Apple May Drop Base $599 MacBook Neo as Chip, DRAM Costs Climb

6 hours ago

Apple may drop the cheapest MacBook Neo configuration due to rising component costs, potentially increasing the starting price by $100.
Recent similar actions include discontinuing low storage options for Mac Studio and Mac mini, driven by high demand and memory chip shortages.
Pricing pressure on the Neo is linked to Apple's efforts to boost production to 10 million units, doubling original forecasts, amid A18 Pro chip supply constraints from TSMC.
Costs are further complicated as initial Neo batches used lower-bin chips, while new production would involve fully functional chips at higher per-unit costs.
Alternatively, Apple might introduce new color options for the Neo to offset potential price hikes if the lowest configuration is retained.

Hasty Briefsbeta