Apple's new MacBook Neo has reportedly been a strong success since its launch earlier this year, and the company is already working on its next-generation affordable laptop.

According to reports, the upcoming MacBook Neo 2 could bring several important upgrades, including a faster A19 Pro chip, more RAM, expanded AI capabilities, and new color options.

MacBook Neo 2 Could Get the A19 Pro Chip

The current MacBook Neo is powered by Apple's A18 Pro chip, the same processor used in the iPhone 16 Pro.

Bloomberg reports that Apple is developing a next-generation MacBook Neo powered by the A19 Pro chip. The newer chip is expected to deliver around 10–15% faster CPU performance compared with the A18 Pro, while GPU performance could improve by as much as 40%.

One reason for the larger GPU improvement is that the A19 Pro integrates Neural Accelerators into each GPU core, potentially improving both graphics performance and on-device AI workloads.

The A19 Pro is also used in Apple's latest high-end devices, including the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air.

A Binned A19 Pro Chip Could Be Used

According to reporter Tim Culpan, Apple may use a binned version of the A19 Pro in the MacBook Neo 2.

The A19 Pro used in the iPhone 17 Pro reportedly features a six-core GPU, while the MacBook Neo 2 could use a version with a five-core GPU. This would allow Apple to maintain a lower-cost configuration while still offering a significant performance upgrade over the current model.

MacBook Neo 2 May Get 12GB of RAM

The current MacBook Neo starts with just 8GB of RAM, while Apple's other Mac models generally start at 16GB.

The MacBook Neo 2 is not expected to make the jump directly to 16GB. Instead, Apple could increase the base memory to 12GB.

The additional memory would provide more headroom for multitasking and demanding applications, while also helping the laptop support Apple's newer on-device AI features.

New Apple Intelligence Features Could Arrive

The combination of the A19 Pro chip and 12GB of RAM could also unlock support for Apple's more powerful on-device AI model.

The new model is designed to improve features such as dictation accuracy and provide additional options for customizing the Siri voice.

The current MacBook Neo reportedly cannot support these capabilities because of its A18 Pro processor and 8GB memory configuration.

MacBook Neo 2 Could Introduce New Colors

Apple has positioned the MacBook Neo as a more colorful and affordable alternative within its Mac lineup.

The current model is available in several colors, including Citrus, Blush, Indigo, and Silver.

Bloomberg reports that Apple plans to periodically introduce new colors for the MacBook Neo. However, there are currently no details about which new finishes could arrive with the next-generation model.

MacBook Neo 2 Release Date

Apple launched the current MacBook Neo in March, and the next-generation model is still some time away.

Tim Culpan reports that the MacBook Neo 2 with the A19 Pro chip is expected to launch sometime in 2027. Apple has not yet announced an official release date or confirmed any of the rumored specifications.

If the reports are accurate, the next-generation MacBook Neo could offer a meaningful upgrade while maintaining its position as Apple's most affordable Mac laptop.

Source: 9to5mac