MacBook Neo

All about MacBook Neo

The MacBook Neo is a totally new laptop in Apple's product line that fits into a new entry price. The entire purpose of this computer is to maintain an affordable entry point created by the discounted MacBook Air with M1.

It's a bit thicker than a MacBook Air and runs a processor originally built for iPhone. Nearly every spec is a reduction or compromise versus more premium models — which is the point.

Like with iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Pro, the MacBook Neo represents the bottom of the laptop lineup occupied by MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. Advances like Apple Silicon have allowed Apple to move down market to a place it hasn't inhabited before.

The $599 MacBook Neo offers more than enough functionality for those that have never owned a Mac, but want one. And unlike the identically priced $599 Mac mini, this computer comes with a Retina display, quality keyboard, and extra-large trackpad.

It doesn't replace a product in Apple's lineup, but expands the available targetable market. It has proven quite popular since its release.

MacBook Neo design

Apple built a brand new chassis for the MacBook Neo instead of reusing an old design. It's an unusual move for a budget-focused product, because Apple tends to reuse old designs to save money on production.

MacBook Neo is Apple's latest attempt at a budget-friendly laptop

The recycled aluminum unibody case will likely become much less expensive over time as production ramps up.

At half an inch thick, it’s 0.5 inches thicker than the MacBook Air and 0.11 inches thinner than the MacBook Pro. The bulbous edges and aluminum design around the display cover evoke previous MacBook Pro designs.

Externally, it has two USB-C ports, a headphone jack, and a speaker grill on each side. The keyboard is tinted to match the color of the aluminum and doesn't have a backlight. There is no MagSafe port.

The MacBook Neo is available in silver, indigo, citrus, and blush. It has thick bezels around the 13-inch Liquid Retina display and a 1080p camera.

The design is unmistakably MacBook, but it does look like a discernably different product versus the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. It bears a family resemblance versus being nearly identical the way the different iPads are.

MacBook Neo features

The feature set of Apple's budget MacBook is the bare minimum to ensure a laptop can function. However, it's still an Apple product, so it's not bottom-of-the-barrel specs either.

MacBook Neo brings premium features down market

One of the most expensive components in a laptop is the display, and Apple's have to meet Retina standards. This Liquid Retina display is sRGB instead of P3 and can reach 500 nits of brightness. There is no support for True Tone either.

Touch ID is only included in the 512GB option, so the base model brings users back to password entry only. However, Apple Watch owners will still have the option to authenticate some Mac actions with a double press of the Side Button.

There are two side-firing speakers, a trackpad that lacks haptics, and a keyboard that doesn't have a backlight. The two USB-C ports have differing specs — one is USB 3 and the other is USB 2.

The MacBook Neo can connect to a single external display and run it at 4K 60Hz. It's the same spec as the M1 MacBook Air.

Apple didn't splurge for the N1 chip here. Instead, it's Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 6.

Battery life is rated for 11 hours of web use or 16 hours of video streaming. A 20W charger is included in the box.

MacBook Neo processor

The M1 isn't being produced anymore, and the latest M-series chips are expensive and being used in other products, so Apple went with A18 Pro. It's the chip used in the iPhone 16 Pro.

MacBook Neo's processor originated in iPhone, but it can run macOS without a problem

The advancements in Apple Silicon have also led to Apple creating a more unified experience across each operating system. macOS Tahoe has more elements from iOS than ever, and it can even run iPhone or iPad apps.

So, the use of an iPhone chipset to power a MacBook isn't totally out of the question. Apple says the chip is up to 50% faster for everyday tasks versus the "bestselling PC with the latest shipping Intel Core Ultra 5."

Apple also promotes AI operations are up to 3x faster for on-device workloads. Photo editing is said to be 2x faster as well.

The A18 Pro has a 6-core CPU and a 5-core GPU. The MacBook Neo has 8GB of RAM and starts with 256GB of storage.

MacBook Neo vs M5 MacBook Air: A18 Pro isn't that far off M5 in single-core benchmarks.

The Geekbench single-core score is 3,428 and is 46% better than the 2,347 for the M1 in the MacBook Air.

MacBook Neo vs M5 MacBook Air: The chip gap widens for multi-core.

The Geekbench multi-core score is 8,531 versus the M1's 8,342. The difference is small enough that it's basically a rounding error.

MacBook Neo vs M5 MacBook Air: The difference in GPU performance will be massive.

Metal scores also show that the A18 Pro is no slouch, just beating out the M1 with 32,506 versus 30,636.

Apple accidentally backed itself into a corner by using binned chips leftover from the A18 Pro run. The MacBook Neo has been in such high demand that Apple ran out of reserve stock and had to order new chips, which cut into margins, though it didn't affect the price or market availability.

MacBook Neo review

It might be easy to look from MacBook Air to MacBook Neo and call the latter a compromised experience. It uses an iPhone processor, uses an older design, lesser display, and older trackpad technology.

However, it is better to view the MacBook Neo from the other direction. As the new entry MacBook, it offers a premium Apple experience at nearly half the price.

Apple wanted to bring the full Mac experience to more new-to-Mac users

Customers that want the more modern specs can always go up to the MacBook Air, but that's the point. Not everyone needs those specs, nor can they all afford them.

There's no mistaking the laptop for any other product than a MacBook. Its soft aluminum exterior with rounded edges and color tinted white keycaps all evoke Apple's design philosophy.

You're not going to mistake the MacBook Neo for a $599 Windows PC.

Touch ID is only included in the higher priced model with more storage

Touch ID is only included if you upgrade the internal storage, but Apple Watch users won't miss the biometric tool either way. Also, most everything operates and syncs from iCloud, so 256GB is still viable for the use cases covered by the budget laptop.

If you view the MacBook Neo from the point of view of a tech nerd, you're doing it wrong. This is baby's first laptop, and that's meant in the most positive light.

You'd spend the same amount of money on a base iPad and Apple's keyboard folio, but it runs iPadOS. Or you could buy a Mac mini at this price, but you'd need a keyboard, mouse, and a display too.

There's no beating the value of the MacBook Neo.

MacBook Neo release date and price

Apple revealed the MacBook Neo on March 4 and started pre-orders right away. It ships to customers on March 11 and starts at $599 with 256GB of storage.

Upgrading to 512GB and gaining Touch ID brings the price to $699. Apple did not introduce a cellular option in spite of the processor available.