Updated

Updated · MacRumors · Jul 28

Apple Raises MacBook Air Price $200 as Memory Shortage Threatens Further Increases

Updated

Updated · MacRumors · Jul 28

Apple Raises MacBook Air Price $200 as Memory Shortage Threatens Further Increases

Q: With severe hardware compromises, is the new budget-friendly MacBook Neo a smart purchase or a long-term trap for students?

For most students, the MacBook Neo is a sensible buy only at the lowest price — especially the $599 education price or a sub-$600 sale. At $699 new, it starts to look more like a short-term bargain with long-term limits. The Neo’s strengths are clear: it runs full macOS, has strong battery life, and is good enough for writing, web research, video calls, streaming and basic schoolwork. Reviews suggest its everyday performance is solid for “normal” users, and that matters for students who simply need a dependable laptop now. The risk is in the compromises. The base model has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, limited ports, no Thunderbolt, weaker speakers, an sRGB-only display, no keyboard backlight, and no Touch ID. Those are not just missing luxuries; for a student keeping a laptop four or five years, they can become constraints as coursework, apps and AI features grow more demanding. The 8GB memory ceiling is the biggest concern for longevity. That is why the upgraded Neo is hard to recommend. At $799, or even $699 with education pricing, several reports say refurbished or discounted MacBook Air models offer much better value, with more RAM, better displays, stronger speakers, better I/O and more headroom for future software support. The smart play for students is simple: buy the Neo only if budget is tight and the workload is basic. If you can stretch to a discounted or refurbished MacBook Air, that is the safer long-term purchase.

3 articles · Updated · MacRumors · Jul 28

$1,299 is now the starting price for Apple’s M5 MacBook Air after a late-June $200 increase tied to the global memory chip shortage.
$1,199 is already available through Amazon discounts, and Apple’s refurbished store is offering up to 15% off, softening the hike for buyers who move now.
Early 2027 is the soonest expected refresh for the 13-inch and 15-inch Air, with reports pointing to a modest M6 chip update rather than a redesign.
2028 or 2029 is the rumored window for an OLED MacBook Air, leaving current pricing pressure and limited near-term upgrades as the main factors for shoppers.