Apple's new MacBook Neo laptop, launching at $599 in the U.S., features 8GB LPDDR5X RAM due to design choices tied to its A18 Pro chip packaging. The chip, identical to the one in the iPhone 16 Pro, uses TSMC's InFO-PoP (Integrated Fan-Out Package on Package) technology, which stacks memory directly above the SoC die. This 3D wafer-level fan-out approach reduces PCB space by over 100 mm² but locks the MacBook Neo into the 8GB configuration shipped with the A18 Pro.

Critics argue 8GB is insufficient for 2026, but Apple prioritizes cost efficiency and macOS optimization for memory management. The InFO-PoP method, while space-saving, eliminates upgradeability, a trade-off Apple accepts to maintain affordability.