The successor model of MacBook Neo (tentative name: MacBook Neo 2) is expected to be released in 2027, equipped with A19 Pro and 12GB of unified memory.
Due to higher-than-expected demand for the current MacBook Neo, there was concern that there would be a shortage of the A18 Pro, which has a 5-core GPU specification. Future models may be able to avoid this issue.
Is MacBook Neo 2 equipped with A19 Pro?
The MacBook Neo 2 is expected to arrive in 2027 with the A19 Pro and 12GB of unified memory.
The A19 Pro has a 6-core GPU in the iPhone 17 Pro series, but it is expected that the MacBook Neo 2 will have a 5-core GPU specification with one core disabled. This specification is the same configuration as the 5-core GPU version A19 Pro installed in the current iPhone Air.
Lack of A18 Pro is an issue in the current model
The current MacBook Neo is equipped with an A18 Pro with 5-core GPU specifications and 8GB of unified memory.
It was reported that demand after the launch of the product exceeded Apple’s expectations, and that the original production plan of 5 million to 6 million units has been raised to approximately 10 million units by 2026.
As a result, it was pointed out that the A18 Pro with the 5-core GPU specification that Apple had secured for the MacBook Neo may be in short supply, and additional production may be required.
TSMC’s 3nm process “N3E” production line, which manufactures the A18 Pro, has a high operating rate, and some believed that additional production would result in relatively high costs.
Utilize chips effectively with binning
The 5-core GPU version of A19 Pro is also expected to have a “binning” specification in which one core of the 6-core GPU is disabled.
Even if some of the GPU cores in a manufactured chip do not meet the standards, you can use it for another product by disabling just that core.
Is there enough supply for A19 Pro?
If the MacBook Neo 2 uses the 5-core GPU version of the A19 Pro, it is expected that there will be more leeway in chip supply than the current model.
Since the same 5-core GPU version A19 Pro is also used in the iPhone Air, Apple is already mass producing chips with the same specifications.
Furthermore, if the iPhone Air switches to its successor model in the spring of 2027, it may be easier to allocate the A19 Pro to the MacBook Neo 2.
Since it is presumed that the number of iPhone Air manufactured will be small even before the release of iPhone Air 2, mass production will be stopped several months before sales end, and the production line may be converted to iPhone Air 2 equipped with A20 Pro.
In that case, the stock of the 5-core GPU version of A19 Pro will further accumulate. Apple is believed to have had a shortage of A18 Pros due to MacBook Neo sales exceeding expectations, leading to a loss of order opportunities due to longer delivery times.
For these reasons, we will take sufficient measures to ensure that the number of MacBook Neo 2 manufactured does not decrease due to the lack of A19 Pro.
Increase to 12GB memory
The unified memory capacity of MacBook Neo 2 is expected to increase from 8GB of the current model to 12GB.
Since the A19 Pro-equipped iPhone is combined with 12GB of memory, it is expected that the MacBook Neo 2 will have the same capacity.
12GB gives you more room for memory-intensive processes such as using multiple apps at the same time and Apple Intelligence.
Especially in applications where AI models are run locally, it will be easier to feel the effects of increasing capacity from 8GB to 12GB.
Beware of potential price increases
At this time, there is no specific information regarding the selling price of MacBook Neo 2. However, the price of the current MacBook Neo also increased from $599 to $699 after its release in the United States, so the price may not remain completely unchanged.
Furthermore, the DRAM shortage is also affecting the overall shipment schedule of Apple products, and memory prices and supply status will be factors that will affect the price of the 2027 model.
The focus of the next model will be whether it can maintain the price range typical of the MacBook Neo while achieving improved performance with the A19 Pro and 12GB memory.
Photo: Saurav (@Saurav_DJ47)/X
Source: iPhone Mania
