Apple's $599 MacBook Neo hands-on: This budget laptop makes me worried for Windows

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 unveiled 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 targets budget PCs and Chromebooks in the low‑end market — an area where it historically has had virtually no share.

Entry‑level MacBook

The MacBook arrives at an interesting moment, amid soaring RAM prices, update fatigue, planned obsolescence, and AI dominating the industry — for better or for worse.

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 meant 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 to the new M5 chips in the 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.

Also: The new MacBook Pro gives you M5 Pro and Max power now — for a bigger price

Hardware specs:

• 8 GB unified memory
• 256 GB or 512 GB SSD storage
• Wi‑Fi 6E and Bluetooth 6 (no N1 chipset)
• Two USB‑C ports (not Thunderbolt‑enabled)

Did I mention the colors?

The new MacBook comes in Indigo, Blush, Citrus, and Silver, a notable departure from the traditionally monotone Space Gray or Black options that have dominated the lineup for years.

The 13‑inch Neo lets Apple enter the budget consumer laptop market and compete directly with cheap PCs and Chromebooks, an area where it previously had little influence.

As the entry‑level device, Apple’s recently announced MacBook Air M5 and MacBook Pro and Pro Max M5 saw price increases of $100–$400, pushing those models further into premium territory to make room for the affordable Neo.

Sure, the iMac M4 introduced a handful of fun colorways, but laptops have remained steadfastly monotone for too long. These new colors signal that Apple may consider stepping outside the box with its MacBook lineup in the future.

Also: The new MacBook Air M5 costs $100 more — here’s what that gets you

The MacBook Neo is available for pre‑order today, with general retail availability beginning March 11.