Apple's SVP of Hardware Engineering John Ternus spoke to ABC News following the MacBook Neo unveiling, addressing the company's new budget-friendly laptop and speculation about his potential as Apple's next CEO. Ternus emphasized that the MacBook Neo represents Apple's commitment to reaching more users with a durable, reliable Mac at an accessible price point.

When asked why it took so long for Apple to offer such an affordable Mac, Ternus explained that the company waited until it could meet its high standards. 'We didn't want to do it until we could do it really, really well,' he said, noting that Apple's bar for quality delayed the product's arrival. The MacBook Neo launch marks a significant shift in Apple's Mac lineup strategy.

On artificial intelligence, Ternus described Apple's approach as making technology that seamlessly integrates into users' lives. 'If we're doing it right, people won't even really necessarily notice or think about it,' he said, explaining that Apple Intelligence should simply make features better and easier to use. When directly asked about CEO speculation, Ternus deflected gracefully, saying he 'loves the job I have' and gets to work with 'the most amazing people in the world.'