Apple's $599 MacBook Neo first look: The budget Mac we've been waiting for?
Source: ZDNet
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Apple just announced a new “cheap” MacBook for $599.
- It’s called the MacBook Neo, and it comes in multiple “playful” colors.
- It uses the A18 chip – the same processor found in the iPhone 16 Pro.
After months of rumors and speculation, Apple announced its latest entry‑level addition to the MacBook lineup: the MacBook Neo. Priced at $599 and equipped with an A18 processor (the same chip found in the iPhone 16 Pro), Apple is targeting budget PCs and Chromebooks in the low‑end market – an area where it has historically had virtually no share.
Entry‑level MacBook
The MacBook arrives at a particularly interesting time, amid soaring RAM prices, update fatigue, planned obsolescence, and AI dominating the industry.
Also: Apple’s March event live blog: Every new product and updates from the show
In contrast, it’s a 2.74‑lb, colorful laptop with a breezy price tag and a simplified outlook. You won’t be running local LLMs or editing 8K video on this machine; it’s designed for web browsing, email, and iPhone connectivity – everyday tasks for most users.
The A18 processor delivers solid performance for everyday tasks, multitasking, and media, though its raw power is limited compared with the new M5 chips found in the latest MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models. The Neo’s 13‑inch Liquid Retina display offers 500 nits of brightness and a 2408 × 1506 resolution, with a 1080p FaceTime HD webcam.
Hardware specs:
- 8 GB unified memory
- 256 GB or 512 GB of SSD storage
- Wi‑Fi 6E and Bluetooth 6 (no N1 chipset)
- Two USB‑C ports (not Thunderbolt‑enabled)
Also: The new MacBook Pro gives you M5 Pro and Max power now – for a bigger price
Did I mention the colors?
The new MacBook Neo is available in Indigo, Blush, Citrus, and Silver, a notable departure from the traditionally monotone Space Gray or Black MacBook lineup.
These color options signal that Apple may be willing to step outside the box with its MacBook range in the future.
Also: The new MacBook Air M5 costs $100 more – here’s what that gets you
The Neo is available for pre‑order today, with general retail availability beginning March 11.