Apple has launched the MacBook Neo, its cheapest laptop ever at $599 (€551). The new 13 inch notebook uses an A18 Pro processor, the same chip that debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro in 2024, marking the first time Apple has powered a Mac with a smartphone chip. With PC prices expected to rise due to increasing memory and storage costs, the timing positions Apple to compete directly with budget and mid-range Windows laptops.
The MacBook Neo weighs 1.23 kg (2.7 pounds) and measures 12.7 mm (0.5 inches) thick, matching the portability of the larger MacBook Air. Its 13 inch Liquid Retina display delivers 219 pixels per inch at 2408 x 1506 resolution with 500 nits brightness, though it lacks True Tone technology. The A18 Pro chip includes 2 Performance cores and 4 Efficiency cores, achieving single-core performance that exceeds the M2 chip in some benchmarks while falling behind in multi-core workloads. Apple rates the 36.5 Wh battery for up to 16 hours of video streaming or 11 hours of web browsing.
Apple made several compromises to hit the $599 price point. The laptop ships with 8GB of RAM with no upgrade option available. It includes one 10 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port with DisplayPort support and one 480 Mbps USB 2.0 Type-C port, both supporting charging but only the faster port supporting external displays up to 4K at 60 Hz. The base model includes a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 6, and a standard clicking trackpad rather than Force Touch. By comparison, the MacBook Air features Thunderbolt 4 ports, a 12MP Center Stage camera, WiFi 7, dual display support, and a larger 53.8 Wh battery.
The MacBook Neo comes in Silver, Indigo, Blush, and Citrus colors. A $699 (€643) model doubles storage to 512GB and adds Touch ID to the Magic Keyboard. Educational pricing starts at $499 (€459). Pre-orders begin today with availability starting 2026-03-11. More details are available in Apple's press release.
