Apple’s rumored second-generation MacBook Neo could introduce several hardware upgrades, including a faster processor, more memory and a touchscreen display, according to new reports from industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
The MacBook Neo is currently Apple’s most affordable laptop, starting at $599. The device features an aluminum unibody design, a display with up to 500 nits of brightness and a large multi-touch trackpad, offering premium design elements typically not found in laptops at that price point.
However, the current model uses the Apple A18 Pro processor, the same chip found in the iPhone 16 Pro. While efficient, the chip is generally considered less powerful than processors from Intel, AMD or Qualcomm commonly used in similarly priced laptops. The MacBook Neo also ships with 8GB of RAM, which limits performance for more demanding workloads.
According to Kuo, the next-generation MacBook Neo could address these limitations. The rumored MacBook Neo 2 may feature Apple’s A19 Pro chip, expected to debut in the iPhone 17 Pro lineup, alongside 12GB of RAM — a 50% increase compared with the current model.
Another potential change could be the introduction of a touchscreen display. Reports suggest Apple may integrate the touch layer directly into the IPS panel to avoid increasing the laptop’s thickness. By the time the device launches, Apple is also expected to introduce a touchscreen-optimized version of macOS.
Earlier reports indicate that Apple may debut its first touchscreen MacBook with the higher-end MacBook Ultra later this year, potentially paving the way for touchscreen support across future MacBook models.
The MacBook Neo 2 is not expected to launch for at least another year, and Apple has not officially confirmed the device or its specifications. As a result, the reported features remain subject to change.