An analyst has refuted his own previous rumors about the second-gen MacBook Neo gaining a touchscreen. This is obvious, given how inexpensive the first model is to produce.

The MacBook Neo is a model that brings Apple in direct competition with low-cost notebooks such as Chromebooks. However, despite Apple's interest in lowering the cost of manufacturing the model as far as possible, there's a little confusion over the next model along.

TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo commented in late 2025 that the next iteration could bring touchscreen support. This was apparently going to be included by integrating the touch layer directly into the IPS panel, the same way that the entry-level iPad does now, and has for years.

A X post on Wednesday from Kuo paints a different picture. It's not likely that touch will make it to the follow-on.

Kuo says that the second-generation MacBook Neo was originally expected to have a touch panel to compete with Chromebooks. At least half of Chromebooks on the market have touchscreen support, Kuo writes.

As a general rule, though, those touch screens are garbage.

Kuo did say back in September that the MacBook Neo wouldn't have a touchscreen in its first generation. At the time, Kuo believed that the second-generation model's specifications were still under discussion and "could include touch support."

While he said in September 2025 that the second-gen model was slated for a 2027 release, he does not offer an update schedule six months later.

Touch was always improbable

Talking about a touchscreen for the MacBook Neo seems foolhardy, considering the circumstances of the model's existence. Apple worked hard to reduce the bill of materials, even using an A-series chip instead of an M-series version to cut costs.

This way of designing the MacBook Neo made a touchscreen practically a no-go from the start. Apple always had the capability to do so, but not on such a price-sensitive item.

There's also the problem of introducing a premium-to-Mac feature on the cheapest model in the range.

Apple will be bringing out an OLED-equipped MacBook Pro late in 2026, complete with touchscreen capabilities.

Favorable shipments

The rest of the tweet's MacBook Neo discussion is about the current version, including claims it entered mass production later than expected, in December. It's not clear why this is unexpected, given Apple's historical timing between mass production and shipments.

Due to this apparent change compared to the rumors, shipments are expected to be lower than previous estimates. But, at about 4.5 million to 5 million units for 2026, that is still a "strong number" to Kuo.

Shipments should increase quarter-by-quarter due to a mix of Back-to-School and year-end holiday demand, as well as the industry-affecting memory squeeze. Competitors are anticipated to run low of their current memory stockpiles by the middle of the year, resulting in price rises across the board.

This should make for a better sales environment for the Neo for the back to school buying period, which begins in about three months.