The MacBook Neo cuts too frequently, and too deep

By Moinak Pal Published March 4, 2026

Apple has introduced the MacBook Neo, a new entry-level laptop designed to make macOS more accessible to a wider audience. Starting at $599, the device is the cheapest MacBook the company has released in years and is aimed at students, first-time Mac users, and buyers considering Chromebooks or lower-end Windows laptops.

The laptop marks a notable shift in Apple’s strategy. Instead of relying on older models like the 2020 M1 MacBook Air to serve as a budget option, Apple has launched a dedicated lower-cost MacBook designed specifically for price-sensitive markets. The Neo features a 13-inch display, 8GB of RAM, and storage options starting at 256GB, along with a Magic Keyboard, a 1080p webcam, and two USB-C ports.

However, the laptop also introduces a number of compromises that make its value proposition more complicated than its price suggests.

The biggest change with the MacBook Neo is the processor. Instead of Apple’s M-series silicon used in modern Macs, the device runs on the A18 Pro chip, the same processor that powered the iPhone 16 Pro.

Apple’s reasoning appears straightforward: using an iPhone-class processor allows the company to reduce costs while still delivering enough performance for everyday computing tasks. Activities like browsing, streaming, online classes, and light productivity workloads should run smoothly on the Neo.

The laptop also comes in several colorful finishes including silver, indigo, blush, and citrus, a design decision that clearly targets younger buyers and students.

In theory, the Neo is meant to bring more people into the Mac ecosystem by offering a modern MacBook at a much lower price than the MacBook Air.

Apple’s laptop lineup has steadily moved upmarket over the past few years. The latest MacBook Air models now start at higher prices due to increased memory and storage configurations. While this improves performance and longevity, it also pushes the entry point for MacBooks further away from budget buyers.

The Neo fills that gap. By launching a MacBook at $599, Apple can compete more directly with Chromebooks and low-cost Windows laptops, especially in the education market where price is often the biggest factor.

The strategy could also expand Apple’s user base. Students or first-time buyers who start with a Neo may eventually upgrade to higher-end MacBooks in the future.

Despite its attractive price, the MacBook Neo makes several design choices that feel overly restrictive. Some of these limitations appear to exist primarily to protect the MacBook Air’s position in Apple’s lineup.

For example, the base 256GB model does not include Touch ID, which means buyers must upgrade to the 512GB version to get fingerprint authentication. The laptop also ships with a 20W charger, which is unusually slow for a laptop battery and could lead to noticeably longer charging times.

Memory is another concern. The Neo includes 8GB of RAM with no upgrade options, which may limit performance as software becomes more demanding over time. Reports also suggest the device lacks faster connectivity features such as Thunderbolt and instead includes simpler USB-C ports.

These compromises may make the Neo feel less future-proof compared with Apple’s other laptops.

Apple has opened preorders for the MacBook Neo, with shipments expected to begin March 11.

The company is likely to market the laptop heavily to students and budget buyers, particularly through education discounts and campus programs.

Whether the Neo becomes a major success will depend on how consumers weigh its price against its limitations. If the device attracts enough new users to the Mac ecosystem, it could become one of Apple’s most widely sold laptops.

At the same time, many buyers may still find that spending a little more on the MacBook Air delivers a far more capable device. The Neo may be affordable, but the number of compromises it makes suggests that Apple carefully designed it