Apple has introduced the MacBook Neo, a new entry-level laptop designed to bring macOS to a much wider audience. Positioned below the MacBook Air, the device marks Apple’s first attempt in years to launch a truly affordable MacBook instead of relying on older models to fill the budget segment. The laptop debuted during Apple’s March product announcements alongside the new M5 MacBook Air and updated MacBook Pro models powered by the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips.
The MacBook Neo starts at around $599, making it the cheapest MacBook Apple currently sells through its official stores. The device features a 13-inch display, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage in the base configuration. Apple is also offering the laptop in colorful finishes such as blue, green, pink, and yellow, clearly positioning the product toward younger buyers, students, and first-time Mac users. The top-of-the-line 512GB variant with TouchID costs $699.
A budget MacBook powered by an iPhone chip
The most unusual aspect of the MacBook Neo is the processor powering it. Instead of Apple’s M-series chips used in modern Macs, the laptop runs on the A18 Pro processor, the same chip used in the iPhone 16 Pro lineup.
Using a smartphone-class processor allows Apple to reduce manufacturing costs while still delivering enough performance for basic tasks. Everyday activities such as web browsing, streaming, online classes, document editing, and light productivity apps should run smoothly on the device.
The MacBook Neo is designed for a computing environment where many workflows have shifted online. Cloud-based tools, streaming platforms, and browser apps now handle a large share of everyday workloads, reducing the need for extremely powerful laptop hardware.
Apple has therefore positioned the Neo as a simple, lightweight macOS device rather than a performance-oriented laptop.
Why Apple introduced the Neo
The launch of the MacBook Neo addresses a growing gap in Apple’s laptop lineup. Over the past few years, the company has steadily increased the baseline specifications of its MacBooks, raising both performance and prices.
The latest MacBook Air models now start at higher prices and include larger storage capacities, which improves value for power users but also pushes the entry price further away from casual buyers.
Previously, Apple relied on older hardware like the 2020 M1 MacBook Air to serve as the budget option through retailers. The Neo replaces that approach with a purpose-built entry-level MacBook designed for modern users.
The device could also help Apple compete more directly in the education market, where Chromebooks and inexpensive Windows laptops dominate due to their lower prices.
What this means for buyers
For buyers looking for the cheapest way to enter Apple’s ecosystem, the MacBook Neo offers a straightforward proposition. The laptop provides macOS, Apple’s build quality, and seamless integration with services like iCloud, AirDrop, and Continuity.
Students and casual users who mainly rely on web apps or cloud-based productivity tools may find the Neo sufficient for their needs. Its smaller size and colorful design also make it more approachable than Apple’s traditional MacBook lineup.
However, the laptop’s specifications clearly show that it is intended for basic workloads rather than professional use. Tasks such as video editing, heavy multitasking, or running demanding software will still require the more powerful MacBook Air or MacBook Pro.
Apple is expected to promote the MacBook Neo heavily through education programs and student discounts, which could make the device even more appealing in schools and universities. If the laptop gains traction, it could significantly expand the Mac user base by attracting buyers who previously considered Apple laptops too expensive.
The Neo may also represent a broader shift in Apple’s strategy, where the company introduces more differentiated tiers within its laptop lineup instead of relying on older models to serve the budget market.
But here’s why the MacBook Neo looks weak
While the MacBook Neo’s price is attractive, the device feels heavily compromised when compared with the new MacBook Air. Several of Apple’s design decisions make the laptop appear intentionally limited in order to protect the Air’s position in the lineup.
For starters, Touch ID is missing from the base model, which means buyers who want Apple’s biometric authentication feature must upgrade to the higher storage variant. That kind of upsell strategy is very typical of Apple, but it makes the entry model feel artificially restricted.
The charging setup is also questionable. Apple ships the Neo with a 20W power adapter, which seems underpowered for a laptop with a 10,000mAh battery. Charging speeds are likely to be noticeably slower than other laptops in this category. Also, there is no MagSafe.
Performance limitations are another concern. The Neo ships with 8GB of RAM and no upgrade options, which is disappointing in 2026 when even budget laptops increasingly offer more memory. The memory bandwidth is also roughly half of what the MacBook Air provides, which could impact multitasking and performance in heavier applications.
Connectivity is another weak point. The laptop reportedly uses a USB 2 port, which feels outdated on a modern MacBook, especially when the Air already supports faster connectivity options. Even the keyboard has compromises. The lack of a backlit keyboard means using the laptop in dim environments could be frustrating – an odd omission for a device clearly aimed at students who often work late at night.
When all of these limitations are considered together, the MacBook Neo begins to look less like a breakthrough budget laptop and more like a stripped-down Mac designed to push buyers toward the MacBook Air. For many people, spending a little more on the Air may still be the smarter long-term choice.