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ZDNET's key takeaways
- Apple just announced a new “cheap” MacBook for $599.
- It's called the MacBook Neo, and it comes in multiple “playful” colors.
- It uses the A18 chip — the same processor found in the iPhone 16 Pro.
After months of rumors and speculation, Apple just announced its latest entry-level addition to its MacBook lineup: the MacBook Neo. Priced at $599 and equipped with an A18 processor (the same chip found in the iPhone 16 Pro), Apple takes aim at budget PCs and Chromebooks in the low-end PC market — an area in which it historically has had virtually no market share.
Entry-level MacBook
The MacBook comes at a particularly interesting time, amid soaring RAM prices, update fatigue, planned obsolescence, and AI dominating the industry — for better or for worse.
Also: Apple's March event live blog: Every new product and updates from the show
In contrast to all that, it's a 2.74-pound, colorful laptop with a breezy price tag and a simplified outlook. You're not running local LLMs on this laptop or editing 8K video here. You're surfing the web, responding to email, and connecting to your iPhone — everyday tasks that everyone does.
The A18 processor enables solid performance across everyday tasks, multitasking, and media, but its raw power is understandably limited when compared to the new M5 chips found in the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models. The Neo's 13-inch Liquid Retina display comes in at 500 nits of brightness and has a 2408 x 1506 resolution, with a 1080p FaceTimeHD webcam.
In terms of hardware, the Neo comes with 8GB of unified memory, and either 256 or 512GB of local storage. It doesn't feature the same N1 chipset as the new Air and Pro/Pro Max M5 devices, so it just supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 6. It also features two USB-C ports, but they're not Thunderbolt-enabled.
Also: The new MacBook Pro gives you M5 Pro and Max power now – for a bigger price
Did I mention the colors?
The new MacBook comes in Indigo, Blush, Citrus and Silver colors, marking a significant distinction from the all-business MacBook lineup, which hasn't strayed from the familiar Space Gray or Black colorways in years.
The 12.9-inch Neo allows Apple to enter the budget consumer laptop market and compete directly with cheap PCs and Chromebooks — an area in which it previously hadn't had much sway.
As the entry-level device in its laptop lineup, Apple's recently announced MacBook Air M5 and MacBook Pro and Pro Max M5 saw price increases of $100 to $400, pushing those models further into premium territory to make room for the affordable Neo.
Sure, the iMac M4 dropped in a handful of fun colorways, but the laptops specifically have been steadfastly monotone for too long. These new colors signal that Apple may consider stepping outside the box with its MacBook lineup down the line.
Also: The new MacBook Air M5 costs $100 more – here's what that gets you
This is something Apple used to be known for, after all — lightness and accessibility.
The MacBook Neo is available for pre-order today, with general retail availability beginning March 11th.
