Apple’s New $599 MacBook and the Future of Touchscreens

Apple has finally released its first $599 laptop, the MacBook Neo. Supply‑chain expert Ming‑Chi Kuo had already predicted that the device would feature a 13‑inch screen and run on Apple’s A18 Pro chip. He also guessed the colors would be silver, blue, pink and yellow – a guess that turned out to be right with the actual hues of silver, indigo, blush and citrus. Kuo originally expected 5‑7 million units sold in 2026, but the launch happened a bit later than planned. He now estimates that 4. 5‑5 million will be sold, with about half of those in the first six months. The company that builds the Neo is Quanta, although Foxconn may start helping out soon. A competitor, Luxshare, could also try to win the assembly contract later on. One of the more surprising points is that the Neo will not have a touchscreen.Kuo had thought the second version might add touch support to compete with Chromebooks, but he now believes that Apple will keep the Neo as a simple laptop. Instead, the first touchscreen MacBook is expected to be an ultra‑premium model that will come later. Kuo also confirms rumors that a major MacBook Pro upgrade is on the way, featuring OLED panels and possibly touch. He thinks this new Pro will arrive around late 2026 or early 2027, though dates can shift. The Neo is meant to bring the MacBook experience to a lower price point, so Apple may choose not to add touch features that would raise costs. The future of touchscreens on Macs remains uncertain, but the next wave of upgrades could bring high‑end OLED displays and new touch technology to the lineup.