Apple’s next MacBook Neo is already in the works, and it’s getting a meaningful upgrade

A hot minute after the first-ever MacBook Neo just hit the store shelves, Apple is already plotting its successor. According to Tim Culpan, a Taiwan-based tech columnist and former Bloomberg reporter, writing in his Culpium newsletter, a next-generation MacBook Neo is on track for a 2027 arrival, with two substantial upgrades. 

What’s actually changing, and what isn’t?

The current-generation MacBook Neo runs on the A18 Pro chip, the same chip that powers the iPhone 16 Pro, and it is roughly as powerful as the M1 chip on the 2020 MacBook Air. Its successor, however, could be equipped with a binned version of the A19 Pro chip (with five cores instead of a GPU).

For those catching up, A19 Pro is the same chip that powers the iPhone 17 Pro models. Although the difference in performance isn’t exactly stellar, it is in the lower double digits, which could make a difference while you’re multitasking, using apps in split view, or working on other demanding workflows. 

In addition to the new chipset, the purported MacBook Neo 2 could also feature 12GB of unified memory, up from 8GB on the current model. Again, an upgrade that will improve the device’s overall performance and longevity, starting at $599. 

Why is Apple already planning the next one?

The current MacBook Neo lineup is selling quite well. Culpan notes that Apple is already in talks with suppliers to speed up production, as the sales have surpassed the initial expectations. 

The company is yet to determine manufacturing capacity and supply chain constraints related to increased production, but overall, it seems to be moving toward a second-generation MacBook Neo that could arrive in 2027. 

One thing is clear: Apple sees the MacBook Neo as a lineup, not just a product. At $599, it caters to a market segment that the company had largely abandoned for years. A 2027 follow-up with a better chip and increased memory could bring in more sales than the current one.