Apple has just launched the MacBook Neo, its new $599/£599 entry-level laptop. However, attention is already turning to what the next version might bring.
According to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the chances of a touchscreen arriving on the MacBook Neo 2 may be slimmer than previously expected.
Earlier predictions suggested Apple could add touch support in the second-generation Neo to compete with Chromebooks. More than half of Chromebooks already include touchscreens. However, latest industry checks indicate that Neo 2 may stick with a traditional non-touch display, at least for now.
That wouldn’t be entirely surprising. The Neo’s main goal is to bring the MacBook experience down to a more affordable price point, starting at around $599. Keeping the design simple could help Apple maintain that cost. Additionally, adding a touch panel would likely increase manufacturing complexity – something Apple tends to avoid in its lower-cost devices.
If Apple does introduce a touchscreen MacBook, the first model may arrive further up the range. Kuo’s latest report supports earlier claims that a future MacBook Pro could debut OLED touch displays sometime in late 2026 or early 2027. As a result, that would position touch as a premium feature rather than something aimed at the budget Neo line.
Kuo also shared updated expectations for the first MacBook Neo, which launched with a 13-inch display and an Apple A18 Pro chip. He now expects Apple to ship around 4.5–5 million units in 2026. This is slightly lower than earlier forecasts due to the later-than-expected release window.
Moroever, production is currently handled by Quanta Computer. However, Foxconn could join assembly in the near future as demand ramps up.
Elsewhere on Apple’s laptop roadmap, OLED displays appear to be coming more slowly than some had hoped. A MacBook Air with an OLED screen may not arrive until around 2028 or 2029. This suggests Apple is taking a cautious approach to rolling the technology across its notebook lineup.
For now, that means the MacBook Neo’s biggest appeal will likely remain its price. And if the latest information is accurate, touchscreen MacBooks may still be a few generations away.
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