Apple tests MacBook Neo upgrade with A19 Pro and more memory
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says Apple is preparing a faster MacBook Neo, while shortages could raise the price of its budget laptop.
By Maya Lindqvist · Senior Technology Correspondent
2 min read
Apple is working on an updated MacBook Neo with a newer iPhone-class chip and more memory, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The reported changes matter for Mac buyers because the low-cost laptop may also become more expensive as memory and other component constraints hit PC makers.
Gurman reports that the next MacBook Neo is expected to use Apple’s A19 Pro processor. The same chip is used in the iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone Air, according to Bloomberg.
The current MacBook Neo runs on the A18 Pro, the chip Apple first used in the iPhone 16 Pro line, according to The Verge. Gurman’s report says the move to A19 Pro could also bring a memory increase, with the new model likely moving to 12GB of RAM from 8GB in the original version.
Price pressure could follow the upgrade
Apple is also considering new colors for the MacBook Neo refresh, according to Gurman. Analyst Tim Culpan earlier reported that Apple had been discussing ways to increase MacBook Neo production, a sign of demand for the entry-level Mac.
The Verge reports that ongoing shortages of components, including RAM, are likely to put upward pressure on pricing for the next MacBook Neo. The same outlet reported that Apple raised prices across nearly all of its devices last month.
Another possible price change could come from Apple’s product lineup choices. The Verge previously reported that Apple could drop the lowest-priced 256GB MacBook Neo configuration, which would raise the entry price if no replacement base model takes its place.
More Mac updates are reported
Gurman also reports that Apple is preparing new iMacs with OLED displays. The iMac was last refreshed in 2024, according to The Verge.
Apple’s higher-end notebooks are also part of the reported roadmap. Gurman says M6 MacBook Pro models and OLED touchscreen MacBooks remain in development, with the OLED machines expected late this year or early next year.
For 2027, Gurman reports that Apple is planning a redesigned base 14-inch MacBook Pro using an M7 chip. The reported mix of updates would extend Apple’s display and processor changes across both its budget MacBook line and more expensive Mac models.
Apple has not announced the MacBook Neo refresh, the OLED iMacs or the future MacBook Pro models described in Gurman’s report. The timing, pricing and final specifications remain unconfirmed.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.