Apple is about to discontinue the $599 MacBook Neo despite its popularity.

Apple may have to discontinue production of the 256GB MacBook Neo due to rising costs and supply shortages.

According to CNET , questions about the future of the 256GB MacBook Neo were raised shortly after Apple announced it would discontinue the basic Mac Mini line and raise the retail price of this desktop model from $599 to $799.

The MacBook Neo is equipped with a select version of the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro, yet it still attracts customers.

PHOTO: CNET

In his Culpium report, analyst Tim Culpan stated that Apple is preparing for a new production run of the MacBook Neo, with the expected quantity increasing from 5-6 million units to 10 million. However, having used up its supply of A18 Pro chips from the iPhone 16 Pro, Apple will need to produce a new batch of A18 Pro chips for these Neo models. Producing the new chips will reduce the Neo's profit margin, so Culpan suggests Apple may decide to discontinue the $599 version, instead positioning the $699 MacBook Neo as the "basic" option.

Apple did not anticipate the MacBook Neo selling so well.

Launched in March, the MacBook Neo quickly became a bestseller. CEO Tim Cook admitted the company was optimistic about the product but underestimated the level of enthusiasm the MacBook Neo received. Due to high demand, Apple sold off its MacBook Neo inventory faster than expected, so the company needed to produce more of the current model to meet demand.

At the core of the MacBook Neo are selected versions of the A18 Pro chip from the production batch for the iPhone 16 Pro. These chips have a minor defect in one of the six graphics cores and were not used in the iPhone 16 Pro, resulting in the MacBook Neo having only five GPU cores.

Faced with rising production costs for the second production run, Apple may eliminate the lowest-priced 256GB version, similar to what it did with the Mac Mini. If this happens, the $699 version with a 512GB SSD and Touch ID will become the only option.

Additionally, users shouldn't expect a new MacBook Neo version with a superior graphics-performance A18 Pro chip, as Apple may disable one of the GPUs to ensure consistency. However, users might be welcomed with new color options for the Neo to mitigate negative reactions to the price increase.

Ultimately, while some may not be too upset that the $599 version is gone, many others, such as students and teachers, will undoubtedly regret the departure of this option, regardless of whether new colors are available or not.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/apple-sap-khai-tu-macbook-neo-gia-599-usd-du-ban-chay-185260508122815742.htm