With its accessible price, modern design and solid performance, the MacBook Neo quickly emerged as one of Apple’s most notable products after its launch. And while the first generation is still attracting attention, the first details about the MacBook Neo 2 have already begun to surface.

MacBook Neo 2 could get a major performance boost

The most significant upgrade expected for the MacBook Neo 2 is its processor. The current MacBook Neo uses the A18 Pro, the same chip previously featured in the iPhone 16 Pro.

According to Bloomberg, Apple is developing a new generation of MacBook Neo powered by the A19 Pro. The processor is considerably more powerful than the A18 Pro and could help Apple’s budget MacBook narrow the performance gap with its more premium Mac models.

In terms of CPU performance, the A19 Pro is said to be around 10-15% faster than the A18 Pro in both single-core and multi-core tests. More notably, GPU performance could improve by as much as 40%, according to some benchmark results.

One reason behind the A19 Pro’s performance gains is the integration of a Neural Accelerator into each GPU core. This not only increases graphics processing power but also gives the chip an advantage in AI-related tasks performed directly on the device.

The A19 Pro is currently used in premium iPhones including the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air. However, the MacBook Neo 2 may not use exactly the same version of the A19 Pro found in the iPhone.

According to Bloomberg journalist Tim Culpan, Apple is likely to use a lower-performance variant of the A19 Pro, commonly known as a “binned” chip, for the MacBook Neo. While the A19 Pro in the iPhone 17 Pro has a six-core GPU, the version expected for the MacBook Neo is predicted to feature a five-core GPU.

Even so, thanks to the better thermal management and continuous power supply available in a laptop, the chip could still deliver substantial performance gains for the MacBook Neo 2.

MacBook Neo 2 could get 12GB of RAM

RAM is another area Apple is likely to improve with the next-generation MacBook Neo.

The current MacBook Neo comes with just 8GB of RAM, while Apple’s other Mac models now start with 16GB. This is seen as one of the compromises Apple made to bring the MacBook Neo down to a more attractive price point.

However, the MacBook Neo 2 is expected to feature 12GB of RAM instead of the current model’s 8GB. The upgrade is believed to be directly related to the capabilities of the A19 Pro chip.

While 8GB of RAM may not necessarily become a serious limitation for most MacBook Neo users, moving to 12GB would still be a worthwhile improvement. More memory would allow the laptop to handle multiple tasks more effectively while also extending its useful lifespan as applications become increasingly resource-intensive.

AI could get a significant upgrade on MacBook Neo 2

The combination of the A19 Pro chip and 12GB of RAM could also unlock more powerful artificial intelligence features on the MacBook Neo 2.

Apple announced an AI model that runs directly on the device at WWDC, offering more accurate speech recognition and dictation while adding new options for users to customize Siri’s voice.

The current MacBook Neo does not support this AI model because it uses the A18 Pro with 8GB of RAM. If the MacBook Neo 2 does indeed move to the A19 Pro and 12GB of RAM, its on-device AI capabilities could become one of the most notable differences between the two generations.

This also suggests that Apple may be looking to make the MacBook Neo a more compelling option for users interested in AI features but unwilling to spend significantly more on a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro.

Apple could continue refreshing the color lineup

Beyond performance, Apple also appears keen to maintain the MacBook Neo’s youthful appeal through its color options.

The current MacBook Neo is available in several eye-catching finishes, including Citrus, Blush, Indigo and Silver. Bloomberg reports that Apple plans to “periodically” refresh the colors available for the lineup.

There is currently no specific information about which colors could appear on the MacBook Neo 2. However, regularly refreshing the palette could help the product maintain its appeal, particularly among younger customers and first-time MacBook buyers.

MacBook Neo 2 could arrive in 2027

Apple introduced the current MacBook Neo in March. According to Tim Culpan, meanwhile, the A19 Pro-powered MacBook Neo is being planned for release sometime in 2027.

If the information proves accurate, Apple could be adopting a relatively long upgrade cycle for its budget MacBook lineup rather than introducing a new generation after just one year.

Hai Phong