DepEd secures 172,654 MacBook Neo laptops for teachers with five-year warranty

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
November 03, 2026

The Department of Education (DepEd) has secured more than 172,000 Apple MacBook Neo laptops for public school teachers and administrative personnel, with each unit covered by a five-year warranty as part of the government’s push to modernize education.

The procurement covers 172,654 units following the completion of competitive bidding for the department’s latest computerization project.

Of the total, 169,008 laptops are allocated for teachers, while another 3,646 units are intended for administrative officers. Distribution is scheduled to begin in November 2026 and continue through March 2027.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the procurement aims to ease the financial burden on teachers who have long relied on personal devices or outdated equipment to prepare lessons and perform their duties.

Each MacBook Neo was purchased for approximately P43,000, around P6,900 below the model’s suggested retail price in the Philippines. The package also includes built-in productivity tools, delivery and logistics, and professional development support.

DepEd said the five-year warranty is the longest coverage included in its laptop procurement projects so far, compared with the usual one-year warranty offered for retail units.

The latest purchase brings the total number of teacher laptops awarded under the DepEd Computerization Program to 231,725 nationwide. This includes 169,008 MacBook Neo units and 62,717 Windows-based laptops.

Apple Chief Executive Officer John Ternus also highlighted the agreement during the company’s fourth-quarter 2026 financial results conference call, describing it as Apple’s biggest education deal ever for its Mac line.

To help teachers maximize the devices, DepEd is also partnering with Apple to develop GuroXL, a training framework designed to strengthen educators’ digital skills and provide pathways toward Apple Teacher certifications and technology leadership credentials.

The program will be implemented in coordination with the National Educators Academy of the Philippines.

DepEd said the rollout will include distribution activities and teacher orientation sessions across Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao as the agency continues efforts to expand technology access in public schools.