Apple has silently increased the MacBook Neo student price again. It now rests at $649 on the Education Store, and the company didn’t even give its customers a heads-up.
How much does the MacBook Neo cost students now?
The MacBook Neo launched at a starting price of $499 in March, which rose to $599 in June, and it’s now at $649. The Neo was supposed to be a budget laptop with a mobile processor, but it’s now touching second-hand MacBook Air territory. The problem is, you get better hardware on the Air, with a better trackpad, speaker system and more.
The regular price is still $699, so the student discount has dropped from $100 to $50. The change is not exclusive to customers in the U.S., and other regions have also seen a matching increase in their own currencies.
Why Apple keeps increasing prices
Apple has blamed this year’s price increases on the memory chip shortage, which pushed up RAM and storage costs. This is not the first time, and Apple isn’t the only one. Other smartphone manufacturers have raised prices too, and even Steam Deck prices have been increased for the same reason.
This is the third round this year, after Macs and iPads in June and iPhones in September. We can expect prices to increase further, as AI infrastructure has contributed to the memory shortages. It’s a bidding war at the end of the day, and even if Apple secures the orders, the prices are adjusted based on it.
Since May, Apple has also checked student eligibility through UNiDAYS in the U.S. and Canada.
Is the MacBook Neo still worth it for students at this price?
The entire premise that the MacBook Neo was a must-have for students revolved around its $499 price tag. At $649, it’s much closer to a discounted MacBook Air. If you’re keen on getting the Neo, Apple’s refurbished store has the base Neo for $599, which is $50 less than the new student price.
It’s your call, and it depends on your budget too. If you have the pocket for it, we would recommend getting a MacBook Air powered by the M3 or M4 chip instead of the Neo.
Should you wait for the MacBook Neo 2?
The MacBook Neo 2 is expected in the first half of 2027 with 12GB of RAM and probably some other chip upgrades. However, what you shouldn’t expect is for it to return to its launch price. That will never happen, and it’s a tragedy.
However, for those of you who want to get the Neo, holding off would be a better deal, as the company would also add a faster chip, which will contribute to better battery life. You could get some pretty solid discounts in the holiday season, so do take that into account as well and wait a bit longer if you must.
