Apple is contemplating introducing new colors to its MacBook Neo lineup to mitigate the impact of a potential price increase. The entry-level laptop’s popularity has led to increased component costs for Apple. To maintain customer interest despite potential price hikes, Apple is considering new color options. Currently, the MacBook Neo is available in Citrus, Blush, Indigo, and Silver, starting at $599. The company has not finalized which new colors might be added.
The price pressure arises from Apple’s decision to significantly boost production, following higher-than-expected demand. Suppliers have been asked to prepare for 10 million units, up from the initial 5 to 6 million target. Shipping estimates on Apple’s website are currently two to three weeks in the U.S. and other countries, with factories in Vietnam and China striving to meet orders.
Meeting the increased production target hinges on acquiring more A18 Pro chips from TSMC, which are also used in the iPhone 16 Pro. The initial chip batch, produced two years ago, is depleted, and TSMC’s 3nm capacity is largely occupied by AI clients. The first batch of A18 Pro chips contained minor defects, repurposed for the Neo by disabling one of the six GPU cores. Future production will involve higher-quality chips, increasing costs before accounting for any expedited production fees from TSMC.
Additionally, DRAM prices have risen due to AI data center demands, further elevating the laptop’s production costs. Apple has not dismissed the possibility of a price increase for the Neo.
