Apple has reversed course on touch screen support for the MacBook Neo 2, with Mark Gurman now completely ruling out the feature for the budget laptop. Bloomberg's reliable source indicated Apple remains undecided about bringing touch screens to Macs beyond the upcoming high-end MacBook Pro expected in late 2026.

The touch screen uncertainty comes as Apple balances consumer demand against production costs. With the MacBook Neo priced as low as $499, adding a touch screen would increase manufacturing expenses, making it unlikely for the affordable model in the next three years according to Gurman.

Despite the touch screen reversal, the second-generation MacBook Neo is still expected to launch next year with significant upgrades. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the device will feature an A19 Pro chip with increased 12GB of RAM, up from the current A18 Pro with 8GB. This suggests Apple will focus on internal improvements rather than interface changes for its most affordable laptop.