Apple’s low-cost MacBook Neo may not get a touch screen anytime soon, despite earlier speculation suggesting otherwise. The idea has shifted from possible to unlikely, based on fresh rumors from industry insiders.
In his latest Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman reported that Apple still has not made a final call on expanding touch support across the Mac lineup. For now, the company is only considering the feature for the next high-end MacBook Pro. That model is expected to launch in late 2026 or early 2027.
The MacBook Neo, however, appears to be out of that plan. Adding a touch screen would slightly raise production costs. That matters because the MacBook Neo starts at $499. Apple positions it as an affordable option, so even a small increase could affect its pricing strategy. As a result, the laptop will likely remain without touch support for years.
Back in September 2025, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the second-generation MacBook Neo “could” feature touch input. However, his tone changed last week. He suggested the upgrade “may” not happen after all. Now, Gurman has taken a firmer stance. “I’d be shocked if a touch screen comes to the Neo in the next three years,” he said.
Even so, Apple is still preparing a new version of the MacBook Neo. According to Kuo, the second-generation model should arrive next year. The biggest upgrade will likely be the A19 Pro chip. It is also expected to ship with 12GB of RAM. That would be an improvement over the current A18 Pro chip and 8GB of RAM.
