MacBook Neo: Still hard to get at Apple
Apple itself can only deliver its cheap notebook after weeks. Anyone who urgently wants the Neo should try it in retail.
MacBook Neo in various colors on a table: Weeks of waiting time.
(Image: Sebastian Trepesch / heise medien)
One thing is certain: The MacBook Neo is a hit. Apple's cheapest notebook ever is said to have sold at least six million units, if not more, according to analysts. Demand is so high that the devices have long been available only with a waiting time. A look at Apple's offerings shows: Nothing has changed in May either. However, you might get lucky in individual retail stores and in general retail.
All models no earlier than May 22
The model selection for the Neo is very simple, which is untypical for Apple: There are four colors (Silver, Pink, Citrus, and Indigo) with only two device variants each: one with a 256 GB SSD (699 Euros) and one with a 512 GB SSD (799 Euros; devices with educational discount are cheaper), which also features the useful Touch ID fingerprint recognition. That means Apple has to stock a total of eight models; some colors are considered more popular than others.
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In the Apple Online Store, the situation is currently as follows: All eight Neos, if ordered today, will not be available before May 22, at the latest June 1 – Apple only informs you of this upon shipping. Not a single variant is available immediately, regardless of color or configuration. However, it can be helpful not to order the notebook to your home but to pick it up in one of the Apple retail stores. Because there you might get lucky and access the stock immediately. To achieve this, you select the delivery postal code in advance to see this displayed above.
Retail is even cheaper
It can also be helpful to take a look at the heise price comparison. There you can quickly find out if a retailer might have stock. You can also save some money if applicable. The price starts at 589 or 689 euros, respectively. However, it should be noted that the rates develop quite dynamically.
Initially, the Neos were even slightly cheaper in retail, but due to high demand, prices rose again. Currently, they have dropped again, but this only helps if the respective retailer has devices in stock. Currently, some major providers like Amazon, Galaxus, or Coolblue look good – it's unclear how long this will last.
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