Apple accidentally LEAKS the name of its new budget MacBook

Apple appears to have accidentally leaked the name of its new budget MacBook, ahead of its grand reveal today. 

The low–cost device is expected to be the final gadget in a flurry of launches this week, following the iPhone 17e, new iPad Air, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. 

Eagle–eyed fans have spotted a regulatory document on Apple's website, listing a 'MacBook Neo' under the 2026 release section. 

There are no further details or images of the device, and the listing has since been removed. 

However, the name tease has sent social media into a frenzy. 

'Apple's regulatory pages always leak the best stuff,' one user tweeted. 

Another added: 'If the new lower priced MacBook is called MacBook Neo, I don’t hate it, but always associated products using the Neo name as bad or lacking creativity.'

And one joked: 'macbook neo sounds like it should come with a trench coat and a kung fu plugin.' 

Throughout the week, Apple has been drip–feeding fans new products. 

On Monday, there was a new iPad Air and the iPhone 17e, while yesterday saw the release of a new Studio Display, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.

Today, the tech giant is hosting a 'Special Experience' for media in London, New York, and Shanghai, where it's expected to unveil its final product. 

Beyond the 'MacBook Neo' mention in the regulatory document, experts think the experience logo hints that we may see a new budget MacBook. 

The 3D Apple logo on the invite is made up of yellow, green, and blue discs. 

Bloomberg's Apple analyst, Mark Gurman, tweeted: 'Worth pointing out the three colors from the invite are light green, blue and yellow –– which just so happen to be the colors Apple has tested the low–cost MacBook with.'

In his newsletter, Mr Gurman suggests that Apple will launch a new low–cost MacBook today in a 'slew of fun colours'. 

According to the leaker, this MacBook will be 'well under $1,000', with a small display that measures just under 13–inches.  

Despite the lower price point, the MacBook will be made from aluminium, not plastic, he adds.   

'Like all Macs, this machine — code–named J700 — will feature an aluminum chassis,' Mr Gurman explained.

'To stick with this premium material, Apple developed a new manufacturing process that allows the shells to be forged more quickly.

'The technique is designed to be both faster and more cost–effective than the one used with Apple's current laptops.'

As mentioned in his tweet, Mr Gurman predicts Apple will opt for bright colours, to suit its target audience of students. 

'Over the past year, Apple has tested options such as light yellow, light green, blue, pink, classic silver and dark gray — though it's unlikely all of these will ship,' he said.  

Mr Gurman isn't the only person to suggest the Apple event logo alludes to new MacBooks. 

X user @BasicAppleGuy went so far as to create renders of what these colourful MacBooks might look like. 

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'If they make that green I'm going to have to cop it immediately,' one user replied. 

Another added: 'If that's real, that yellow is instant buy.' 

And one joked: 'The only problem will be deciding which color to get.'

The Special Experience will take place at 14:00 GMT today, and the Daily Mail's Science & Technology Editor, Shivali Best will be there – so make sure you check back in for all the latest announcements then! 

THE TRILLION DOLLAR RISE OF APPLE

1976: Founders Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne created the company on April 1, 1976, as they set about selling computer kits to hobbyists, each of which was built by Wozniak.

The first product was the Apple I. 

1977: Apple released the Apple II in June, which was the first PC made for the mass market. 

1981: Jobs became chairman.  

1984: The Macintosh was introduced during an ad break for the Super Bowl and later officially unveiled during a launch event. It was discontinued a year later and Jobs left the firm.

1987: Apple released the Macintosh II, the first colour Mac.

1997: Apple announces it will acquire NeXT software in a $400 million deal that involves Jobs returning to Apple as interim CEO. He officially took the role in 2000.  

2001: Apple introduced iTunes, OS X and the first-generation iPod.

The first iPod MP3 music player was released on October 23, 2001, at an event in Cupertino and was able to hold up to 1,000 songs.

2007: Apple unveils the iPhone. 

2010: The first iPad was unveiled.

2011: Jobs resigned in 2011 due to illness, handing the CEO title to Tim Cook. Jobs died in October from pancreatic cancer.

2014: Apple unveiled the Apple Watch. It also unveiled its first larger iPhones - the 6 and 6 Plus. 

2015: After purchasing Beats from Dr Dre, Apple launched Apple Music to compete with Spotify and other music streaming services. 

2016: Apple returned to its roots and announced the 4-inch iPhone SE. Meanwhile, the firm is embroiled in a legal battle with the FBI, involving the agency demanding access to the locked phone used by Syed Farook, who died in a shootout after carrying out a deadly December attack in San Bernardino, California, with his wife. The court order was dropped on March 28 after the FBI said a third party was able to unlock the device.  

2017: Apple introduces the iPhone X, which removes the home button to make way for a futuristic edge-to-edge screen design and a new FaceID system that uses advanced sensors and lasers to unlock phones with just the owner's face.    

2018: In a first for the company, Apple introduces new features in its latest operating system, iOS 12, that encourage users to manage and spend less time on their devices. The move was spawned by a strongly worded letter from shareholders that urged the firm to address the growing problem of smartphone addiction among kids and teenagers. 

2019: In January, Apple reports its first decline in revenues and profits in a decade. CEO Tim Cook partly blamed steep declines in revenue from China.

2020: In March, Apple closes all its brick-and-mortar retail stores outside of China in response to coronavirus. 

2021: In an online virtual event in April, CEO Tim Cook declares Apple's goal of becoming carbon neutral for Earth Day. Later in the year, the iPhone 13 was announced. 

2022: In September, the iPhone 14 was announced. One of the new features included a new sensor to detect if a user had been in a car crash, as well as an improved camera system. 

2023: Apple brings back its 'Home Pod' after the first generation was discontinued. The 'Home Pod' can be seen as an alternative to Amazon's Alexa or Google Home, as it is powered by voice commands. 

2024: Apple makes its first steps into artificial intelligence with the release of Apple Intelligence. The features are not all released at once, with many delayed until the following year.