Apple’s MacBook Neo, the company’s cheapest laptop priced at $599, is experiencing significant shipping delays due to overwhelming demand. Initially launched on March 4, 2023, with shipping beginning on March 11, the device’s overwhelming popularity has led to two to three-week shipping estimates across all configurations on Apple’s website.
The MacBook Neo, powered by the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro and featuring a fanless design, specifically targets budget-conscious consumers and first-time Mac buyers. Apple originally planned to produce 5 million units by 2026, but increased this target to 10 million after the MacBook Neo achieved the best launch week ever for first-time Mac customers.
All configurations of the MacBook Neo are now subject to shipping delays of two to three weeks, with in-store pickup times extending to three to four weeks in most metropolitan areas. Limited availability is reported on Amazon, where some 512GB models may ship within days, while others face similar backlogs.
Reports indicate that Apple may run out of A18 Pro chips entirely due to its miscalculation of demand. Sources suggest that the A18 Pro chip supply issue is confined to the MacBook Neo and is not part of a broader memory shortage affecting other Mac products. Delays for the Mac mini and Mac Studio, for instance, are mainly due to a global DRAM shortage linked to increased demand from AI servers.
Asus CFO Nick Wu remarked that the MacBook Neo has shocked the market with its demand, indicating the product’s impact on competitor strategies, as they also confront DRAM shortages that may delay their responses until late 2027.
Apple is scheduled to report its quarterly earnings on April 30, where it is anticipated to discuss current supply chain challenges and provide insights into future strategies regarding production and inventory management.
