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MANILA, Philippines — The DepEd MacBook Neo procurement has drawn public attention after buyers reported encountering account restrictions on newly purchased Apple laptops. The complaints have raised questions about device registration and activation, particularly following the Department of Education’s purchase of more than 172,000 MacBook Neo units for public school teachers and personnel.

Some buyers shared complaints on social media after discovering that their laptops required Department of Education-linked Apple account credentials during the initial setup process.

One buyer, identified in a report by Bilyonaryo News Channel as nurse Russel Manzanares, said he purchased a MacBook Neo through an online store and received a unit that displayed a message indicating that it was owned by the Department of Education.

According to the report, the laptop arrived on October 26, 2026, and was intended as a gift. The buyer reportedly encountered the restriction when attempting to activate the device.

The incident prompted questions from consumers about why a laptop purchased through an online retail channel would display an organization-specific account restriction.

Angara says DepEd was not involved in reported online sales

Education Secretary Sonny Angara denied that DepEd had sold the laptops involved in the complaints.

In an interview with Bilyonaryo News Channel, Angara said the department had not yet started distributing its newly procured laptops to schools when the reported incident surfaced.

He advised affected buyers to coordinate directly with their respective sellers and suppliers.

The secretary also emphasized that DepEd was not a party to the reported private transactions.

The department’s official laptop distribution program subsequently began on November 9, 2026, with the initial turnover held at Dagupan City National High School in Pangasinan.

Why are DepEd laptops subject to account restrictions?

The reported restrictions have drawn attention to Apple’s device management technology.

Organizations can use Apple’s management systems to register and manage devices assigned to employees, schools, and other authorized users.

When a device is enrolled in an organization’s management system, administrators may impose restrictions during setup and manage certain device functions remotely.

In a separate report published on November 10, Angara confirmed that the laptops distributed to teachers remain government property and are enrolled in DepEd’s device management system.

He explained that the system allows the department to lock or disable devices if they are stolen, sold, or pawned.

However, the reported online buyer complaints should not automatically be treated as evidence that the affected units came from DepEd’s official distribution program. The circumstances surrounding the registration of those particular devices still require clarification from the parties involved.

DepEd procures 172,654 MacBook Neo units

The reported complaints came shortly after DepEd announced the successful completion of competitive bidding for 172,654 Apple MacBook Neo laptops.

According to the department, the procurement covers 169,008 units for teachers and another 3,646 units for administrative personnel.

The units were acquired at approximately ₱43,000 each, compared with the Philippine suggested retail price of ₱49,900 for the base model.

DepEd also said the package includes a five-year warranty, productivity tools, delivery and logistics, and professional development for recipients.

The department’s broader laptop procurement program also includes 62,717 Windows-based laptops for public school teachers.

Distribution and government accountability

The distribution of the newly procured laptops started on November 9, with suppliers expected to complete deliveries by March 2027.

DepEd has said that schools and teachers who have not previously received government-issued laptops will receive priority under its allocation guidelines.

Angara has also maintained that the procurement underwent competitive bidding and that the department secured favorable terms for the government.

The reported account-restriction complaints, meanwhile, highlight the importance of proper device registration, inventory management, and coordination between technology suppliers and online retail channels.

Consumers who encounter similar problems are advised to document the device’s displayed messages, retain their proof of purchase, and contact the seller or authorized support channels for assistance.

As of publication, the specific circumstances behind the reported buyer complaints have not been independently established. Further clarification from Apple, the relevant seller, and DepEd would help determine how the affected devices became associated with the department’s management system.

Sources:

• Bilyonaryo News Channel – Angara denies DepEd sold locked MacBook Neo units before teacher rollout
• Philstar – DepEd says open bidding saved ₱1.4 billion on teachers’ laptops
• Philstar – New MacBook laptops for teachers can’t be sold or pawned, says Angara
• DepEd – Official procurement announcement