Apple CEO Tim Cook has, for the first time, officially confirmed that the MacBook Neo is facing supply constraints, following weeks of reports pointing to limited availability.
Speaking during Apple’s Q2 2026 earnings call, Cook acknowledged that demand for the new low-cost Mac has outpaced expectations.
“We are supply constrained,” Cook said. “We were very bullish on the product before announcing it, but we undercalled the level of enthusiasm that would be with it.”
While it has already been widely reported that MacBook Neo stock has been tight, with shipping estimates slipping and launch inventory selling out quickly, today’s comments mark the first official confirmation from Apple.
Cook said the MacBook Neo is helping Apple reach new customers, particularly those buying a Mac for the first time or upgrading from much older devices.
“It’s very much focused on getting the Mac to even more people than we were reaching before,” he said. “We’re very focused on customers new to the Mac and customers that have been holding onto their Mac a very long period of time. We’re doing well with both of those.”
He also highlighted growing momentum in education, with some schools reportedly switching from Chromebooks and Windows PCs to the MacBook Neo.
“We’re seeing school systems that are switching… and hearing anecdotally of those kinds of stories happening at the school system level and at the consumer level,” Cook said.
“We could not be happier with how things are going at the moment.”
The MacBook Neo, introduced in March, has quickly become a breakout product for Apple, with strong demand now confirmed as the reason behind ongoing supply shortages.