Apple Ships 1.1 Million MacBook Neos in Q1, Beating 900,000 M5 Airs
Updated
Updated · 9to5Mac · Jun 2
Apple Ships 1.1 Million MacBook Neos in Q1, Beating 900,000 M5 Airs
3 articles · Updated · 9to5Mac · Jun 2
IDC said Apple shipped 1.1 million MacBook Neo units in the quarter ended March, versus more than 900,000 M5 MacBook Airs and 550,000 M5 MacBook Pros after all three launched March 11.
Those figures cover only the first few weeks on sale, making Neo the bestselling new Apple laptop at launch but not necessarily the overall top Mac once older MacBook Air models are included.
IDC expects a very big Neo shipment spike in the April-June quarter as Apple eases supply constraints and expands availability.
If that ramp materializes, MacBook Neo could overtake the broader MacBook Air line to become Apple's bestselling Mac in the current quarter.
Is the MacBook Neo an 'iPhone moment' for the Mac, or a risky gamble that could permanently devalue Apple's premium brand?
Apple has declared war on budget laptops. Can Dell's new XPS 13 truly fight back, or is the PC market already lost?
Apple’s MacBook Neo Sells 1.1 Million Units at Launch, Shakes Up Affordable Laptop Segment
Overview
Apple's launch of the MacBook Neo in March 2026 marked a major strategic shift, as the company aggressively entered the budget laptop market to reach a broader range of consumers. By introducing the Neo at a much lower price than the new M5 MacBook Air, Apple recognized the strong demand for affordable MacBooks and aimed to expand its presence beyond traditional premium buyers. This move targeted new customer segments, including students and small businesses, and leveraged the appeal of a lower-cost entry into the macOS ecosystem, resulting in immediate and strong market interest.