Apple has unveiled the MacBook Neo, its most affordable laptop yet, during an event in New York this week. The new device marks Apple’s push to bring the macOS ecosystem to more users by introducing a budget-friendly MacBook that sits below the MacBook Air lineup.

The MacBook Neo starts at $599 globally, making it the cheapest MacBook Apple has released in years. In India, the base 256GB storage variant is priced at Rs 69,900, while the 512GB model costs Rs 79,900. Apple has confirmed that the laptop will go on sale starting March 11 in multiple markets, including India.

MacBook Neo design and display

Apple has used recycled aluminium to build the MacBook Neo, aligning with its sustainability goals. The laptop weighs 1.23 kg, which is close to the weight of the MacBook Air.

The device features a 13-inch LED Liquid Retina display with 500 nits of brightness. However, Apple has made some compromises to keep the price low.

The screen quality is slightly lower than the Air models, and the laptop does not feature the notch design seen on recent MacBook Air and MacBook Pro devices. The display also has thicker bezels around the edges.

Performance and software

Unlike other MacBooks that run on Apple’s M-series chips, the MacBook Neo is powered by the A18 Pro processor, the same chip used in the iPhone 16 Pro lineup.

The laptop comes with 8GB RAM and up to 512GB storage, though the RAM is not upgradeable. While the A18 Pro chip offers solid performance, it is not as powerful as Apple’s M-series processors used in higher-end MacBooks.

The device ships with macOS 26 and supports Apple AI features, giving users access to the company’s latest AI-driven tools and system capabilities.

Features and connectivity

To keep costs down, Apple has removed several premium features typically found in other MacBooks.

The keyboard is not backlit, and Touch ID is only available on the 512GB variant. The MacBook Neo also does not support MagSafe charging and instead relies on 20W charging.

Other features include:

  • Dual side speakers
  • 1080p webcam for FaceTime and video calls
  • Single USB-C 3.0 port
  • One USB-C 2.0 port
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • The trackpad on the MacBook Neo does not include Force Touch support, and the battery size is smaller compared to the MacBook Air.

Apple’s strategy with MacBook Neo

With the MacBook Neo, Apple appears to be targeting students, first-time Mac users and budget laptop buyers who want access to the macOS ecosystem without paying premium prices. By positioning the device below the MacBook Air, Apple could attract a wider audience and expand its laptop market share.