Apple reports that users are purchasing Macs more quickly than ever, resulting in a supply shortage.
Apple
Apple is facing a favorable challenge: it is unable to meet the demand for Macs. During its fiscal Q2 2026 earnings call, CEO Tim Cook acknowledged that the demand for the Mac lineup has exceeded the company's supply — a surprising statement considering that just a few years ago, Mac growth was overshadowed by iPhone sales.
The reasons behind this phenomenon are intriguing. The Mac Mini and Mac Studio are selling exceptionally well, with Cook attributing much of this to an increasing recognition of the capabilities of Apple Silicon for running AI tools and local workflows. This is a trend that the company seemingly underestimated. When the CEO admits that they "undercalled the demand," it truly highlights the unexpected nature of the situation.
The impact of the MacBook Neo is significant
The MacBook Neo, Apple's newer and more affordable laptop, has far surpassed expectations. Schools are opting to replace Chromebooks with this model, and first-time Mac buyers are flocking to it. The March quarter set a new record for first-time Mac customers, which is a metric Apple has been pursuing for years in a segment that often felt like it was catering to a devoted audience.
Nadeem Sarwar / DigitalTrends
Mac revenue for the quarter reached $8.4 billion, marking a 6% increase compared to the previous year despite supply constraints — indicating that the actual figures, if unconstrained, would have likely been even higher. Cook warned that it may take several months for the Mac Mini and Mac Studio to achieve a balance between supply and demand. This is not just a temporary spike.
This isn’t merely a sales increase
What makes this moment noteworthy is the change in the demographics of Mac buyers. It's no longer only creative professionals or developers making purchases. Enterprise teams are increasingly deploying them on a large scale for AI development. Public school districts are choosing Macs over budget Windows options, and there is double-digit growth in emerging markets like India. The product's audience is expanding in a way that feels structural rather than just cyclical.
Apple
Apple has long claimed that its silicon advantage would eventually draw more users into the Mac ecosystem. It appears that this strategy is finally proving effective — sooner than even Apple anticipated.
Shimul is a contributor at Digital Trends, with over five years of experience in the tech industry.
I held off on the MacBook Neo. I hope the next version addresses these five minor issues before I spend my money.
Apple has hit the perfect price point, especially in a market where increasing component costs are challenging manufacturers. Yet, it's the features that are lacking that make me hesitant to buy the current version.
The MacBook Neo caught my attention, not just because it's an impressive piece of technology that satisfies my tech enthusiasm, but because of the overall offering from Apple — an aluminum chassis, efficient silicon, and excellent battery life — all at an astonishing price of $599. I was eager to try it and nearly made a purchase a few weeks ago.
However, I chose not to buy it, not because the Neo is a bad device. I had the chance to use it for a couple of days (thanks to my friend who splurged on it), and the more I discovered about what Apple omitted to achieve that remarkably low price, the more I felt inclined to wait for an improved version before buying.
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Your meeting notes are now smarter, more customizable, and far more actionable.
Google Meet's "Take notes for me" feature, introduced back in 2024, has been a valuable tool for anyone juggling the tasks of typing notes while actively participating in meetings. Since then, the company has rolled out several enhancements to its AI meeting note-taking service, including the capability to document in-person meetings, generate longer meeting notes, and more.
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Apple reports that users are purchasing Macs more quickly than ever, resulting in a supply shortage.
Apple is struggling to meet the unprecedented demand for Macs, as the MacBook Neo and AI-capable Mac Mini and Studio sold out more quickly than the company had anticipated.
