Apple's $599 MacBook Neo Unlikely to Get Touch Screen Anytime Soon [Gurman]

Apple's new $599 MacBook Neo is an excellent entry-level machine, but power users picking one up may be wasting their money. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the aggressive cost-cutting required to hit that price point also means the laptop is unlikely to get a touch screen anytime soon.



In his latest newsletter, Gurman shared his impressions after testing the MacBook Neo, calling it a terrific device with premium build quality and solid performance for the price. However, he expressed confusion over existing MacBook Pro and MacBook Air owners getting caught up in the hype and purchasing the budget machine.


He compared the current buying frenzy to the iPhone mini, noting that the most vocal enthusiasts are rarely the actual target market. For anyone already accustomed to Apple's higher-end laptops, the Neo represents a massive step down in performance, display quality, and keyboard feel. Buyers are likely either throwing away $600 on a novelty they don't need or planning to return the computer before the two-week window closes. If you are on the fence about which model fits your workflow, our MacBook Neo vs MacBook Air comparison breaks down exactly what you give up for the lower price.

To reach the $599 retail price, Apple had to completely rethink the laptop's components. This included utilizing a new aluminum extrusion process and swapping an M-series processor for an iPhone-class A18 Pro chip. Because margins at this level are incredibly tight, Gurman says a second-generation Neo is unlikely to gain a touch screen.

Adding touch capabilities introduces significant hardware costs that simply do not fit the budget profile of Apple's lowest-tier Mac. Furthermore, Apple has not even transitioned its popular MacBook Air to OLED displays yet, a move that is still at least two years away. Touch input will instead debut on the premium OLED MacBook Pro, which is currently targeted for release in late 2026. For now, the Neo will remain a traditional, cost-optimized laptop aimed squarely at students and first-time buyers.

You can track current pricing and deals across Apple's entire laptop lineup using the iClarified Mac Price Tracker.