Apple is reportedly considering discontinuing the base variant of its MacBook Neo just months after its launch. The Cupertino-based tech giant is evaluating ways to manage rising production costs, according to a report by Taiwan-based tech columnist Tim Culpan. The move could see the entry-level 256GB storage model removed from the lineup, effectively raising the device's starting price without altering the pricing of individual configurations. Currently, the MacBook Neo starts at $599 for the 256GB version, while the 512GB model is priced at $699.
Cost Pressures and Supply Constraints
Culpan suggests that Apple is considering removing the lowest-tier storage option due to rising component costs. This strategy would encourage buyers to choose higher-priced configurations rather than implementing a straight price hike. The decision is a function of supply constraints and demand pressures. Apple has reportedly increased its production target for the MacBook Neo to around 10 million units, up from an earlier estimate of 5 to 6 million, following stronger-than-expected demand. Shipping timelines have also extended to two to three weeks across models.
The MacBook Neo is powered by the A18 Pro chip, which is also used in the iPhone 16 Pro lineup. However, the supply of these chips has been affected by limited manufacturing capacity at TSMC, as demand from AI-related workloads has put pressure on available 3nm production capacity.
Similar Adjustments to Other Mac Products
Apple has recently made similar adjustments to other Mac products. The company discontinued lower storage configurations for devices such as the Mac mini and Mac Studio, leading to higher entry prices in some markets. These changes were also linked to memory shortages and increased demand.
In the case of the MacBook Neo, initial production reportedly used lower-bin versions of the A18 Pro chip with one GPU core disabled. Future batches may rely on fully functional chips, further increasing per-unit costs.
Potential Alternatives
As an alternative to removing the base model, Apple is also said to be considering introducing new colour options for the current-generation MacBook Neo to offset potential pricing adjustments.
