Apple Launches $599 MacBook Neo With iPhone Chip
Apple Inc. has introduced a new entry-level laptop, the MacBook Neo, priced from $599, marking its most direct move yet into the budget PC market.
The 13-inch notebook is powered by the A18 Pro chip – previously used in Apple’s flagship iPhones – signaling a strategic push to extend its in-house silicon across more product categories. The company says the six-core A18 Pro system-on-chip delivers faster performance for everyday tasks such as web browsing and on-device artificial intelligence than the best-selling Intel Core Ultra 5 processor, though it did not specify the comparison model.
At roughly 45 percent cheaper than the current MacBook Air, the Neo comes with trade-offs. It is limited to 8GB of RAM, with no option for upgrades, and offers either 256GB or 512GB of storage. Thunderbolt support is absent, and connectivity is pared down to one USB-C 2.0 port and one USB-C 3.0 port. The latter can drive a single 4K external display at 60Hz using DisplayPort 1.4-equivalent specifications.
Despite its lower price, Apple retains several premium design elements. The MacBook Neo features an aluminum chassis and weighs 2.7 pounds (1.23 kg). It will be available in four colors – silver, blush, indigo, and a new citrus finish. Apple says the battery can support up to 16 hours of video streaming or 11 hours of wireless web use.
The laptop’s 13-inch IPS display carries Apple’s Liquid Retina branding and reaches 500 nits of brightness, though the resolution has been reduced to 2,408 by 1,506 pixels. It does not include P3 wide color support or True Tone technology. The built-in webcam supports 1080p video but omits the Desk View feature found in higher-end models.
Apple is positioning the Neo primarily for students. Pre-orders have opened at $599 for the 256GB configuration, with a discounted $499 price available to students. The 512GB version costs $100 more and includes a dedicated Touch ID key. General availability begins March 11.
The launch comes as Apple also refreshes its MacBook Air and MacBook Pro lines with newer M5-series processors. Industry analysts note that Apple’s entry into the sub-$600 segment contrasts with forecasts from firms such as Gartner, which have warned that rising memory costs could squeeze out ultra-low-cost laptops in the coming years.
By leveraging a smartphone chip in a full laptop, Apple appears to be betting that efficiency, battery life and brand appeal can outweigh raw specifications in the increasingly competitive budget computing market.
