Apple’s wallet-friendly MacBook is said to be getting a sequel in the next few months. The MacBook Neo 2 release date is reportedly set for the first half of 2027, and is expected as early as spring.
That would put the successor a year after the original arrived in March. It’s drawing attention because the sophomore version will almost certainly address one of Neo’s biggest compromises: 8GB of RAM.
MacBook Neo 2 release date expected in 1H 2027
The MacBook Neo is Apple’s entry-level laptop introduced as a more affordable alternative to the MacBook Air. Starting at $699, the 13-inch laptop offers a lightweight design and a battery designed to last through a full day. Apple kept costs down by using an iPhone-class processor: an A18 Pro chip originally developed for the iPhone 16 Pro.
Bloomberg said on Tuesday Apple is still planning to release a second-generation MacBook Neo sometime in the first half of next year. That window runs all the way from January to June. Although that report didn’t get more specific, the most likely launch time is considered to be March 2027.
A welcome jump in RAM
Although the original MacBook Neo quickly proved to be very popular, it did draw criticism for its 8GB of RAM. The second-generation version is widely expected to increase that by 50% based on how Apple sources the processor.
The original uses A18 chips leftover from producing the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. These were made with 8GB of RAM. The follow-up notebook will need to use A19 chips, and these were all made with 12GB of RAM.
While the MacBook Neo meets the needs of entry-level users with 8GB of RAM, no one will object to a memory bump. The MacBook Air starts at 16GB, which is double what the Neo offers.
Memory costs have already pushed up the Neo’s price
Apple originally launched the MacBook Neo with a price tag of $599. It then raised that to $699 in June amid a memory chip shortage. The 512GB model with Touch ID went from $699 to $799.
No pricing details for the Neo 2 have surfaced so far, but don’t anticipate it being $599.
The Neo gets some credit for Apple’s market-share gain
New data from Counterpoint Research shows Apple’s share of worldwide PC shipments increased from 8.7% to 9.8% in the third quarter of 2026. This happened despite overall PC shipments falling 21% to just 57 million units. That means Apple gained share even as Mac shipments fell.
The report identified the Neo as a key contributor to Apple’s performance. “The MacBook Neo helped cushion the decline, allowing Apple to outperform the overall market,” said Counterpoint’s report.
If Bloomberg’s timing holds, Apple has until June to deliver MacBook Neo 2 and bring in a new rush of orders. Still, treat the launch window as a target, not a promise.
Anurag Chawake is a tech-focused writer specializing in smartphones, apps and consumer technology. His interest in computers began during the Windows 98 era, eventually leading him to explore everything from operating systems to mobile devices and PC hardware. Anurag previously contributed to The Indian Express, covering Apple, Android, gaming and the broader technology landscape.
