Gurman: MacBook Neo may miss out on touchscreen while MacBook Pro gets the upgrade

Apple unveiled the budget MacBook Neo in March 2026. However, according to Gurman, the Cupertino-based company may skip the new laptop when it decides to upgrade the MacBook line with touch support.

In his popular newsletter, Power On, Gurman acknowledged the MacBook Neo's value proposition. He noted the device’s build quality, performance, and power, stating that it beats other laptops in its price range. Gurman also said the MacBook Neo is “far better than a similarly priced iPad.” However, Gurman added that the MacBook Neo makes little sense if you already own a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, given the differences in performance, displays, and other features.

Gurman claimed that Apple has yet to decide whether it will upgrade any Macs to a touchscreen. The exception is the MacBook Pro, which he said could gain a touchscreen toward the end of 2026. Even the MacBook Air, which he considers a better candidate for a touchscreen, would not receive the upgrade for another two years.

Gurman explained that Apple arrived at the $599 price point ($499 for education buyers) after a serious rethink of the MacBook Neo’s components. Adding a touch display will only increase the bill of materials.

We reported earlier that another Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo backtracked on his claim that the next MacBook Neo would be touch-enabled.