MacBook Neo Faces Supply Shortages on High Demand

Apple's MacBook Neo, the company's most affordable laptop to date starting at $599 for consumers and $499 for education customers, has generated overwhelming demand since its March 11 launch, leading to supply shortages across configurations.

CEO Tim Cook shared the positive customer response during the company's Q2 2026 earnings call on Thursday, describing enthusiasm as "off the charts" and noting that Apple had "undercalled the level of enthusiasm." The laptop has driven a record number of first-time Mac buyers in the recent quarter and appealed to long-time users upgrading from older models. Cook highlighted adoption by school systems, including Kansas City Public Schools, which are replacing aging Chromebooks and Windows PCs. "We're very focused on customers new to the Mac and customers that have been holding on to their Mac a very long period of time," he said. U.S. online orders placed now face delivery estimates of up to 23 weeks.

The 13-inch MacBook Neo features an aluminum enclosure in Citrus, Blush, Indigo, and Silver finishes, a Liquid Retina display with 2400-by-1506 resolution, 500 nits brightness, and support for 1 billion colors. It is powered by Apple's A18 Pro...