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Apple has just shaken up the laptop market by pulling the covers off the MacBook Neo. Starting at only $599, this new machine aims to bring the premium feel of a Mac to a much wider audience. This bold move puts high-end aesthetics and powerful internal tech into a package that is more affordable than ever before.
A fresh palette and durable build
The first thing you notice about the MacBook Neo is the recycled aluminium enclosure. It feels solid and sturdy, yet it weighs only 1.2kg (2.7 pounds), making it light enough to slip into a bag without a second thought. Apple has moved away from purely metallic tones to offer a spectrum of four distinct colours: blush, indigo, silver, and a vibrant new citrus.
The design is soft, with rounded corners that make it comfortable to carry. Interestingly, the colour theme doesn’t stop at the lid. The Magic Keyboard features shades that coordinate with the outer shell, and the macOS wallpapers are set up to match the hardware right out of the box.
Screen quality and visuals
Open the lid and you are met with a 13-inch Liquid Retina display. With a resolution of 2408-by-1506 and 500 nits of brightness, the screen is sharp and easy to read even in bright rooms. It supports one billion colours, which is a massive jump for a laptop at this price point. To help with glare, Apple has included an anti-reflective coating, ensuring that whether you are editing photos or watching a film, the picture remains clear.
Performance powered by A18 Pro
Inside, the MacBook Neo uses the A18 Pro chip. This is the same sort of silicon found in high-end mobile devices, and it allows the laptop to run without a fan. This means the device stays completely silent, no matter how hard it is working.
The performance is impressive: it is roughly 50 per cent faster for browsing the web and up to three times faster for AI-related tasks compared to popular competing PC laptops. With a 16-core Neural Engine, it handles modern AI tools like photo “Clean Up” or note summarising locally on the device, which helps keep your data private.
Built for the All-Day Grind
Battery life is often the deciding factor for students and travellers, and the Neo offers up to 16 hours on a single charge. This efficiency comes from the way the A18 Pro chip manages power.
For video calls, there is a 1080p FaceTime HD camera tucked into the top bezel. It works alongside dual mics that use “beamforming” to focus on your voice and block out background noise. Sound is delivered through side-firing speakers that support Spatial Audio, giving a wider sense of space when you are listening to music or watching videos.
Practical features and connectivity
The typing experience remains a priority with the Magic Keyboard, which provides a tactile and quiet feel. Below it sits a large Multi-Touch trackpad that responds to pinches and swipes across its entire surface. For those who want extra security, versions with Touch ID allow for quick logins and secure payments via Apple Pay.
In terms of ports, the Neo keeps things simple but modern:
- Two USB-C ports (both can be used for charging or connecting screens)
- A 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio
- Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 6 for fast wireless speeds
Green credentials
Apple has also focused on the environmental impact of this release. The Neo is their most eco-friendly laptop to date, using 60% recycled content overall. The frame itself is made using a new process that uses half the amount of aluminium compared to older methods, and the battery relies on 100% recycled cobalt.
The MacBook Neo is a significant shift for Apple. It offers the speed and battery life of modern Apple silicon without the usual high cost, making it an ideal choice for anyone from students to small business owners. Pre-orders are open now, with the first units arriving on Wednesday, March 11.
