In a conference call in late April, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that customer response to the MacBook Neo was “off the charts” and that the laptop’s popularity would have led the company to significantly increase production.
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said this week that he believes MacBook Neo shipments to Apple have doubled from an initial target of 5 million units to 10 million units in 2026, at some point after the laptop’s launch in March.
Apple was very optimistic about the MacBook Neo before announcing it, but the company still “underestimated” the level of excitement the laptop would generate, according to Cook. He said demand for MacBook Neo exceeded Apple’s expectations and helped drive a record number of new 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 starting at $699 and said it has features “you won’t find on a MacBook Neo,” like a touchscreen and backlit keyboard.
“Apple’s MacBook Neo is a capable machine, and its arrival confirms that there is a real appetite for premium quality at accessible prices,” Dell admitted.
With a starting price of $599 in the United States, or $499 for students, the MacBook Neo is Apple’s most affordable MacBook. Powered by the iPhone’s A18 Pro chip, the laptop comes in colorful finishes like Citrus and Blush.
A second-generation MacBook Neo is expected to launch next year with an A19 Pro chip and 12GB of RAM.
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