Apple has expanded its MacBook line with a new product: an affordable entry-level model. As with the iPhone and iPad, this MacBook Neo is aimed at users who want a compact laptop without having to spend a lot of money, while maintaining everyday performance.
This device stands out for its colorful design and the integration of an iPhone chip, which contributes to a good price-quality ratio. Ideal for students and standard users who prioritize mobility, this MacBook offers an attractive entry into the Apple ecosystem.
Design and color palette
The new MacBook Neo is designed with a sleek and lightweight aluminum chassis that feels thinner than ever and is perfect for on-the-go use. Apple introduces a palette of vibrant colors: Silver, Blush, Citrus and Indigo.
These bright colors provide a refresh from the more subdued tones of the MacBook Air and Pro, making the device more visually appealing to a wider audience. The design retains the recognizable Mac quality, with a sturdy unibody enclosure designed for everyday use.
Screen and size
Immediately 13-inch LCD retina screen the MacBook Neo delivers a sharp resolution, comparable to the MacBook Air. However, it lacks extras such as ProMotion or high brightness (max. 500 nits), which keeps the price low. The bezels of the screen are present and house a 1080p FaceTime HD camera.
This compact size, smaller than the Air’s 13.6-inch screen, makes the MacBook highly portable. The image quality is good enough for browsing, streaming and light editing. It is a smart choice for on the go without unnecessary luxury.
Performance with A18 Pro chip
The MacBook Neo is equipped with the A18 Pro chip of the iPhone 16 Pro and features 8GB RAM. This results in performance comparable to that of the original M1 chip. This configuration is perfect for web browsing, document editing, photo and video editing, and even casual gaming with ray tracing support. In addition, Apple Intelligence is also supported on this MacBook.
Thanks to the iPhone’s energy-efficient architecture, the chip performs efficiently when multitasking, and there is a Neural Engine for AI tasks such as image enhancement. Storage capacity starts at 256GB SSD and is expandable for basic needs.
Apple A18 Pro chip specifications
- 6-core CPU with 2 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores
- 5-core GPU
- Ray tracing with hardware acceleration
- 16-core Neural Engine
- 60 GB/s memory bandwidth
- H.264, HEVC, ProRes and ProRes RAW with hardware acceleration
- Video decoding engine and Video encoding engine
- ProRes encoding and decoding engine
- AV1 decode
Battery life and ports
The new MacBook has a battery life of up to 16 hours for video streaming or web use, partly due to the economical A18 Pro chip and is comparable to the MacBook Air. When it comes to ports, Apple has kept it simple: 1 USB-C port (USB 3, up to 10 Gb/s) for DisplayPort, data, accessories and charging and one USB 2 port (USB-C) for charging and accessories, among other things. You will also find one on the side 3.5mm headphone jack. You can connect the MacBook to an external screen, but support is limited to 4K at 60Hz.
Other options and possibilities
- Optional Touch ID to secure your Mac and confirm identity
- Two beamforming microphones
- Two speakers on the sides provide immersive sound
- Support for Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos
- Compatible with Apple Intelligence
- WiFi 6E
- Bluetooth 6
- Standard 256 GB SSD storage
- Delivered in the EU without USB-C power adapter
Price and availability
The MacBook Neo has a starting price of €699 and positions itself as the entry-level option for education and daily use. The new colorful MacBook is available for purchase from today and will be available from March 11 delivered.
The entry-level MacBook Neo is available as standard with an A18 Pro chip, 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD storage. Do you also want Touch ID? Then you pay €799 for an A18 Pro chip, 8 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD storage.
You will soon be able to buy the MacBook Neo, among other things MediaMarkt, Coolblue, Amazon, Azerty, InformatiqueYorcom or Bol.com. Are you going to sell your old MacBook? Nowadays you can also do this via our sales page.
This article is still being updated