CNET reviews Apple’s MacBook Neo: ‘An absolute banger of a budget laptop’
Apple’s all-new MacBook Neo, its most affordable laptop ever, starts at just $599 (and $499 for education customers), bringing the full Mac experience to millions more users worldwide with a breakthrough price point designed to undercut cheap entry-level Windows PCs and Chromebooks.
Apple’s all-new MacBook Neo, its most affordable laptop ever, starts at just $599 (and $499 for education customers), bringing the full Mac experience to millions more users worldwide with a breakthrough price point designed to undercut cheap entry-level Windows PCs and Chromebooks.
The 13-inch model features a durable aluminum enclosure available in vibrant new colors—blush, indigo, silver, and a fresh citrus—paired with a stunning Liquid Retina display offering high resolution, 500 nits brightness, and support for 1 billion colors for vivid websites, photos, videos, and apps.
At its core is the A18 Pro chip, delivering up to 50% faster everyday performance like web browsing and up to 3x quicker on-device AI tasks (such as advanced photo effects) compared to the top-selling PC with the latest Intel Core Ultra 5, while providing up to 16 hours of battery life for true all-day use without recharging.
Additional highlights include a 1080p FaceTime HD camera with dual mics for sharp video calls, dual side-firing speakers with Spatial Audio for immersive sound, Apple’s comfortable and precise Magic Keyboard, a large Multi-Touch trackpad with gesture support, and macOS Tahoe featuring seamless iPhone integration, Apple Intelligence, and broad app compatibility.
By far the most affordable MacBook, it still offers the same premium design and durability as Apple’s pricier MacBooks. It’s also lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry, and comes in three fun colors (plus standard silver).
A combination of the MacBook Neo and the cheapest iPhone comes out to only $100 more than the cheapest MacBook Air alone. And you still get Apple’s $100 education discount with the Neo, which is nearly double the percentage discount (17% versus 9%) that students can save on the Air.
As cute and colorful as it is, the MacBook Neo is more than just a starter laptop. It could also serve as a great device for anyone who wants to browse the web, watch a show or movie, perform some light edits on photos and text using all 10 fingers on a keyboard — rather than just two thumbs on your iPhone…
I can’t believe how similar the MacBook Neo is to its big siblings. Like MacBook Air and Pro models, the Neo has a sturdy, all-aluminum body. It feels just as rigid as a MacBook Air or Pro with the same luxurious look. The Neo doesn’t cheapen the MacBook brand.
The MacBook Neo is easily the best laptop for school use, especially if you or the student you’re buying for already has an iPhone. The two work seamlessly together. Given the convenience and security that Touch ID provides, however, I’d view Apple’s $100 educational discount as a way to add Touch ID (along with more storage) for free instead of lowering the price of the base model.
For those out of school and who want a cheap, portable laptop for casual use around the house or for a job that doesn’t require demanding creative, scientific or AI tasks, the MacBook Neo makes a lot of sense for the money. You won’t find a better-designed laptop at this price.
MacDailyNews Take: There’s tons more, including benchmarks where the New blows away Chromebooks, in the full article here.
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