Apple reportedly didn't expect the new MacBook Neo to be super popular, but strong demand has the company running out of stock and parts. The cheap MacBook's success has caused the company to run out of A18 Pro chips that were "binned" or not rejected for not meeting the full specifications of the iPhone 16 Pro.
It's a good laptop that immediately took the top spot on our picks for the best budget laptops available.
A new report from independent journalist Tim Culpan asserts that Apple was using the binned chips in the MacBook Neo to hit the aggressive $599 price. However, he claims the company only planned to make between 5 and 6 million MacBook Neos using the leftover supply.
Right now, if you tried to buy a MacBook Neo from the Apple website, you wouldn't get the laptop for between 2 and 3 weeks. Ordering from the official Apple Store faces even longer delays.
Every colorway is delayed except for the silver variant on Amazon, which you can allegedly get in 3 to 4 days. The more expensive 512GB version with Touch ID is equally delayed, except on Amazon, which appears to have plenty of stock.
How long you'll wait
Apple Store |
Apple Online |
Amazon |
Best Buy |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
256GB in Silver |
3 to 4 weeks |
2 to 3 weeks |
3 to 4 days |
1 week |
256GB in Blush |
3 to 4 weeks |
2 to 3 weeks |
2 to 4 weeks |
1 week |
256GB in Citrus |
3 to 4 weeks |
2 to 3 weeks |
1 to 2 weeks |
3 days |
256GB in Indigo |
3 to 4 weeks |
2 to 3 weeks |
3 to 5 weeks |
1 week |
512GB in Silver |
3 to 4 weeks |
2 to 3 weeks |
1 to 2 days |
1 week |
512GB in Blush |
3 to 4 weeks |
2 to 3 weeks |
1 to 2 days |
2 weeks |
512GB in Citrus |
3 to 4 weeks |
2 to 3 weeks |
1 to 2 days |
3 days |
512GB in Indigo |
3 to 4 weeks |
2 to 3 weeks |
1 to 2 days |
1 to 2 weeks |
Next moves
The cheap laptop has proved exceptionally popular to the point that Apple's stock of A18 Pro chips is running out. Now, Apple is trying to decide how to proceed.
One option is to have its partner, TSMC, restart A18 Pro production, but the company is already operating at full capacity for both Apple and other companies using its 3nm process.
Apple could drop the $599 base model, leaving only the $699 variant. The company could also speed up production of the MacBook Neo 2, which should feature the A19 Pro silicon.
All come with higher margins, but Apple could accept lower profits since the Neo is an entry point into the macOS ecosystem.
Not the only Mac delay
The MacBook Neo isn't the only Mac device Apple is struggling to keep in stock. Last week, 9to5Mac reported that the Mac Studio was facing a delivery delay of 4 to 5 months.
The Mac mini is backordered into mid-May. Again, Amazon seems to have more stock, with a 2- to 3-week delay for the 256GB version.
Unlike the Neo, which appears to be delayed thanks to popularity, the desktop Macs are likely suffering from the AI-created RAM crisis. Apple has already dropped some RAM and storage configurations due to an inability to source components.
RAM prices recently started dropping, offering a glimmer of hope, but in the immediate future, expect delays and stock shortages of Apple devices.
That all said, the new MacBook Air M5 seems to be plenty available, though it starts at nearly double the price of the cheapest 13-inch configuration.
