MacBook Neo

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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?

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. 

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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?

If you’re in the market for Apple’s colorful new MacBook Neo, you might have to wait a few weeks to get your hands on one. Here’s the latest on MacBook Neo availability, and where you might be able to find one sooner.

The new MacBook Neo has apparently been a smash hit, and Apple will likely talk up its success at its next quarterly earnings call. But, in what can be considered a good problem to have, Apple is facing a bit of a supply chain predicament. Its stock of A18 Pro chips — the previous-gen iPhone processor that powers the Neo — is reportedly running low according to respected analyst Tim Culpan.

One of the ways Apple got the price of the Neo down was by using leftover, binned, A18 Pro chips that were originally destined for life inside iPhone 16 Pro. If it needs to ramp up production again, though, the laptop’s margins will be squeezed.

I’ve had the MacBook Neo for a month, and it’s been an absolute pleasure to use. The Neo has been one of the more exciting new Apple products in a while. It gives you insane value, amazing build quality, and great performance, especially for the price. But to get the price down to $599, Apple had to make some compromises. To elevate my experience a bit, I added a few budget-friendly accessories that I think anyone can add to their MacBook Neo setup!

Apple is doubling down on the adorable mini-Finder character it created for the MacBook Neo campaign. Watch the ads here.

TrendForce has revised its 2026 notebook shipment forecast downward, with Apple standing out as the exception. Here are the details.