Apple sold over 1 million MacBook Neos in 3 weeks.

The MacBook Neo sold 1.1 million units in just three weeks. Priced at $599, the device helped Apple expand its market share and directly threaten Windows PC manufacturers.

According to data from market research firm IDC shared with TechCrunch , Apple shipped 1.1 million MacBook Neo units in the quarter ending in March, surpassing the launch sales of the recent MacBook Air M5 (900,000) and MacBook Pro M5 (550,000).

Navkendar Singh, Vice President of IDC, said the figure was remarkable because Neo had only been on sale for about three weeks in the quarter since mid-March. He added that shipments began to surge from the beginning of April.

The MacBook Neo's success exceeded all of Apple's expectations, according to CEO Tim Cook. Photo: Cnet

Introduced in early March with a starting price of $599, about 45% lower than the standard MacBook Air, the MacBook Neo makes Macs more accessible to users.

This laptop model retains much of Apple's design language and premium feel, including the aluminum chassis and 13-inch Liquid Retina display, but sacrifices some elements to achieve a lower price, such as using the A18 Pro chip instead of the M-series processor and only offering 8GB of memory in the standard version.

To date, the market appears to be responding positively to Apple's strategy. According to Singh, demand for the Neo line has exceeded expectations in several countries, where retailers are struggling to secure sufficient inventory.

According to IDC, of ​​the MacBook Neo models shipped globally in the first quarter, 44% were destined for the US market.

"The price of Windows laptops is rising, and Neo's attractive price point has led to very high demand for the product," Singh told TechCrunch.

Neo's popularity could also reshape Apple's strategy in markets like India, where older MacBook models like the Air M1, M2, and M3 have historically been drivers of sales growth when sold at discounted prices during promotional events, according to IDC senior market analyst Bharath Shenoy.

Speaking at the company's earnings call in April, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that customer response to the MacBook Neo had "exceeded all expectations" and acknowledged the company was facing supply shortages following its launch.

He also confirmed that Apple set a record in the first quarter for the number of first-time Mac buyers, partly thanks to the boost from the Neo line.

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According to research firm Counterpoint Research, Neo's importance extends beyond its initial sales figures.

This device is helping Apple expand its traditional customer base by attracting first-time Mac buyers and competing in the budget laptop segment, where Macs have traditionally had very little market share, according to David Naranjo, Vice President at Counterpoint. He added that Neo could ultimately help Apple increase its market share from 2% to around 15% in the $400-$699 laptop segment.

He considers the MacBook Neo to be one of Apple's most important Mac releases strategically in recent times, especially as the PC market faces numerous challenges regarding memory costs and inflation.

Mr. Singh of IDC believes that the MacBook Neo could help Apple gain more market share in the consumer and small business laptop segment.

The initial success of the MacBook Neo has prompted competitors to respond. This week, Dell unveiled the new XPS 13, starting at $699.

The company stated that the launch of the MacBook Neo demonstrated strong demand for high-quality laptops at more accessible price points.

Apple did not respond to a request for comment.

(According to TechCrunch)

With soaring prices, gaming has officially become a luxury . From console prices and subscription fees to game disc prices, everything has increased sharply, plunging gamers into an unprecedented wave of price hikes across both hardware and software.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/apple-ban-hon-1-trieu-macbook-neo-chi-trong-3-tuan-2522362.html