Apple faces supply chain problem as MacBook Neo demand exceeds expectations
9to5Mac • • technology
Key Points:
- The MacBook Neo has been highly successful, but Apple is facing a supply shortage of A18 Pro chips, which power the device, according to analyst Tim Culpan.
- Apple used leftover A18 Pro chips with slightly defective GPUs, originally meant for the iPhone 16 Pro, to reduce the Neo's cost, resulting in chips with five GPU cores instead of six.
- Apple initially planned to produce around 6 million MacBook Neos using these binned chips, but demand now exceeds this supply, prompting discussions with supply chain partners.
- Possible solutions include paying TSMC to ramp up A18 Pro chip production at a premium, potentially increasing the Neo's price and removing the $599 model, or accelerating the release of the second-generation MacBook Neo with A19 Pro chips.
- If these options are not feasible, Apple may have to limit MacBook Neo availability until next year, though this is the least preferred approach as it risks unmet demand.
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