The $599 MacBook Neo is Apple's cheapest Mac laptop yet

Source: Engadget

Overview

Apple’s long‑rumored low‑cost Mac, the MacBook Neo, arrives with a starting price of $599. It is powered by the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro series, making it Apple’s first attempt at a genuinely affordable Mac laptop. The Neo is priced well below the $1,099 MacBook Air, yet Apple has retained an aluminum chassis and a Retina display.

Pricing & Configurations

• Base model – $599

  • 256 GB storage
  • No Touch ID
  • 8 GB RAM

• Upgrade – +$100

  • 512 GB storage
  • Adds Touch ID

All configurations ship with 8 GB of RAM.

Processor

The A18 Pro chip includes:

• 6‑core CPU
• 5‑core GPU
• 16‑core Neural Engine

While these numbers lag behind current M‑series processors, the chip should be sufficient for basic computing tasks.

Design & Build

• Sturdy aluminum case (no plastic)
• 13‑inch Retina LCD (2,408 × 1,506)
• 1080p webcam
• Two USB‑C ports (one used for charging; no MagSafe)
• 3.5 mm headphone jack
• Optional Touch ID
• Side‑firing speakers with Dolby Atmos support
• Color options: Silver, Indigo, Blush, Citrus (keyboard color‑matched to the case)

Display

• 13‑inch LCD, 500 nits brightness
• No True Tone adjustment
• Lacks P3 wide‑color gamut support

This is the first Apple display in years without True Tone.

Performance

Despite the A18 Pro being less powerful than the Air’s M4, the Neo handles most productivity tasks without trouble. It may appeal to Windows users looking for a low‑cost Mac alternative.

Market Context

Apple previously sold the older M1 MacBook Air at Walmart for $700 in 2024, later dropping to $650. The Neo fills the $500‑$1,000 gap where many PC options exist. However, AI‑driven RAM shortages could pressure future pricing, as RAM now accounts for a third of PC costs for manufacturers like HP.

Availability

• Pre‑order: Open today
• Shipping date: March 11