Apple is rumored to be preparing a second-generation MacBook Neo, targeting next year (2027). The source points to Tim Culpan, the whistleblower: The new generation of MacBook Neo may use “a certain version” of the A19 Pro of the iPhone 17 Pro series. The biggest change is not that the processor name has changed, but that the memory has finally been increased from 8GB to 12GB!
2027 A19 Pro + 12GB, GPU may still be 5 cores
Let’s first compare the difference between the current configuration and the rumored configuration:
- 2026：A18 Pro、6 CPU（2+4）、5 GPU、16 NPU、8GB RAM、256/512GB SSD
- 2027：A19 Pro、6 CPU（2+4）、5 GPU、16 NPU、12GB RAM、SSD
It is worth noting that the A19 Pro may use a “binned” version, which means cutting the chip that may originally have a 6-core GPU into a 5-core GPU to align with the graphics configuration of the existing MacBook Neo. Don’t expect it to suddenly become a small steel cannon; it is more like “complementing” the core experience to a more reasonable level.
The price is too fierce, making it difficult for competitors to resist
The reason why MacBook Neo is considered one of the surprises of 2026 is mainly because of the price: US$599 (approximately TWD 19,144.38 / HKD 4,693.47 / MYR 2,415.16). To achieve “the latest generation chip + good enough battery life + enough to support daily work” at this price is not an easy problem for many PC camps.
It will be difficult for Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm to come up with competitive rivals at the same price. Next, we will see whether new platforms such as Snapdragon X2 Plus or Intel Wildcat Lake can provide competitive products of the same level.
The real point is actually 12GB
It’s okay to consider the A19 Pro as a plus, but if this rumor is true, 12GB of memory is a more practical change. In the daily use situation of 8GB in 2027, the problem of “always feeling stuck somewhere, and then wondering whether I have opened too many paging” has appeared. If Apple is really willing to increase the RAM to 12GB on the entry-level Neo, at least it will be smoother to use on a daily basis.
Of course, everything is still a rumor. Whether it can be implemented, whether the SSD configuration will be adjusted accordingly, and whether the price will remain the same have not yet been determined. But if you are waiting for a “cheap but not too expensive” laptop, go for it next year!