Kuo: Apple’s second‑gen “MacBook Neo” tipped for 2027—and a touchscreen

The news

Apple’s second-generation MacBook Neo is slated for 2027 and may add a touchscreen, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (郭明錤), as reported by ITHome (IT之家). Kuo says Apple is weighing on-cell touch technology—integrating sensors into the display stack to keep devices thin—and that specifications remain in flux, though an upgrade to an A19 Pro-class chip is “highly likely.” Separately, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman noted Apple could extend the “Neo” branding to other budget hardware, such as an Apple Watch Neo.

First-gen Neo takes aim at low-cost PCs

The forecast lands the same week Apple introduced the first MacBook Neo, an entry model starting at $599 ($499 with education pricing) that targets low-cost Windows laptops and Chromebooks. The 13-inch machine departs from Apple’s recent Mac formula by using the A18 Pro chip originally designed for the iPhone 16 Pro, and features a Liquid Retina display with even bezels (no notch), dual USB‑C, 8GB RAM, a 1080p camera, dual mics, spatial‑audio speakers, a 3.5mm jack, and up to 16 hours of battery life. Kuo had previously predicted a late‑2025 production window and no touchscreen for this inaugural Neo—both now borne out.

A broader touch pivot for Macs

Kuo adds that Apple’s first touchscreen Mac is expected later this year: a redesigned, OLED MacBook Pro. macOS may reportedly add broader touch support in a future “macOS 27” cycle, paving the way for touch to spread across the lineup, including a second‑gen Neo. Apple has long resisted touch on Macs, framing iPad as its touch-first computer. A pivot would mark a strategic shift—why now? Competitive pressure and education-market expectations are mounting.

The competitive landscape—including China

In the budget PC arena, HP, Lenovo (联想), Acer (宏碁), and Asus (华硕) already ship touch-enabled laptops at scale, particularly for schools. That matters in China, where Lenovo dominates shipments and local buyers weigh price and durability first, and globally where Chromebooks have set touch as a default expectation in classrooms. Apple’s use of an iPhone-class A-series chip in the Neo underscores a cost-down approach to expand Mac reach while U.S.–China tech tensions and component controls continue to shape supply chains. Reportedly, if Apple’s touch strategy and “Neo” branding broaden as signaled, it could reset expectations for what an entry-level Mac includes—and at what price.