Apple unveils $599 MacBook Neo aimed at students and first-time Mac buyers
Apple refreshed several of its products this week, including laptops, iPads and its lowest-cost iPhone. But the star of the show may be a brand-new $599 laptop called the MacBook Neo.
The company introduced the device during its “Special Experience” event in New York City, positioning it as a more affordable entry point into the Mac lineup.
The MacBook Neo is now Apple’s most affordable computer and comes in four colors.
One notable difference from other Macs: the Neo is powered by an iPhone processor. It runs on the A18 Pro chip, the same processor found in the iPhone 16 Pro.
For many buyers, that may be enough power for everyday tasks like web browsing, schoolwork and streaming.
Despite the lower price, the laptop still includes many features people expect from a Mac. The MacBook Neo has a 13-inch display, two USB-C ports, a headphone jack, a 1080p camera and dual speakers with Dolby Atmos.
It also runs the full version of macOS, meaning users can install and run standard Mac apps. Battery life is estimated at up to 16 hours, but the keyboard does not have backlighting.
The base model includes 8 gigabytes of RAM and 256 gigabytes of storage. You can pay an extra $100 for 512 gigabytes of storage and a Touch ID fingerprint reader.
Even better? If you’re a student or qualify for eduction pricing, Neo is just $499.
For students or anyone who needs a simple but capable computer for everyday tasks, the MacBook Neo could give budget Windows laptops and Chromebooks some real competition.
The laptop will be available starting March 11.