Apple may be preparing to launch a cheaper MacBook as early as this week, and according to a random mention on Apple’s own support website, it could be called the MacBook Neo. The name briefly appeared in a support document URL, which has now been removed.
The MacBook Neo could be Apple’s new entry-level laptop
The discovery was first discovered in a Support page for a short time before Apple pulled it. The page included the term “MacBook Neo” in a short support URL, and it even appeared in search previews as a standalone product with the model number A3404. So either Apple inserted an internal placeholder or accidentally confirmed the name of the upcoming product before the official announcement.
Why it could be the rumored low-cost model
The company has just unveiled the M5 series MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, and this could be the new model positioned just below the two. Companies often use the “Neo” branding to denote a cheaper entry in a series, so this name seems a perfect fit for the budget MacBook. Early reports suggested a price of $599, but newer information suggests a higher starting price of around $749.
To achieve these lower costs, Apple is expected to equip the new MacBook with an A-series chip (A18 Pro or A19 Pro) that powers its iPhone series. This wouldn’t be the first time Apple has explored accessible Mac hardware, as the original MacBook range (discontinued in 2019) took a similar position.
