Apple Announces Low-Cost 'MacBook Neo' with A18 Pro Chip
Published: (March 4, 2026 at 09:18 AM EST)
2 min read
Source: Hacker News
Source: Hacker News
Apple today announced the MacBook Neo, an all‑new low‑cost Mac powered by the A18 Pro chip and priced at $599.
Overview
The MacBook Neo is the first Mac to use an iPhone‑class chip; the A18 Pro debuted in the 2024 iPhone 16 Pro models. Apple claims the chip delivers up to 50 % faster everyday performance than the best‑selling PC with the latest Intel Core Ultra 5, 3× faster on‑device AI workloads, and 2× faster photo‑editing tasks.
Design & Display
- 13‑inch Liquid Retina display – 2408 × 1506 resolution, 500 nits brightness, anti‑reflective coating.
- No notch; uniform iPad‑style bezels.
- Color options: Silver, Indigo, Blush, Citrus. The colored finishes extend to the Magic Keyboard in lighter shades and include matching wallpapers.
- Weight: 2.7 lb.
Ports & Connectivity
- Two USB‑C ports
- USB‑C 2: up to 480 Mb/s.
- USB‑C 3: up to 10 Gb/s.
- 3.5 mm headphone jack.
- Wi‑Fi 6E and Bluetooth 6.
Performance & Battery
- 8 GB unified memory.
- Storage options: 256 GB (base) or 512 GB (with Touch ID).
- 16‑hour battery life.
- 1080p front‑facing camera, dual microphones with directional beamforming, and dual side‑firing speakers with Spatial Audio.
Pricing & Configurations
| Configuration | Price |
|---|---|
| 256 GB storage + Magic Keyboard | $599 |
| 512 GB storage + Magic Keyboard with Touch ID | $699 |
| Education pricing (256 GB) | $499 |
Environmental Impact
Apple highlights the MacBook Neo as its lowest‑carbon Mac, using 60 % recycled materials—including 90 % recycled aluminum and 100 % recycled cobalt in the battery.
Availability
The MacBook Neo is available for pre‑order today, with shipments beginning Wednesday, March 11.
