Don’t wait to buy a MacBook Neo for school – here’s how

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a favorite source On Google.

ZDNET Highlights

• MacBook Neo has been making waves in the market since its launch in March.
• Apple has a limited number of A18 Pro chips used for the Neo.
• It’s currently backlogged on Apple’s site, and that backlog may get worse over the summer.

When I first tested the MacBook Neo in March, it was clear that Apple had an attractive product on its hands. Fast forward a month, and consumers seem to agree.

MacBook Neo is currently on backlog Apple’s official websiteOrders for the new devices won’t be shipping until mid-May. The same may apply for in-store pickup, which may take the same amount of time depending on your location: some Apple Stores are citing product arrival dates of May 11 or later.

Also: After using the MacBook Neo, it’s clear Windows needs to rethink its PC strategy (and fast)

Apple destroyed its initial launch supply, and is now facing limited availability of its A18 Pro chips, which are not currently in production. MacBook Neo is still available wal-mart And best BuyBut consumers are purchasing directly from Apple to take advantage of the $499 teacher discount, which is not available at third-party retailers.

Combine this with the fact that demand for the device is very high – especially from first-time Mac users. Former Apple CEO Tim Cook cited the Neo’s popularity in a recent tweet, saying it was the company’s best launch week ever.

That’s no surprise: The Neo’s value compared to similarly priced Windows PCs is a win, especially as RAM prices continue to rise.

Plan to go back to school now

Here’s the thing: If you’re looking at NEO for the 2026 school year, you might want to get ready now. With limited supply and very strong demand, there’s no guarantee you’ll get a replacement this fall.

Although we don’t know the exact numbers, we do know that the A18 Pro chips used in the MacBook Neo are not currently in production, so Apple is sitting on a limited supply. Columnist and former Bloomberg editor Tim Culpen reported in his report “Kulpiyam” Newsletter Apple is supplying Nios so fast that it may run out of chips before orders are filled.

Also: MacBook Neo review: My biggest concerns with Apple’s near-perfect budget laptop

This doesn’t mean Apple will stop selling the Neo; It could resume production of the A18 Pro chip, but that would be expensive and potentially impact profit margins – margins that are already competitive for such an affordable product.

Alternatively, Apple could release the next-generation Nios with a five-core A19 Pro chip, but there’s no guarantee the price will remain the same. While it’s unlikely Apple will raise the price of the Neo now, it potentially could in future models.

my advice

Get your Neo now. If you go for the education discount, plan for a delay in shipment, which will be easier now than at the beginning of the school year. Alternatively, opt for the higher-end Neo configuration with a 512GB SSD, which is (slightly) slower.