Apple’s Cheap MacBook Neo Might Not Stay Cheap For Long
Apple’s MacBook Neo has been interesting for one very simple reason: it made the idea of a cheaper MacBook feel real again. But that US$599 starting price — roughly RM2,800 before local taxes and Malaysia pricing adjustments — might not be safe for much longer.
According to analyst Tim Culpan, Apple may drop the entry-level US$599 MacBook Neo configuration and keep only the US$699 model, which comes with 512GB of storage. That would push the cheapest Neo closer to around RM3,300 by direct conversion, before any official regional pricing, SST, retailer margins, or Apple Malaysia adjustments.
For Malaysian students, creators, office users, and casual gamers who were eyeing the Neo as a relatively affordable Apple laptop, that small US$100 difference matters. Once it lands in local pricing, the gap could easily feel bigger than it looks on paper.
The RAM shortage is messing with everyone
The reason behind the possible change is the ongoing RAM shortage. Component prices are rising across the PC industry, and Apple is not immune even with its massive supply chain muscle.
The Verge notes that Apple has already made similar moves elsewhere in its lineup. Earlier this week, Apple reportedly stopped selling the cheapest Mac mini configuration, which effectively raised that machine’s starting price to US$799. Back in March, Apple also removed the 512GB RAM option from the Mac Studio, likely because of the same memory supply pressure.
So if the cheaper MacBook Neo disappears, it would not be a random move. It would fit a wider pattern: Apple trimming or removing lower-margin configurations while component costs climb.
Success might be the problem
The funny part is that the Neo’s popularity could be one reason Apple is in this situation.
The laptop arrived at the right time. Competitor laptops are getting hit by higher RAM costs, while the Neo’s US$599 pitch made it look like a strong value option. Demand seems healthy too, with Apple’s website currently showing a two-to-three-week shipping wait.
Culpan says Apple is now increasing Neo production to 10 million units, up from the original plan of around 5 to 6 million. That sounds like good news, but scaling production is not free.
The first wave of MacBook Neo units reportedly used A18 Pro chips left over from the iPhone 16 Pro. For the next batch, Apple will need to order more chips. Add higher memory costs into the mix, and the second production run could be more expensive for Apple to build.
And when Apple’s costs go up, bro, consumers usually feel it somewhere.
Why Malaysian buyers should care
In Malaysia and SEA, the MacBook Neo’s appeal is all about price positioning. A MacBook that starts under US$600 sounds like a potential sweet spot for students, freelancers, small teams, and anyone who wants macOS without paying MacBook Air money.
But if Apple removes the base model, the Neo becomes less of a “budget MacBook” and more of a slightly cheaper MacBook alternative. That changes the buying conversation, especially when Windows laptops, gaming handhelds, and tablets are all fighting for the same RM3,000-ish budget.
For gamers, this is not about AAA gaming performance. It is about whether the Neo stays attractive as a daily machine for Discord, streaming, light editing, cloud gaming, emulator tinkering, school work, and content creation. At RM2.8k-ish, it sounds spicy. At RM3.3k or more, buyers may start comparing harder.
Nothing is confirmed yet, so don’t panic-buy. But if the US$599 Neo is the version you were waiting for, this is worth watching closely. The cheapest Apple product is often the first one to vanish when supply gets tight.
Source: The Verge
