Starting next month, the entry-level MacBook Neo will no longer be available at its current price point.
The change removes the $599 configuration from Apple’s online store and retail outlets, effectively raising the base price by $100 to $699. At the same time, two new color choices—Deep Navy and Silver—will appear on the mid-tier 13-inch model, which already includes the M2 chip.
For small businesses that rely on tight budgets for new hardware, this shift could force a choice between paying more upfront or waiting for potential future discounts. The removal of the lowest-priced option also narrows the gap between entry-level and mid-range models, making it harder to justify an upgrade based solely on performance.
- The $599 base MacBook Neo is being discontinued without public announcement.
- Starting price rises to $699; no new low-end model is confirmed for 2024.
- Two new colors added to the mid-tier 13-inch M2 model: Deep Navy and Silver.
- RAM remains fixed at 8 GB in all configurations, with 256 GB storage as standard.
The implications stretch beyond pricing. Businesses that previously used the $599 model for basic tasks such as web browsing or document editing may now find themselves priced out of what was once the most affordable MacBook Neo. The M2 chip, which is already included in the mid-tier model, delivers a noticeable performance boost over older Intel-based models, but that benefit comes at a higher cost.
Day-to-day, users of the new base model will notice slightly faster wake times and improved battery life thanks to the M2 chip. However, the fixed 8 GB RAM—unchanged from previous generations—could become a bottleneck for multitasking-heavy workloads, such as running multiple browser tabs or light video editing.
What’s confirmed: Apple has not announced a replacement for the $599 model in 2024. The mid-tier 13-inch M2 model now starts at $699 with two new color options. RAM and storage remain fixed at 8 GB and 256 GB, respectively.
What’s unknown: Whether Apple will reintroduce a lower-priced model in future cycles or if the current base price will hold steady for the next generation. Small businesses should weigh whether the performance gains justify the higher upfront cost, especially if they rely on tight hardware budgets.
