Apple announced it has doubled its planned 2026 MacBook Neo production to 10 million units from an original target of 5 million, citing strong demand since the product’s March launch [1, 2].
The MacBook Neo, Apple’s most affordable MacBook ever, starts at $599 in the U.S. with a discounted price of $499 for college students. The laptop is powered by the iPhone's A18 Pro chip and comes in colorful finishes including Citrus and Blush [1].
Apple CEO Tim Cook described customer response to the MacBook Neo as "off the charts," saying demand exceeded expectations and led to record numbers of first-time Mac buyers in the past quarter [1, 2].
The surge in MacBook Neo sales contrasts with the larger PC market, where market research firm IDC forecasts an 11.3% decline in overall PC sales for 2026, with slow recovery expected through 2030 [2]. Despite this, IDC revised its notebook shipment forecasts upward, attributing the change to the MacBook Neo's popularity [2].
Laptop maker Dell recently redesigned its XPS 13 to compete with the MacBook Neo’s market impact. The XPS 13 now starts at $699 and offers features not found on the MacBook Neo such as a touch screen and backlit keyboard. Dell described Apple’s new laptop as "a capable machine" confirming demand for premium quality at accessible prices [1].
Q1 2026 PC shipments grew 3% year-over-year as buyers accelerated purchases ahead of possible price increases and shortages [2].
Looking ahead, Apple plans to launch a second-generation MacBook Neo next year featuring an A19 Pro chip and 12GB of RAM [1].
