Apple May Have Quietly Solved the One Thing That Kept Many People From Buying the $699 MacBook Neo in the First Place

Apple is planning a second-generation MacBook Neo with 50 percent more RAM than the current model, according to a new report from Bloomberg.

The next version will carry an A19 Pro chip paired with 12GB of RAM, compared to the 8GB that shipped with the MacBook Neo released in March.

That RAM increase matters more than the chip upgrade for most buyers. At 8GB, the current MacBook Neo handles everyday tasks well.

But users running multiple browser tabs, streaming video in the background, or working with light photo editing can push the system closer to its limits.

Twelve gigabytes gives those workflows more breathing room without requiring any behavior change from the user.

New Colors Also Coming

We might also get a fresh coat of paint. Apple currently offers the MacBook Neo in Silver, Blush, Citrus, and Indigo, but the report suggests new colors are on the way.

Though Apple hasn’t officially confirmed the second-gen colors, we usually see a few fresh finishes swapped in whenever the Mac lineup gets spec bumps.

Also: Buying a Mac this year just got more complicated after Apple’s long-term plans revealed 11 new models in the pipeline

Pricing Context for Buyers Watching Now

Apple raised the MacBook Neo’s starting price from $599 to $699 last month, making the timing of this report relevant for anyone holding off on a purchase.

The second-generation model does not have a confirmed release window, though the current MacBook Neo launched in March, and a similar window early next year seems plausible based on that pattern.

Shoppers who need a MacBook now can still find the current model at $599 through Apple’s education store, provided they qualify as a verified college student or meet other eligibility requirements. Certified refurbished units also carry the $599 price tag directly from Apple.

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Even at $699, the MacBook Neo sits well below the MacBook Air, which now starts at $1,299. For buyers who want macOS without spending four figures, the Neo remains the only option in Apple’s current lineup.

The updated model with 12GB of RAM would close part of the performance gap between the Neo and more expensive MacBooks, particularly for users who have hesitated over memory capacity.

Apple reports its next quarterly earnings on July 30, which may shed light on how the $100 price increase affected early Neo sales figures. The MacBook Neo is part of a broader Mac refresh Bloomberg described as an 11-model overhaul Apple is working toward.