Apple has introduced MacBook Neo, a new entry-level MacBook that focuses on everyday performance, long battery life, and a colorful aluminum design. The company positions the device as a more affordable way to enter the Mac ecosystem while still delivering core features such as Apple silicon performance, a Liquid Retina display, and the macOS experience many users already rely on.
The new laptop combines a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, up to 16 hours of battery life, and the A18 Pro chip for faster everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, editing photos, and using productivity apps. Apple also designed the device with portability in mind, as MacBook Neo weighs about 2.7 pounds and fits easily in a backpack or handbag.
Apple described the device as its most affordable MacBook ever, with a starting price of $599 and an education price of $499.
“We’re incredibly excited to introduce MacBook Neo, which delivers the magic of the Mac at a breakthrough price,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering.
He also added that the laptop combines Apple silicon performance, a Liquid Retina display, and macOS features in a design built to reach more users.
13-inch Liquid Retina display and aluminum design
MacBook Neo features a 13-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2408 by 1506, 500 nits of brightness, and support for one billion colors. Apple says the display delivers sharp text, vibrant images, and improved visibility thanks to an anti-reflective coating that helps when you work in different lighting conditions.
The laptop uses a durable aluminum enclosure with rounded corners and arrives in four colors:
- Blush
- Indigo
- Silver
- Citrus
Apple also color matched the Magic Keyboard and wallpapers to create a consistent design across the device.
A18 Pro chip and all day battery life
Apple built MacBook Neo around the A18 Pro chip, which allows the laptop to handle everyday computing tasks quickly and efficiently. According to Apple, the device runs up to 50 percent faster in common tasks such as web browsing when compared with popular PCs using Intel Core Ultra 5 processors.
Apple also highlights stronger AI performance.
- Up to 3x faster on-device AI workloads
- Up to 2x faster photo editing tasks
- Integrated 5-core GPU for graphics and games
- 16-core Neural Engine for Apple Intelligence features
The laptop runs silently because Apple designed it without a fan.
Battery life remains another major highlight. MacBook Neo delivers up to 16 hours of battery life on a single charge, which makes it suitable for school, work, and travel throughout the day.
Camera, keyboard, and connectivity
MacBook Neo includes a 1080p FaceTime HD camera along with dual microphones that use beamforming to reduce background noise and improve voice clarity during calls. Apple also added dual side firing speakers with support for Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos to deliver richer sound when watching videos or listening to music.
The laptop includes Apple’s Magic Keyboard and a large Multi Touch trackpad that supports gestures like swipe, scroll, and pinch for easier navigation. Models with Touch ID allow users to log in quickly and approve purchases with Apple Pay.
For connectivity, MacBook Neo includes:
- Two USB C ports for accessories or displays
- Headphone jack for wired audio
- Wi Fi 6E
- Bluetooth 6
Pricing and availability
MacBook Neo starts at $599 in the United States and $499 for education customers, which makes it Apple’s lowest priced MacBook so far. The laptop is available in blush, indigo, silver, and citrus colors.
Customers can pre order the device starting today, while Apple plans to begin deliveries and retail availability on March 11.
