding hit with customers, based on comments shared by CEO Tim Cook this week.


On an earnings call on Thursday, Cook said that customer response to the MacBook Neo has been "off the charts" since the laptop was unveiled in March.

"We could not be happier with how things are going at the moment," he said.

Apple was very optimistic about the MacBook Neo before announcing it, but the company still "undercalled" the level of enthusiasm that the laptop would generate, according to Cook. He said that MacBook Neo demand has exceeded Apple's expectations and helped to drive a record number of first-time Mac buyers last quarter.

"We're very focused on customers new to the Mac and customers that have been holding on to their Mac a very long period of time," said Cook.

As a result of high demand, Cook added that the MacBook Neo is currently "supply constrained." For orders placed today, Apple's online store in the U.S. currently shows a 2-3 week delivery estimate for all configurations of the laptop.

Apple released the MacBook Neo on March 11, following a week of pre-orders. In the U.S., pricing starts at just $599 for the general public and an even lower $499 for college students and qualifying educational staff. Powered by a version of the iPhone 16 Pro's A18 Pro chip, the laptop is available in Citrus, Blush, Indigo, and Silver finishes.
This article, "Apple Was Caught Off Guard by MacBook Neo's 'Off the Charts' Demand" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple's MacBook Neo has recently been struck by delayed delivery estimates on Apple.com, due to the notebook's booming popularity. However, both Walmart and Amazon offer deliveries as soon as tomorrow, and even feature small discounts on the Neo.



Following its launch in March, the ‌MacBook Neo‌ has become a big hit for Apple, with the company struggling to keep the computer in stock online and in Apple stores. As of writing, Apple.com quotes a 2-3 week delivery estimate on every model of the Neo in the U.S. and many other countries.

If you want to prioritize saving a bit of money, Amazon has every model of the MacBook Neo for $9 off this week. Free delivery options place the Neo arriving as soon as May 2, while Prime members can get same-day shipping on the 256GB models in many locations.

Over at Walmart, you won't find any discounts, but you will find similarly quick delivery estimates. Select locations should see delivery estimates as soon as April 28 through April 29 on every model of the ‌MacBook Neo‌. If you have Walmart+ instead of Amazon Prime, this could be a better option despite the lack of a straight cash discount.

The ‌MacBook Neo‌ is Apple's low-cost Mac, priced at $599 for the 256GB model and $699 for the 512GB model with Touch ID. Students can get the computer for even cheaper at $499 through Apple's education store on its website.

If you're shopping for the new M5 MacBook Air, Amazon is currently hosting big $150 discounts on nearly every model. Prices now start at $949.99 for the 512GB 13-inch model.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
This article, "MacBook Neo Still Seeing Extended Delivery Estimates at Apple, But Amazon and Walmart Have Stock" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today released a YouTube Short revealing a rare behind-the-scenes look at the making of its playful MacBook Neo introduction video.


The short clip gives what Apple describes as "a peek at some handmade magic," revealing the physical models and camera techniques used during production. Apple shows how real-world props were combined with visual effects to produce the final sequences. Apple does not usually share production insights for a major product launch videos.

See the original "Hello, MacBook Neo" video below:



The MacBook Neo launched in March at $599, and its introductory video was widely noted for its whimsey and charm. The ‌MacBook Neo‌ itself has proven to be very strong seller since its launch; Apple reportedly broke a Mac launch week record in the weeks following its debut, and the device has since sold out of inventory until the middle of next month.
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It's been a little over two weeks since the MacBook Neo launched on March 11, and MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has been using it daily to do a more thorough review.


At $599 (or $499 for students), the ‌MacBook Neo‌ is the cheapest laptop that Apple has come out with, and given the quality of the product, it's an impressive price. The A18 Pro chip isn't underpowered for a notebook machine, and the Neo is going to handle every day-to-day task that you might throw at it.

8GB RAM might sound like not enough because all of Apple's other Macs have 16GB or more, but Macs use RAM so efficiently that most people aren't going to miss having more RAM. If you're browsing the web, watching videos, managing documents, writing, scrolling through social media apps, sending emails, completing homework, and doing other light work, the ‌MacBook Neo‌ isn't going to struggle. 8GB RAM is also sufficient for all of the Apple Intelligence features that Apple has come out with so far.

The ‌MacBook Neo‌ works totally fine for editing photos and videos, but it's of course not as quick as Apple's MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with M-series chips. You're going to see slower export times, but the actual process of editing video on the ‌MacBook Neo‌ doesn't feel overly sluggish.

