Apple has a dilemma that most manufacturers wouldn't mind solving. The new budget-friendly MacBook Neo is selling so fast that the tech giant might run out of laptops before it can make more.
One of the ways Apple was able to hit such a low price for the Neo was by using a "binned" version of the A18 Pro chip, a leftover from the iPhone 16 Pro. These binned chips have a slight manufacturing defect in one of their six integrated graphics cores -- that's why the MacBook Neo has five GPU cores, while the iPhone 16 Pro has six. Instead of spending money to manufacture a processor for the Neo, Apple simply drew on a supply it already had.
The problem, according to Tim Culpan in his Culpium newsletter, is that this supply of binned A18 Pro processors is finite and running low. Culpan reports that Apple had planned to make between 5 and 6 million MacBook Neos. With demand outpacing supply, Apple may need to produce more Neos before next year's update arrives.
Next year's MacBook Neo is rumored to feature Apple's A19 Pro processor and 12GB of unified memory. This year's version has an A18 Pro chip and 8GB of RAM.
Matt Elliott/CNETA19 Pro rumored for next year's Neo
Culpan also reports that next year's MacBook Neo will feature binned A19 Pro chips leftover from the iPhone 17 Pro. While that's the logical next step after the A18 Pro-based inaugural model released last month, Apple has yet to share its future plans for the Neo. If the second-gen Neo arrives with the A19 Pro, it will also come with 12GB of unified memory. The A18 Pro has only 8GB of unified memory.
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Starting a new run of A18 Pro chips isn't as simple as it sounds, and it's certainly not as cost-effective as using chips that you've already made that are doing nothing but collecting dust in a warehouse. If Apple manufactures a new batch of A18 Pro chips, it may need to increase the Neo's price. With the rising costs of RAM, storage and aluminum, Apple faces multiple challenges to maintain the MacBook Neo's low entry price of $599.
Turning lock button into a Touch ID sensor is part of the Neo's $100 upgrade that also comes with more storage.
Matt Elliott/CNETThe other option is to accelerate the Neo's update schedule and release the A19 Pro version earlier than its expected arrival in spring 2027.
Could we see a new Neo before the end of this year? It's doubtful Apple could move up the release of the second-gen Neo in time for the holiday shopping season. But if it does, please let me add Touch ID to my holiday wish list for the baseline MacBook Neo -- while keeping its low starting price.