TrendForce’s latest projections estimate that global notebook shipments will decline 9.2% year-over-year (YoY) in 2026, though Apple’s new MacBook Neo should shake things up.
The research group notes that amid simultaneous shortages and price increases in memory and CPUs—factors prompting most notebook brands to streamline product lines and adopt cautious inventory strategies—Apple has taken the opposite approach by introducing an entry-level notebook, the MacBook Neo, at a starting price of US$599.
The new model targets the $500–800 mainstream segment, which is commonly associated with education and general productivity notebooks. This highlights Apple’s clear ambition to broaden its product lineup and expand its ecosystem reach, according to TrendForce.
The research group predicts that the MacBook Neo .
TrendForce will help Apple’s laptop shipments grow 7.7% YoY in 2026, pushing macOS market share to 13.2%. This will be fueled by the company’s downward extension of price tiers, proactive pricing strategy, and strong supply chain control when compared to peers. Shipments of the MacBook Neo alone could reach 4–5 million units, depending on consumer acceptance of its 8 GB memory configuration, according to TrendForce.
From the report: If the MacBook Neo successfully penetrates the entry-level segment, it could not only offset the broader industry downturn but also reshape the pricing structure and competitive landscape of the global notebook market.
TrendForce notes that Apple’s ability to launch a lower-priced device despite rising component costs largely stems from its strong supply chain control. First, its in-house Apple Silicon processors reduce reliance on external CPU suppliers, giving Apple greater flexibility in capacity allocation and cost negotiations. Second, Apple’s highly standardized product specifications, streamlined development pipeline, and concentrated memory configurations enable larger purchasing volumes and stronger long-term contract bargaining power.
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