Apple’s next MacBook Neo might let you tap the screen

Apple has yet to add touchscreens to its Mac lineup, keeping the input method strictly exclusive to the iPhones and iPads. But this restriction might soften with the second-generation MacBook Neo. A fresh report suggests that the upcoming MacBook Neo 2 could feature a touchscreen display. If this is true, it would mark a notable shift for Apple’s Mac series.

The brand has argued that macOS works best with a trackpad or mouse. So the move would also bring the Mac closer to the experience offered by Windows laptops, which have embraced touchscreen for years.

Big upgrade to the budget MacBook

Apple recently released the MacBook Neo as its most affordable laptop with a starting price tag of $599. It features a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, an A18 Pro chip, 8GB of RAM, and up to 16 hours of battery life, positioning it as an entry-level Mac designed for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and document work. Now, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, has stated that the upcoming MacBook Neo 2 might offer a touchscreen display.

The next-gen model could also expand on the budget formula with more powerful hardware. Reports have hinted that the MacBook Neo 2 may adopt Apple’s A19 Pro chip (which powers the iPhone 17 Pro), along with increased memory options and a higher starting RAM of 12GB. But what’s more notable is the integration of the touch layer directly into the display panel to avoid making the laptop thicker.

Touchscreen Mac could be a game-changer

Adding touchscreen functionality to the MacBook Neo 2 could be a strategic move for Apple’s budget laptop lineup. The Neo is designed to compete with Chromebooks and affordable Windows laptops, where touchscreen support isn’t uncommon. So introducing the feature could make Apple’s entry-level Mac more appealing to students and casual users. At the same time, it would allow Apple to test whether touchscreen Macs make sense without dramatically reshaping the rest of the Mac family.