Apple released the all-new MacBook Neo earlier this year, and it’s been a resounding success by all indications. Here’s everything we know so far about what’s next for Apple’s most affordable laptop …
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Years ago, MacBooks incorporated a slot for using a cable lock to secure the device to a table leg or similar. They were most useful in coffee shops when you wanted to return to the counter to order another drink without having to carry your laptop with you.
Those slots are long gone, but you can now buy adapters to secure your MacBook Neo, MacBook Air or MacBook Pro …
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In recent years, Macs had been getting more and more affordable. Cheaper starting points, more memory and storage per dollar, and the introduction of MacBook Neo. For the first time, Apple had started to become one of the best values on the market.
Unfortunately, Apple just drastically increased its prices because of the ongoing memory shortage. Macs aren’t as appealing as they were a few weeks ago, that said, there’s still some decent deals out there – and if you’re in need of a new computer, I’d still say todays Macs are a good value against the rest of the computing market.
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MacBook Neo is still only a few months old, but it’s been a big hit for Apple. And rumors say its successor is coming next year, with MacBook Neo 2 getting the key upgrade it needs most: more RAM.
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A few months back, the MacBook Neo took the tech world by storm, delivering the best-value laptop of 2026. Even after the recent price increase, it remains the most recommended entry-level laptop for most people. And just like Apple’s other cost-effective products, they brought some playful colors into the mix, like Citrus, Blush, Indigo, and Silver, giving these MacBooks a pop of personality and color. But one gripe I had was that most MacBook accessories are color-matched to the traditional silver or space grey colors. That is where Satechi comes in with their new trio of color-matched accessories for the MacBook Neo. They add more ports, connectivity, and functionality without taking away from what makes the Neo visually unique. Here is what you should know!
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New data from IDC shows that Apple was the only major PC vendor to post significant shipment growth in Q2 2026, with the broader market declining for the first time in more than two years. Here are the details.
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Apple announced sweeping price increases across its product lineup yesterday, including raising the base price of the MacBook Neo from $599 to $699.
As something of a consolation, Apple today added the MacBook Neo to its Certified Refurbished store. This gives shoppers a way to save, while still buying directly from Apple.
You can, however, get a brand new MacBook Neo for even less on Amazon …
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Earlier this week, I outlined three reasons for agreeing with Mark Gurman that the Apple price increases could be imminent, and that indeed proved to be the case.
iPhones have escaped the increases, but they are otherwise both broad-reaching and pretty dramatic. But perhaps the most surprising thing is that the MacBook Neo has been included …
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A new IDC report (via TechCrunch) offers a glimpse into MacBook Neo sales in its first few weeks compared to the also-new M5 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models.
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It was clear that the launch of the MacBook Neo at just $599 took most Windows PC makers by surprise. However, Dell appears to have had a strong suspicion of what was coming as the company has just launched its own direct competitor, (sort of) starting at the same price.
Apple also has a new rival when it comes to Apple Silicon. Nvidia has just announced its first ever PC chip which also aims to provide a similar leap forward in performance …
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Following a quick comment during Apple’s Q2 2026 earnings call, the Kansas City Public Schools website has elaborated on its plan to transition to an “all-Apple district.” Here are the details.
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MacBook Neo shipping estimates are starting to improve for the first time since Apple’s $599 laptop launched. The shorter wait times line up with a recent report claiming Apple ordered more A18 Pro chips due to higher-than-expected demand.
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Without a doubt, the MacBook Neo is a smash hit. Apple talked about the success of the new laptop on its most recent earnings call, warning that supply constraints will continue into the current quarter.
Analyst Tim Culpan today reports that Apple now plans to make about 10 million MacBook Neos in total, about twice as many as it initially ordered. This will entail its chip supplier TSMC manufacturing a new run of A18 Pro chips to power the machines, which Apple will inevitably have to foot the bill for.
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Apple’s launch of the MacBook Neo – and especially the incredible price/performance balance – sent shockwaves through the Windows world.
Intel has now responded with the launch of a CPU aimed at similar budget laptops. An early benchmark suggests that it is 21% faster than the A18 Pro used in the MacBook Neo …
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The all-new $599 MacBook Neo has been a hit for Apple since the delightful introductory video in March. Now Apple has shared a behind-the-scenes look at how it made the magic.
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Apple has a chip problem. MacBook Neo is selling far better than the company had expected, and now it seems like there aren’t enough binned A18 Pro chips to keep the production run going for another 6-12 months before a new version is released.
Some have floated the idea of Apple axing the 256GB trim, and just using an unbinned A18 Pro chip in the 512GB trim. That’s certainly plausible. I do wonder though, how can Apple prevent this from happening with every forthcoming MacBook Neo?
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Apple has sold through its MacBook Neo inventory for April. The earliest deliveries for new MacBook Neo orders from Apple now quote delivery dates in May.
MacBook Neo’s launch has resembled a flagship iPhone launch more than a typical Mac release. After more than a month since its release, customers continue to purchase the $599 laptop faster than Apple can produce them.
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The effects of MacBook Neo continue to ripple through the PC industry this week.
As spotted by The Verge, Microsoft has introduced a new “Microsoft College Offer” initiative. Through this, college students in the US can score 12 months free of Microsoft 365 Premium and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with the purchase of an eligible PC, plus a free custom Xbox controller.
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Even Windows fans saw the MacBook Neo as a stunning buy, with many saying that Microsoft and other brands were going to be forced to respond. Microsoft has now done so – but in completely the wrong way.
Yesterday saw the announcement of some very steep Microsoft Surface price hikes across the full range of models. The 13-inch version matching the MacBook Neo display size has cumulatively seen a staggering 50% increase from its original price of $999 to $1,499 today …
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Last week a new report on the MacBook Neo’s success contained details on Apple’s plan for the product’s successor, and the next-gen Neo already sounds like a big upgrade.
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The MacBook Neo is already available in a fun choice of colors, but some people like to go further by giving their machine a more personalized look.
Some do this with skins, cases, or silicone key covers, but you can switch up the color combo using official Apple parts for as little as $39 …
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If you’ve thought the MacBook Neo could be for you, but the 512GB maximum storage size wasn’t enough, a YouTuber may have good news for you.
They carried out a DIY upgrade to swap out the SSD for a 1TB one, which is also faster than the stock one supplied in the device …
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Repairability ratings based on official government criteria in Europe have found that Apple gets the worst ratings for the repairability of both iPhones and MacBooks.
However, in the laptop rankings the MacBook Neo was found to be very much an exception, so perhaps there’s hope for the future …
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I would argue that Apple currently has its best MacBook lineup it’s ever offered. Since the release of the MacBook Neo, they now have a really strong option at every price point. But at the same time, there is a slight awkward issue. The MacBook Neo is now the default recommendation for anyone who just wants a Mac laptop, and if you need Pro-level features and hardware, you go with the MacBook Pro. So where does that leave the M5 MacBook Air? Who is the target customer now? The MacBook Air is no longer the de facto entry-level computer, but it’s also not as powerful as the Pro-level MacBooks, so who should buy the MacBook Air?
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