Mac News, Apple Retail News, and PaleyFest Panels - MOSK: 04.13.2026

This episode of Mac OS Ken dives into major developments in Apple's product and retail landscape as of April 13, 2026. The show opens with a deep dive into the unexpected success of the MacBook Neo, a budget-friendly laptop that's selling out rapidly due to strong demand. Financial analyst Wamsi Mohan praises the model for potentially capturing a $32 billion addressable market, with Apple using binned A18 Pro chips—originally intended for the iPhone 16 Pro—for the device. However, this has created supply challenges, with Apple possibly running out of these recycled chips and facing higher costs to ramp up production. The episode also covers worsening supply constraints for Mac Studio and Mac Mini, with speculation about an imminent M5 refresh, though shortages may also stem from broader industry-wide RAM and storage issues. Global PC shipments rose slightly in Q1 2026, driven by anticipation of component price hikes and Windows 10 migration, but shipping logistics remain strained due to Middle East conflict disruptions and rising freight costs. The second half of the episode shifts to Apple’s retail operations, reporting on temporary closures of Apple Victoria Gardens (CA) and Apple Chermside (AU), and permanent closures of stores in Trumbull (CT), Escondido (CA), and Towson (MD)—the latter sparking union concerns over potential anti-union retaliation. Meanwhile, Apple’s Passeig de Grazia store in Barcelona is set to reopen on May 26 after renovations. Host Ken Ray shares personal highlights from his week, including a visit to the Magic Castle before a fire and attending two panels at PaleyFest, where he had the rare experience of being in the same room as Harrison Ford and Michael J. Fox during a surprise appearance at the Shrinking panel. The episode closes with a heartfelt return to the show and a reminder of its sponsor, CleanMyMac, and Patreon support.