Apple raised the price of the MacBook Neo from $599 to $699, ending the laptop's run as an ultra-affordable entry point. This change comes as the company deals with global shortages and rising costs for storage and RAM. While iPhones and Apple Watches avoided these hikes, the Neo is now more expensive.

Demand for the laptop outpaced the supply of binned A18 Pro chips, which were originally repurposed from the iPhone 16 Pro. Because Apple exhausted its initial stock of these cheaper components, the company must now buy new chips at current market rates. These higher costs directly triggered the hundred-dollar increase for consumers.

Critics argue Apple has enough cash to absorb these costs to maintain the Neo as a halo product. Keeping the $599 price would have continued pulling new users into the ecosystem. By prioritizing margins over accessibility, Apple risks losing the specific psychological appeal that made this model a must-buy for many users.