Apple has unveiled the new MacBook Neo, the most affordable MacBook in the company’s history. The new model was introduced during an Apple event in March 2026, with the aim of making the Mac ecosystem accessible to a wider range of users, particularly students and people looking for a simple laptop for everyday use.
The MacBook Neo is now available in US starting at approximately $599, while the version with more storage costs around $699. This is a significantly lower price than that of MacBook Air models – such as the recently unveiled MacBook Air M5 – or MacBook Pro laptops, which until now were among the most affordable MacBooks in Apple’s lineup.
With this model, Apple is clearly demonstrating its effort to enter the budget laptop segment, which has so far been dominated primarily by Windows devices or Chromebooks. The MacBook Neo is thus intended to serve as a gateway into the world of macOS for new users.
For a quick overview of the new MacBook Neo, we’ve included the official video from Apple.
The MacBook Neo uses an iPhone chip for the first time
One of the most interesting changes is the processor used. The MacBook Neo is actually the first Mac that doesn’t use a chip from the Apple M-series family, but instead utilizes the Apple A18 Pro chip, which Apple originally introduced in the iPhone 16 Pro.
The Apple A18 Pro is manufactured using a 3-nanometer process and features a six-core processor. It consists of two high-performance cores designed for more demanding tasks and four energy-efficient cores that handle less demanding operations to reduce power consumption. The chip also includes a five-core graphics unit and a 16-core Neural Engine, which Apple uses to process artificial intelligence and machine learning tasks.
Using an iPhone chip is a relatively unusual decision, as most modern MacBooks use more powerful chips from the Apple M family. However, with this move, Apple has managed to reduce the device’s production cost while maintaining sufficient performance for everyday tasks such as web browsing, working with documents, communicating via video calls, or playing videos.
Although the A18 Pro chip’s performance won’t match that of the M3 or M4 processors, Apple claims that thanks to macOS optimizations and the chip’s energy efficiency, the MacBook Neo can offer smooth system performance during normal use while delivering excellent battery life.
13-inch Liquid Retina display and all-day battery life
The MacBook Neo features a 13-inch LCD display, which Apple refers to as Liquid Retina. The panel offers a resolution of 2408 × 1506 pixels and a refresh rate of 60 Hz, which is the same as on most entry-level MacBooks.
The display’s maximum brightness reaches approximately 500 nits, which is slightly higher than on the older MacBook Air with the M1 chip. Higher brightness can be an advantage, especially when working in brighter environments or using the laptop outdoors.
The display supports a wide color gamut and is optimized for watching videos, viewing photos, or everyday work with documents. Thanks to its high resolution, the image remains sharp even with smaller elements of the macOS user interface.
Apple has used a classic LCD panel with a 60 Hz refresh rate for this model, which means the MacBook Neo does not offer technologies like ProMotion, which are available in the more expensive MacBook Pro models. The display is therefore primarily geared toward everyday use, such as browsing the web, office applications, or watching multimedia.
Apple also notes that the MacBook Neo can run for up to 16 hours on a single charge, meaning all-day battery life without needing to recharge during normal use.
Design in four colors
Apple has decided to offer a wider range of colors for this model than for most MacBooks. The MacBook Neo is available in four color options, with the keyboard color-matched to the laptop’s body.
Users can choose between Silver, Indigo, Blush, and Citrus. The laptop’s chassis is made of aluminum, and Apple notes that the device also uses recycled materials. The laptop remains relatively light and portable, weighing approximately 1.22 kilograms (2.69 lb).
The MacBook Neo uses a design language similar to that of modern MacBook Airs, featuring a thin aluminum body with a minimalist look and narrow bezels around the display. The laptop is therefore designed to be particularly suitable for everyday use, whether commuting to school or work or traveling.
The laptop is equipped with a Magic Keyboard and a large Multi-Touch trackpad that supports macOS gestures. However, unlike more expensive MacBook models, the keyboard lacks backlighting, which is one of the compromises Apple made to lower the device’s price.
