Club Benefits
Apple reportedly didn't expect the new MacBook Neo to be super popular, but strong demand has the company running out of stock and parts. The cheap MacBook's success has caused the company to run out of A18 Pro chips that were "binned" or not rejected for not meeting the full specifications of the iPhone 16 Pro.
It's a good laptop that immediately took the top spot on our picks for the best budget laptops available.
Article continues belowHow long you'll wait
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Apple Store | Apple Online | Amazon | Best Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
256GB in Silver | 3 to 4 weeks | 2 to 3 weeks | 3 to 4 days | 1 week |
256GB in Blush | 3 to 4 weeks | 2 to 3 weeks | 2 to 4 weeks | 1 week |
256GB in Citrus | 3 to 4 weeks | 2 to 3 weeks | 1 to 2 weeks | 3 days |
256GB in Indigo | 3 to 4 weeks | 2 to 3 weeks | 3 to 5 weeks | 1 week |
512GB in Silver | 3 to 4 weeks | 2 to 3 weeks | 1 to 2 days | 1 week |
512GB in Blush | 3 to 4 weeks | 2 to 3 weeks | 1 to 2 days | 2 weeks |
512GB in Citrus | 3 to 4 weeks | 2 to 3 weeks | 1 to 2 days | 3 days |
512GB in Indigo | 3 to 4 weeks | 2 to 3 weeks | 1 to 2 days | 1 to 2 weeks |
Next moves
The cheap laptop has proved exceptionally popular to the point that Apple's stock of A18 Pro chips is running out. Now, Apple is trying to decide how to proceed.
One option is to have its partner, TSMC, restart A18 Pro production, but the company is already operating at full capacity for both Apple and other companies using its 3nm process.
Apple could drop the $599 base model, leaving only the $699 variant. The company could also speed up production of the MacBook Neo 2, which should feature the A19 Pro silicon.
All come with higher margins, but Apple could accept lower profits since the Neo is an entry point into the macOS ecosystem.
Not the only Mac delay
The MacBook Neo isn't the only Mac device Apple is struggling to keep in stock. Last week, 9to5Mac reported that the Mac Studio was facing a delivery delay of 4 to 5 months.
The Mac mini is backordered into mid-May. Again, Amazon seems to have more stock, with a 2- to 3-week delay for the 256GB version.
Unlike the Neo, which appears to be delayed thanks to popularity, the desktop Macs are likely suffering from the AI-created RAM crisis. Apple has already dropped some RAM and storage configurations due to an inability to source components.
RAM prices recently started dropping, offering a glimmer of hope, but in the immediate future, expect delays and stock shortages of Apple devices.
That all said, the new MacBook Air M5 seems to be plenty available, though it starts at nearly double the price of the cheapest 13-inch configuration.
Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Subscribe to Tom's Guide on YouTube and follow us on TikTok.
More from Tom's Guide
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
