Apple is planning a major update for its affordable laptop line, with the second-generation MacBook Neo expected in 2027. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests this new model could introduce a touchscreen, marking a significant shift for Apple’s budget-friendly Mac lineup.
The MacBook Neo was unveiled this week as an entry-level laptop starting at $599, with special education pricing at $499. Apple aims to compete with lower-cost Windows laptops and Chromebooks while offering a more accessible option for students and first-time Mac users.
Specifications
Unlike other Apple silicon Macs, the MacBook Neo runs on the A18 Pro chip, originally designed for the iPhone 16 Pro. It has a colorful, rounded design and a 13-inch Liquid Retina display with iPad-style bezels instead of a notch. Other features include a color-matched Magic Keyboard, a mechanical trackpad, two USB-C ports, 8GB of memory, a headphone jack, a 1080p camera, dual microphones, dual speakers with Spatial Audio, and up to 16 hours of battery life.
Last year, Kuo accurately predicted that the MacBook Neo would enter mass production in late 2025, but without touchscreen support. His latest insights reveal that the second-generation model could finally add touch functionality. Apple’s first touchscreen Mac is expected later this year in a high-end MacBook Pro featuring an OLED display.
The new MacBook Neo is reported to use on-cell touch technology, which embeds touch sensors directly into the display layer. This design reduces screen thickness while enabling smoother touch interactions. After macOS 27 introduces touch support, more MacBooks could adopt similar technology, keeping pace with competitors from HP, Lenovo, Acer, and Asus.
As of September 2025, specifications for the next Neo remain unconfirmed, but Kuo suggests a faster A19 Pro chip and 12GB of memory are likely. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also hinted Apple may extend the “Neo” branding to other budget devices, including the Apple Watch SE, potentially creating an “Apple Watch Neo.”
The second-generation MacBook Neo could reshape Apple’s entry-level laptop market while slowly bringing touchscreens to more Macs.
