Apple Inc. is facing a shortage of binned A18 Pro chips for the MacBook Neo as the device sells faster than anticipated [1], [2].
The supply bottleneck threatens the availability of Apple's most affordable laptop, potentially limiting the company's ability to capture the entry-level market during a period of high demand.
Reports published in April 2026 indicate that the low price point of the MacBook Neo has driven consumer interest beyond Apple's initial projections [3], [4]. The device, which starts at $599 [5], relies on binned A18 Pro chips [1]. Because these specific chips are now exhausted, Apple is struggling to maintain production levels for the model.
Industry analysts said the chip shortage could last between six and 12 months [1]. This timeline creates a significant gap in the product cycle, one that may force Apple to alter its hardware strategy to keep the laptop on shelves.
To resolve the crisis, Apple may be forced to make difficult product decisions. One possibility is the removal of the 256 GB model from the lineup to prioritize higher-margin configurations [1]. Alternatively, the company could pivot to using unbinned chips to maintain volume, though this could impact the efficiency or cost structure of the device [1].
The shortage is a global issue affecting Apple's entire supply chain [1], [2]. While the company has not officially commented on the duration of the deficit, the current trajectory suggests that inventory levels will remain strained well into the next year [1].
“The MacBook Neo is selling far faster than expected.”
This supply crisis highlights the risk of Apple's strategy to penetrate the budget market with high-performance silicon. By pricing the MacBook Neo aggressively at $599, Apple created a demand spike that its specialized 'binned' chip inventory could not sustain. The potential shift to unbinned chips or the removal of the base storage model suggests a tension between maintaining a low entry price and managing the physical limits of semiconductor yields.