The ‌MacBook Neo‌ had no problems with 30 Chrome tabs open with YouTube, Google Docs, news sites, spreadsheets, Twitter, and more, even when other apps like Mail, Messages, and Spotify were running. Bumping up to 60 tabs used all of the available RAM, but everything running was usable with no freezing or beach balls. A Windows laptop probably wouldn't be able to operate like the Neo does on just 8GB RAM, but with Apple's SoC, it works.

There are some compromises with the ‌MacBook Neo‌ in addition to the RAM. You're not going to get Apple's best display, but it's not too far off the ‌MacBook Air‌ display. There's just no True Tone for adjusting the display white balance to the lighting in the room. You're limited to two USB-C ports (one limited to USB 2 speeds at 480Mb/s, which does impact how fast files transfer), and another that's USB 3 at 10Gb/s. There's no Thunderbolt, no MagSafe charger, no SD card slot, no HDMI port, and no backlighting for the keyboard. The trackpad is mechanical instead of Force Touch, but it works largely the same, and there's a 1080p camera.

Battery life is solid at up to 16 hours on a full charge, and the power draw is low enough that you can get some extra juice with a small power bank. The ‌MacBook Neo‌ only comes in 256GB and 512GB configurations, so storage is a bit limited, and we do recommend that 512GB upgrade for an extra $100 if you can swing it because it adds Touch ID to the keyboard. The ‌MacBook Neo‌ is slim and lightweight at 2.7 pounds, plus it comes in fun colors like blush, citrus, silver, and indigo.

The ‌MacBook Neo‌ is designed for students on a budget, parents buying a first laptop for a child, and people who just need a basic machine for everyday online tasks. It may be Apple's lowest tier Mac, but it is one of the best computers you can get in its price range.

Many competing Windows PCs and Chromebooks around the $600 mark are bulkier and uglier, with dimmer displays and less powerful chips. PC makers haven't had to try in the low-end market because Apple didn't compete there, but now that's changed.

There's a reason why ASUS CFO Nick Wu said that the ‌MacBook Neo‌ was a "shock" to the entire PC industry that's being taken "very seriously." PC makers are going to need to innovate to keep Apple from dominating the affordable and education market.
This article, "MacBook Neo Review: Can Apple's Cheapest Laptop Handle Real Work?" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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While the MacBook Neo is not "fast-charge capable," according to Apple's tech specs, the laptop can still charge faster with certain Apple chargers.


Apple includes its 20W USB-C Power Adapter with the MacBook Neo (except in the UK and the EU, where the laptop does not ship with a charger at all), but a new charging test has revealed that Apple's 35W Dual USB-C Port Compact Power Adapter is a better choice if you want the fastest charging speeds at the lowest additional cost from Apple.

In the video below, ChargerLAB shows that the MacBook Neo reaches a peak charging speed of 18W with the included 20W charger, but this rises to 30W with Apple's 35W adapter, which is available in two sizes for $59 on Apple's online store.


ChargerLAB did not show exactly how much time you can save by using the 35W charger over the 20W charger, but it is probably up to 20-30 minutes for a full charge.

Of course, a variety of 30W-and-higher chargers sold by Apple and other companies can charge the MacBook Neo at peak speeds of 28W to 30W, so look beyond Apple if you want to save money. If you stick with Apple, just know this: its 35W adapter is faster than the included 20W adapter, but its expensive 96W and 140W chargers do not charge the MacBook Neo any faster than the 35W adapter despite costing more.

MacBook Neo launched last Wednesday, and Apple's CEO Tim Cook today revealed that the Mac just had its best launch week ever with first-time buyers.
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Apple's CEO Tim Cook today said the Mac just had its "best launch week ever for first-time Mac customers," which suggests that the new MacBook Neo has been a hit with customers buying their first laptops or switching from Windows.


Apple released the MacBook Neo last Wednesday, March 11. In the U.S., pricing starts at just $599 for the general public and an even lower $499 for college students. The laptop is powered by a version of the iPhone 16 Pro's A18 Pro chip, and it is available in colorful finishes like Citrus, Blush, and Indigo, alongside traditional Silver.

Apple also released MacBook Air models with the M5 chip and MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips last week, so it was a big week for new Macs, but the affordable MacBook Neo is likely driving the record number of first-time Mac buyers.

If you want a MacBook Neo, you may have to wait. In the U.S., MacBook Neo orders placed through Apple's online store today are estimated to be delivered between April 6 and April 13. However, it may be possible to find a MacBook Neo sooner at one of Apple's retail stores, or through authorized resellers such as Amazon and Walmart.


