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).
This figure is particularly striking given that the laptop was only available for about three weeks over that period, after going on sale in mid-March. Shipments began to increase from early April, suggesting that the March figures underestimate underlying demand. For comparison, the MacBook Air M5 shipped over 900,000 units in its first quarter, while the MacBook Pro M5 shipped 550,000.
Apple introduced the MacBook Neo in early March with a starting price of $599, about 45% less than 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, as well as 8GB of RAM, to achieve the lower price point.
Of the units shipped globally during the quarter, 44% went to the US, while India accounted for around 18,000 shipments despite the short availability window, with retailers reportedly struggling to secure adequate stock.
Counterpoint Research said the importance of the MacBook Neo extends beyond its early sales, noting that it helps Apple compete in cheaper laptop segments where Macs have historically had little presence.
Although it’s still early, the MacBook Neo launch stands out as one of the most strategically important recent Mac releases, especially as the broader PC market faces rising memory costs and “contraction inflation” as Apple expands its reach.
The MacBook Neo could eventually help Apple increase its share of the $400-$699 laptop market from about 2% to about 15%. IDC believes this opportunity extends to the consumer laptop and small business segments, beyond first-time buyers. The popularity of the MacBook Neo could also supplant some older models, including the M1, M2 and M3 MacBook Air, which have historically generated volumes in markets like India when sold at discounted prices during sales events.
The launch is already generating reactions from competitors. Dell this week unveiled a new XPS 13 laptop starting at $699, aimed at the same segment, citing the arrival of the MacBook Neo as evidence of strong demand for premium laptops at accessible prices. IDC forecasts a “very strong increase” in MacBook Neo shipments in the current quarter as Apple addresses supply constraints and expands availability.
