MacBook Neo 2 Update: Apple Scraps Plans for Controversial Touch Screen Upgrade

Apple has scrapped plans to add a touch screen to its budget MacBook Neo 2, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman revealed on Sunday, ending hopes for a touchscreen upgrade on the entry-level laptop expected next year. Gurman, in his Power On newsletter, reported that while Apple is considering the feature for a high-end MacBook Pro scheduled for late 2026 or early 2027, the Neo remains off-limits. The change leaves the $599 device touch-free for the foreseeable future.

The original MacBook Neo launched recently after production delays in late 2025, featuring an A18 Pro chip and 8GB of RAM in a bid to undercut Chromebooks and low-cost Windows rivals. Gurman's revelation follows a rollercoaster of analyst speculation. In September 2025, Ming-Chi Kuo suggested the successor 'could' include a touch screen to remain competitive, noting that over half of Chromebooks already have the feature. Last week, however, Kuo tempered his view to 'may,' signalling second thoughts.

MacBook Neo 2 Touch Screen Dream Fades Fast

Gurman did not mince words. 'I'd be shocked if a touch screen comes to the Neo in the next three years,' he wrote. Cost is central to the decision. Adding a touch layer increases manufacturing expenses enough to threaten the Neo's slim margins, a non-starter when Apple markets it as the Mac for students and first-time buyers relying on education discounts. Cupertino's accountants are likely weighing the risk of pricing out the very audience they are targeting.

Apple's reluctance to add touch to Macs is not new. For 15 years, the company has avoided it on laptops, arguing that trackpads and mice suffice for 'proper' computing, while iPads handle scribbles and swipes. Rivals such as Lenovo and HP include touch in sub-$600 devices without issue, highlighting Apple's outlier position. Gurman's reporting suggests the high-end MacBook Pro might adopt touch first, possibly with haptic or stylus support, but it is unlikely to trickle down to the Neo. Rumours of an OLED MacBook Pro this year also remain in premium territory, not the Neo range.

Sceptics may question the change in narrative. Kuo accurately predicted the first Neo's specs and timeline last year, giving him credibility, while Gurman maintains a strong track record on Apple's internal plans. Nevertheless, these are leaks rather than official announcements. Apple remains silent, offering no comment on roadmaps or potential regrets, and plans can shift rapidly in this sector.

Neo Powers on Without Touch and Gains Chip Boost

A silver lining emerges as the MacBook Neo 2 moves forward, with Kuo predicting a 2027 release featuring upgraded internals. The A19 Pro chip and 12GB of RAM replace the current 8GB setup, offering smoother multitasking for web users and light editors. There is no information yet on changes to screen size or battery, but the colourful aluminium chassis is expected to remain, preserving a playful aesthetic alongside Apple's sleeker flagships.

The Neo's trajectory highlights Apple's careful balancing act. The first-generation model has already captured market share in a declining PC sector, with Kuo projecting 2.5 million MacBook shipments this year, a 20-25% increase while Windows sales fall over 10%. Touch or not, the Neo undercuts rivals struggling with RAM shortages that inflate prices, offering students and young users a capable device without compromise.

Yet it frustrates. Why tease a touch screen only to withdraw it? Apple's walled garden thrives on uniformity, but catering to budget devices requires compromises. A touch-free Neo feels like a half-revolution, offering a powerful processor in a poke-proof shell. Gurman suggests broader Mac touch experiments may be under way, possibly testing the waters before a full rollout. For now, the Neo 2 remains the affordable Mac that stays affordable, its ambitions curtailed.

The wider impact could favour Chromebook makers, while iPad sales continue to support the hybrid segment. Apple watchers scrutinise these developments for insight into Tim Cook's strategy: to dominate the low-end market without diluting the brand. The MacBook Pro's potential adoption of touch could signal a shift, but Neo users must wait or look elsewhere.