Apple has announced the MacBook Neo, a new 13-inch laptop aimed at expanding the Mac lineup with a lower starting price. The device begins at $599 in the United States and $499 for education customers, making it the most affordable MacBook currently available. Pre-orders are now live through Apple’s online store and Apple Store app in more than 30 countries and regions, with retail availability starting Wednesday, March 11.
MacBook Neo features a 13-inch Liquid Retina display with a 2408 x 1506 resolution and up to 500 nits of brightness. The panel supports one billion colors and includes an anti-reflective coating designed to improve visibility in different lighting conditions. Apple positions the display as offering higher brightness and resolution compared to many laptops in the same price category, targeting students and everyday users who require a clear screen for web browsing, streaming, document editing, and media consumption.
The laptop is powered by the A18 Pro chip, bringing Apple silicon to a new entry segment. According to Apple, MacBook Neo delivers up to 50 percent faster performance in common tasks such as browsing the web and working with documents when compared to top-selling PCs equipped with Intel Core Ultra 5 processors. For on-device AI processing, including advanced photo adjustments and app-based AI tools, Apple claims performance gains of up to three times. The A18 Pro integrates a 5-core GPU for graphics workloads, and a 16-core Neural Engine to accelerate AI-driven features across macOS apps. The system operates without a cooling fan, enabling silent performance during daily use.
Battery life is rated at up to 16 hours on a single charge. Apple continues to focus on power efficiency with its silicon design, aiming to provide all-day usage for students and mobile professionals without frequent charging.
MacBook Neo carries an aluminium enclosure and weighs approximately 2.7 pounds. It will be available in four finishes: blush, indigo, silver, and citrus. The design includes rounded edges and a color-matched Magic Keyboard. The keyboard is paired with a large Multi-Touch trackpad that supports macOS gestures for navigation, multitasking, and productivity. Select configurations include Touch ID for biometric login and secure purchases using Apple Pay.
For communication and media, MacBook Neo includes a 1080p FaceTime HD camera with updated image processing. Dual microphones with directional beamforming are designed to reduce background noise during video calls. The device also features dual side-firing speakers with support for Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos playback, targeting users who consume streaming content or participate in online meetings.
Connectivity options include two USB-C ports that support charging and external displays, along with a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio. Wireless connectivity is handled through Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 6, offering faster and more stable connections for compatible networks and accessories.
The laptop ships with macOS Tahoe, which includes built-in applications such as Safari, Messages, Photos, Pages, and FaceTime. Apple Intelligence features, including Writing Tools and Live Translation, are integrated at the system level and supported by the Neural Engine for on-device processing. MacBook Neo also works with Apple’s Continuity features, allowing users to transition tasks between Mac and iPhone using Handoff, copy and paste across devices with Universal Clipboard, and access iPhone Mirroring directly on the Mac display.
Apple states that MacBook Neo is designed with sustainability goals in mind. The device uses 60 percent recycled materials, including 90 percent recycled aluminium in the enclosure and 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery. The manufacturing process incorporates renewable electricity across portions of the supply chain, and the packaging is fully fiber-based to support recyclability.
With a starting price of $599, MacBook Neo enters a competitive segment dominated by Windows laptops in the same range. Apple is positioning the new model as an entry point to the macOS ecosystem, combining Apple silicon performance, long battery life, and ecosystem integration at a lower cost than previous MacBook models. The device will begin shipping to customers and arriving in retail stores starting March 11.
Apple MacBook Neo Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model Name | Apple MacBook Neo |
| Display | 13-inch Liquid Retina |
| Resolution | 2408 x 1506 pixels |
| Brightness | Up to 500 nits |
| Color Support | 1 billion colors |
| Processor | A18 Pro chip |
| GPU | 5-core integrated GPU |
| Neural Engine | 16-core Neural Engine |
| Cooling | Fanless design |
| Battery Life | Up to 16 hours |
| Camera | 1080p FaceTime HD |
| Microphones | Dual mics with beamforming |
| Speakers | Dual side-firing speakers with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos |
| Keyboard | Magic Keyboard |
| Trackpad | Large Multi-Touch trackpad |
| Biometric Security | Touch ID (select models) |
| Ports | 2x USB-C, 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Wireless Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6 |
| Operating System | macOS Tahoe |
| Weight | 2.7 pounds |
| Build Material | Aluminium enclosure |
| Colors | Blush, Indigo, Silver, Citrus |
| Starting Price | $599 ($499 Education) |
| Availability | Pre-orders open now, available March 11 |
