Apple just announced a new entry-level MacBook that runs on the same A18 Pro chip that launched two years ago in its iPhone 16 lineup and starts at $599. With older M-series MacBooks being phased out, it’s a cheaper alternative that competes with Windows and ChromeOS models, while using hardware that was already in mass production for other devices.
The Neo also features a 13-inch display, 8GB of RAM, 256GB or 512GB of storage, a Magic Keyboard, multi-touch trackpad, 1080p camera, two USB-C ports, a headphone jack, and new side-firing speakers with support for spatial audio and Dolby Atmos. It also comes in four colors: silver, indigo, blush, and citrus, each with a color-matched keyboard.
The MacBook Neo arrives several years after Apple discontinued its 12-inch MacBook in 2019, trimming the MacBook lineup down to just the Air and Pro models. The classic white MacBook discontinued in 2012 also held a similarly budget-friendly spot in the Mac family. The MacBook Neo’s relatively low starting price may be especially appealing after Apple announced the M5 MacBook Air on Tuesday, which has a higher starting price than its predecessor.