This article, "Apple Announces New Mac Sales Record Following MacBook Neo Launch" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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A second-generation MacBook Neo with a touch screen has gone from a yes to a maybe to a no, according to rumors.


In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple has yet to decide whether to bring touch-screen support to any Macs beyond the next high-end MacBook Pro, which is expected to be released in late 2026 or early 2027.

A touch screen would slightly increase the cost of making the MacBook Neo, which is priced as low as $499, so the laptop will likely remain without one for years.

In September 2025, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the second-generation MacBook Neo "could" include touch support, but last week he said it "may" not happen after all, and now Gurman has completely ruled out the possibility for now.

"I'd be shocked if a touch screen comes to the Neo in the next three years," said Gurman.

Nevertheless, a second-generation MacBook Neo will likely be released next year, according to Kuo. The key upgrade should be the A19 Pro chip with an increased 12GB of RAM, up from the A18 Pro chip with 8GB of RAM in the current model.


This article, "MacBook Neo 2 With a Touch Screen Has Gone From Yes to Maybe to No" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple has released MacOS Tahoe 26.3.2 as a software update specifically and only for the all-new MacBook Neo. This makes the MacOS 26.3.2 update a day-one update for the Mac, and should therefore be installed right away for any new MacBook Neo owner. This update is not available for any other Mac. The update apparently ... Read More

MacBook Neo is available in four color options, and each color choice also has a color matched default wallpaper that if you look carefully kind of spells out “Mac”. And while the MacBook Neo is already a popular Mac for it’s colorful enclosures and impressive price tag, you don’t necessarily need to buy a MacBook ... Read More

The new MacBook Neo is equipped with two USB-C ports, but they are not the same. The left USB-C port supports USB 3 speeds of up to 10 Gb/s, while the right USB-C port closer to the trackpad is limited to USB 2 speeds of just 480 Mb/s. As a result, Apple says external display connectivity is supported on the left port only.


Given the ports are not labeled, this limitation could be an inconvenience. Fortunately, though, Daring Fireball's John Gruber said if you plug an external display into the incorrect port, macOS will alert you to use the other port.

Apple says the MacBook Neo supports one external display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz.

If you want to learn more about which features and specs you have to live without if you buy a MacBook Neo, read our in-depth list of compromises.

MacBook Neo is available to pre-order now, with U.S. pricing starting at $599 ($499 for college students). The laptop launches Wednesday, March 11.
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None of the new MacBook Neo, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro models unveiled this week come with a charger in the UK and EU countries, such as Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. This change began with the base 14-inch MacBook Pro last year.


If you need a power adapter, you must purchase one separately during checkout or later.

In all other countries, Apple includes a charger in the box with these Macs, at no additional cost. In the U.S., for example, the MacBook Neo ships with Apple's 20W USB-C Power Adapter (sold separately for $19), while the 16-inch MacBook Pro comes with Apple's 140W USB-C Power Adapter (sold separately for $99).

Apple includes a USB-C or MagSafe 3 charging cable with all of the new MacBooks sold worldwide.
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The new MacBook Neo is Apple's most affordable Mac notebook, and at $599, it's priced the same as the iPhone 17e. For teachers and college students, it's even more affordable at $499.


To offer a Mac at such a low price, Apple had to make some compromises, and there are some features that the ‌MacBook Neo‌ is lacking compared to the next most expensive Mac notebook, the MacBook Air.

Processor

• A18 Pro Chip - Apple is using an A-series chip instead of an M-series chip in the Neo. It has the A18 Pro chip that Apple debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro, but it is a binned version. It has a 6-core CPU and a 5-core GPU, while the ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro chip had a 6-core CPU and a 6-core GPU.


• RAM - The ‌MacBook Neo‌ has 8GB RAM with no option to pay for more. All other Macs start with 16GB. It still supports Apple Intelligence, because 8GB is the minimum for it.


• Memory bandwidth - Apple's chips use unified memory that's available to the CPU and GPU. Memory bandwidth in the Neo is 60GB/s, less than half that of the ‌MacBook Air‌.


• Storage - The ‌MacBook Neo‌ starts with 256GB of storage, and there's only a single 512GB upgrade. Other Macs support much higher capacity SSDs.


• Wi-Fi - The ‌MacBook Neo‌ has Wi-Fi 6E, but not Wi-Fi 7 because Apple did not include its new N1 networking chip.

Battery and Charging

• Battery capacity - The ‌MacBook Neo‌ is almost the same size as the ‌MacBook Air‌, but it has a shorter battery life. It lasts for up to 16 hours when streaming video, while the ‌MacBook Air‌ lasts for up to 18 hours. The battery has a 36.5-watt-hour capacity, while the ‌MacBook Air‌ has a 53.8-watt-hour battery.


