Apple only just revealed the MacBook Neo on Wednesday (March 4), but at least one version of the new budget MacBook has already sold so many pre-orders that it won’t be available when the laptops hit store shelves on March 11.
The selling point of the MacBook Neo is the $599 price point, meant to rival cheap Windows and Chromebook laptops. However, as of Friday (March 6), on the US Apple Store, the 512GB option, which costs $100 more and features a keyboard with a Touch ID sensor, in most colorways shows a delayed shipping option to the end of the month. (Check out our MacBook Neo preorders guide for where you can still buy one).
The base model with 256GB of built-in storage is available in every hue and should arrive on the 11th. The 512GB silver variant is still showing availability for next week.
The official Apple Store isn’t the only place you can purchase the MacBook Neo.
Where to find a MacBook Neo
Amazon has pre-orders up and appears to have every colorway and storage option available. However, if you order through Amazon you won’t receive the laptop until March 16.
Best Buy also has MacBook Neo pre-orders and, as of this writing, appears to have every color and storage option available. You can either pick it up in store on March 11 or shipping should arrive by March 12.
Other options
We have a full review in the works, but this week Tom’s Guide global editor Mark Spoonauer got some hands-on time with the Neo and came away seriously impressed. It even compares favorably to the previous budget-friendly MacBook, the M1 MacBook Air, even if the Air is still slightly more powerful.
If you’re still not convinced, perhaps consider the 128GB Apple iPad 11, which also costs $599 (with a keyboard). It’s a bit weaker in terms of performance and specs, but the tablet does give you a more versatile option, especially with the detachable keyboard.
Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds.
