Nearly three months after its debut, Apple’s MacBook Neo has become an early success story. According to IDC data shared with TechCrunch, the laptop shipped over 1.1 million units in the quarter ended March. This figure is particularly notable as the Neo was available for only about three weeks during the quarter after going on sale mid-March and shipments began spiking from early April.

The MacBook Neo, launched at a starting price of $599 – roughly 45% below the entry-level MacBook Air – has made Macs more accessible to a broader set of buyers. Despite its lower price point, it retains much of the look and feel of Apple’s premium notebooks, with an aluminum chassis and a 13-inch Liquid Retina display.

Its popularity is evident in several countries; India saw nearly 18,000 shipments despite the laptop being available for only a few weeks during the period. The MacBook Neo starts at ₹69,900 (about $733) in India compared with ₹119,900 (around $1,260) for the entry-level MacBook Air.

The Neo’s success could reshape Apple’s strategy in markets like India, where older MacBook models have historically been important volume drivers. Counterpoint Research sees its significance extending beyond early sales, as it helps Apple expand into lower-priced notebook segments and attract first-time Mac buyers. The laptop is predicted to help increase Apple's share of the $400-$699 notebook market from about 2% to around 15%.

This early success is prompting competitors like Dell to respond with their own offerings, unveiling a new XPS 13, starting at $699, aimed at the same segment as the MacBook Neo. IDC’s Navkendar Singh believes Apple is targeting the Neo at a much broader audience than previous Mac models, expanding its reach in consumer and small-business laptop segments.