Another interesting feature is the security solution. The base version of the MacBook Neo with 256 GB of storage does not include Touch ID. It is available only in the version with the larger 512 GB storage, which is approximately $100 more expensive.
MacBook Neo Technical Specifications
The MacBook Neo is one of Apple’s entry-level laptops, and its hardware is primarily designed for everyday use, such as working with documents, browsing the internet, or watching multimedia. For a better overview, here are the basic technical specifications of this laptop.
| Parameter | Values |
| Processor | Apple A18 Pro |
| CPU | 6-core (2 high-performance 4 energy-efficient cores) |
| GPU | 5-core graphics |
| Neural Engine | 16-core engine |
| RAM | 8 GB unified memory |
| Storage | 256 GB or 512 GB SSD |
| Display | 13″ Liquid Retina |
| Resolution | 2408 × 1506 |
| Brightness | 500 nits |
| Camera | 1080p FaceTime HD |
| Ports | 2× USB-C, 3.5 mm jack |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6 |
| External display support | 1× 4K monitor |
| Battery life | up to 16 hours |
| Charging | 20 W USB-C power adapter |
| Weight | Approximately 1.22 kg |
| Colors | Silver, Indigo, Blush, Citrus |
Voice of the Internet: First User Reactions
The unveiling of the MacBook Neo immediately sparked a heated discussion on social media and tech forums. The most reactions appeared on Reddit, where users are primarily discussing the performance of the A18 Pro chip and the overall philosophy behind this laptop.
Many users point out that this is the first time Apple has used an iPhone chip in a MacBook. Comments in the discussions include: “Why would I buy a MacBook with an iPhone chip when the old MacBook Air with the M1 is still more powerful?” or “If the price is around $700, it could be a good laptop for students.””
Memory is also a frequent topic of discussion. The base configuration with 8 GB of RAM has elicited mixed reactions among users. Some argue that it’s sufficient for everyday use, while others point out that by 2026, the base configuration could offer more.
Another topic of discussion is Apple’s decision to remove Touch ID from the base model with 256 GB of storage. Many users criticize this move, as the fingerprint reader has been a standard feature on most MacBooks for years. Some reactions are quite direct: “Touch ID should be in every MacBook, not just the more expensive configuration.”
On the other hand, however, there are also many positive reactions. Users on Instagram and Facebook often praise the laptop’s color options in particular, which look different from traditional MacBooks. Comments also include reactions such as: “Finally, a MacBook that doesn’t always look the same.”
Overall, it seems that the MacBook Neo has attracted a lot of attention and divided users into two camps. Some see it as an affordable entry into the world of MacBooks, while others point out the compromises Apple made to achieve a lower price for the device.
Price and Availability
The MacBook Neo is currently the cheapest laptop in Apple’s lineup. The base model with 256 GB of storage retails for approximately $599 in the US, while the configuration with a 512 GB SSD and Touch ID support costs around $699.
Apple opened pre-orders on March 4, 2026, and official sales will begin on March 11, 2026. The MacBook Neo can be ordered directly through the Apple Store, but it is also available from authorized resellers. In the US, customers can pre-order or purchase it from major electronics retailers, such as Amazon.
Summary
The MacBook Neo represents a new direction in Apple’s portfolio. It is a laptop designed primarily to appeal to users seeking a simple and more affordable entry point into the macOS ecosystem. Apple made several compromises with this model to achieve a lower price, yet it still offers a modern design, good battery life, and hardware that should easily handle everyday tasks.
Early user reactions suggest that the MacBook Neo could be an interesting choice, especially for students or people who need a MacBook primarily for web browsing, working with documents, or watching videos. The question remains, however, how the new model will perform in practice and whether the A18 Pro chip’s performance will be sufficient even when compared to laptops using chips from the Apple M family.
MacBook Neo is the most affordable laptop in Apple’s lineup. It offers a modern design, a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, and the A18 Pro chip, designed mainly for everyday use.