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Apple’s $599 MacBook Neo Hits Supply Constraints as Demand Surges

Tim Cook says the company underestimated interest in its new entry-level Mac.

Overview

  • Apple says the MacBook Neo is supply constrained, so new orders may face delivery delays according to Tim Cook’s recent earnings call remarks.
  • The Neo targets students and first‑time Mac buyers with a starting price of $599 and lower education pricing reported at $499.
  • The laptop uses a binned A18 Pro chip from Apple’s phones, pairs it with 8GB of unified memory, and limits storage to 256GB or 512GB to keep costs down.
  • Reviews report quick, strong performance in short tasks but clear throttling during long, heavy workloads, with battery life near Apple’s 16‑hour video claim.
  • Cook cited examples of public schools moving from Chromebooks and Windows PCs, a sign the low price could pull more budget buyers into the Mac ecosystem.