Apple's MacBook Neo Brings iPhone Power and Bold Colors to Budget Laptops

Apple just unveiled something we haven't seen in years: a genuinely affordable MacBook that doesn't feel like a compromise. The MacBook Neo starts at just $599 and brings a fresh approach to budget computing that could reshape how we think about entry-level laptops.

A Bold Design Departure

The most immediately striking thing about the MacBook Neo isn't its price—it's those colors. Available in blush (a sophisticated pink), citrus (vibrant chartreuse), and indigo blue, these aren't the muted tones we're used to from Apple's laptop lineup. While they're not quite as bold as the orange iPhone 17 Pro, they're a welcome departure from the sea of silver and space gray that dominates the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro lines.

The Neo maintains the same weight as the current MacBook Air but feels denser in its slightly smaller 13-inch footprint. Apple has also made some fascinating design choices: there's no notch (just clean, even bezels around the display), and all ports—two USB-C and a headphone jack—live on the left side. The speakers, positioned on each side, are so slim they could be mistaken for SD card slots.

The iPhone Chip Gamble

Here's where things get really interesting: instead of Apple's laptop-focused M-series processors, the MacBook Neo runs on the A18 Pro chip—the same silicon powering the latest iPhones. This isn't just a cost-cutting measure; it's a strategic bet on mobile processors becoming powerful enough for laptop duties.

While we haven't run full performance tests yet, the A18 Pro has proven itself capable in demanding iPhone applications. The question is whether it can handle the multitasking and sustained workloads that laptop users expect. For students, casual users, and anyone primarily focused on web browsing, document editing, and media consumption, this could be more than adequate.

Tactile Surprises

Perhaps the most unexpected feature is the trackpad. After years of haptic feedback systems across the MacBook line, the Neo brings back a physically clicking trackpad—and it works beautifully. Unlike the piano-key style trackpads common in budget Windows laptops, the Neo's trackpad clicks consistently from corner to corner, just like Apple's haptic versions but with actual physical movement.

The keyboard, while not backlit (a reasonable omission at this price), feels identical to the MacBook Air's excellent typing experience. The color-matching is subtle on most models but particularly striking on the indigo variant.

Smart Positioning

At $599, the MacBook Neo sits in a sweet spot that Apple has largely abandoned in recent years. It's significantly cheaper than the $1,099 MacBook Air while offering a genuinely different experience rather than just fewer features. The colorful design will appeal to students and creative types, while the A18 Pro chip should provide plenty of power for everyday computing tasks.

This isn't trying to replace the MacBook Air or compete with the MacBook Pro—it's carving out its own niche as the fun, affordable Mac that doesn't feel like a compromise. For users who've been priced out of the Mac ecosystem or those looking for a capable secondary machine, the MacBook Neo represents exactly the kind of accessible innovation Apple does best.

The real test will be in daily use, but our first impressions suggest Apple has created something special: a budget laptop that feels premium where it matters most.

Sources

• The Verge: Our first hands-on look at Apple's MacBook Neo