• Battery size - Since the ‌MacBook Neo‌ is thicker than the ‌MacBook Air‌, it has even more room for a battery, but Apple didn't max out on battery life, which is likely a cost cutting measure. Apple is using older battery technology or a smaller battery. Battery life should theoretically be even longer because the A18 Pro chip doesn't draw as much power as the M5.


• No MagSafe - The ‌MacBook Neo‌ is limited to USB-C charging, and it does not include a MagSafe port.


• No fast charging - Apple ships the ‌MacBook Neo‌ with a 20W power adapter, and there is no mention of fast charging support.

Ports

• USB-C - There are two USB-C ports, one that's USB 3 and one that's USB 2. The USB3 port supports DisplayPort 1.4 and up to 10Gb/s transfer speeds, but the USB 2 port is limited to 480Mb/s.


• Display support - The ‌MacBook Neo‌ only supports a single external display at 4K 60Hz, though it may be possible to connect another with a third-party DisplayPort adapter.


• No Thunderbolt - There are no Thunderbolt ports on the ‌MacBook Neo‌ because Thunderbolt is not supported.


• No Studio Display - Since the Neo does not have Thunderbolt and is limited to 4K displays, it is not compatible with the Studio Display.

Design

• Display size - The ‌MacBook Neo‌ has a 13-inch display size, so it is Apple's smallest Mac notebook. The ‌MacBook Air‌ has a 13.6-inch display.


• Bezels - There is no notch on the Neo, but it does have thick iPad-style bezels at the top, bottom, and sides of the display. The bezel hides the FaceTime camera.


• Thickness - The Neo is just a little smaller than the ‌MacBook Air‌ when it comes to length and width, but it is thicker at 0.50 inches (vs 0.44 inches for the ‌MacBook Air‌).

Display

• No True Tone - The ‌MacBook Neo‌ does not support True Tone, which is the white balance feature that adjusts the temperature of the display to match the ambient lighting in the room, making it easier on the eyes.


• No P3 Wide color - sRGB is supported, but P3 Wide color is not, so the ‌MacBook Neo‌ won't have colors that are as true to life as other Mac notebooks.


• No ProMotion - Unsurprisingly, the ‌MacBook Neo‌ is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate and it does not support ProMotion.

Trackpad and Keyboard

• Backlighting - There is no backlight for the keyboard.


• Touch ID - Touch ID is not included with the base 256GB model, but you can get it by paying an extra $100 for the 512GB model.


• Trackpad - There isn't a Force Touch trackpad, with Apple instead adopting a less complicated physical Multi-Touch trackpad. The button on the trackpad is an actual button, rather than a virtual button with haptic feedback. There is no pressure-sensing feature, Force clicks, or pressure-sensitive drawing option.

Speakers and Camera

• FaceTime Camera - The ‌MacBook Neo‌ has a 1080p ‌FaceTime‌ HD camera like older Macs rather than the newer 12-megapixel Center Stage camera Apple has been adding to its newer models. There is no Center Stage or Desk View.


• Camera light - There's no little light to alert you when the ‌MacBook Neo‌ camera is on, with Apple instead displaying a warning on the menu bar.


• Speakers - The ‌MacBook Neo‌ has a dual-speaker sound system with speakers that are on the outer sides of the device. The ‌MacBook Air‌ has a four-speaker sound system with richer sound, but both the Neo and the Air support spatial audio.


• Microphones - There are only two microphones, but Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum are still supported for better clarity for calls.


• Headphone jack - There's a 3.5mm headphone jack, but it does not have support for high-impedance headphones.

MacBook Neo Pros

Even though the ‌MacBook Neo‌ has a simplified feature set compared to other Mac models, the price can't be beat. $599 for a Mac is an incredible deal, and the A18 Pro chip is more than adequate for daily use and the type of work that students do.

It's not the best choice for 3D rendering, running local AI models, video editing, or similar creative tasks, but it will do those things at a basic level. It's an ideal MacBook for anyone who doesn't need more than a machine for web browsing and other light work, and it will do everything an iPhone can do. These days, that's quite a bit.

For more on the differences between the ‌MacBook Neo‌ and the ‌MacBook Air‌, we have a dedicated comparison guide.

The ‌MacBook Neo‌ is available for pre-order now, and it is set to launch on Wednesday, March 11.
This article, "20+ MacBook Neo Compromises: What You Give Up for Apple's Cheapest Mac" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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