The MacBook Neo Isn’t the Only Low-Cost Mac ...

Apple’s “reasonably priced” MacBook is official. The corporate revealed the “MacBook Neo” in a non-livestreamed event on Wednesday, following a collection of product bulletins all through the week. Regardless of the hoopla, there aren’t a ton of surprises right here: The rumors pointed to a low-cost MacBook operating an iPhone chip that got here in a wide range of enjoyable colours to select from. That is mainly precisely what we obtained: The Neo runs the A18 Professional—the identical chip because the iPhone 16 Professional—and is available in Blush (pink), Indigo, Citrus (yellow/inexperienced), and Silver.

Actually, the largest shock of the day is the value: $599, or $499 when you purchase by the schooling retailer (which anyone can buy from). It is a bit unbelievable that you may purchase a brand new MacBook for as little as $500 in 2026, especially considering that computer components are only skyrocketing in price. Again in 2008, a MacBook cost $1,099, which is simply shy of $1,700 in at the moment’s cash. Now, you should buy three MacBook Neos for that value, and nonetheless have cash left over for equipment.

The MacBook Neo is not excellent

In case you’re available in the market for a brand new MacBook, the Neo is perhaps notably tempting. But it surely actually is not the one Mac you need to take into account. Regardless of Apple’s dear fame, you’ll be able to choose up highly effective Macs for very affordable costs nowadays—although not essentially by Apple itself. The corporate will fortunately promote you a MacBook Air beginning at $1,099 ($999 by the schooling retailer) which is kind of a bit greater than the Neo. As a substitute, you need to take into account older Macs by different shops that carry them. It’d sound odd, however you actually is perhaps higher off with one thing that did not come out this yr, and even one thing pre-owned.

Again when the Neo was only a rumor, I recommended not waiting for it. Positive, the colours sounded enjoyable, and the value is nice, however there are some critical drawbacks to contemplate right here—first, and foremost, the underlying {hardware}. The A18 Professional is a succesful chip for the iPhone 16 Professional, but it surely’s unproven as a automobile to run macOS. It is an Apple-designed chip, so there is a bonus there, but it surely nonetheless wasn’t designed for Apple’s OS in the identical manner the Mac’s M-series chips have been. We can’t know actual efficiency specs till testers get their palms on the Neo, however my guess is the A18 Professional isn’t going to be a macOS workhouse—therefore that ultra-low value.

The Neo’s RAM can be holding it again. Apple is barely delivery Neos with 8GB of reminiscence, which will likely be positive for simplest duties, however no more complicated ones, or for multitasking. Energy customers who attempt to push the Neo will possible run into points with attempting to run too many packages (or too many browser tabs) without delay. That stated, Apple is aware of it has a lot of customers counting on 8GB of RAM, since it was the entry-level standard up until M4. Plus, that decrease RAM is a big a part of what’s retaining the value down.

Lastly, there are the nitpicky issues. The keyboard, whereas color-matched, would not have a backlight, and when you’re choosing the bottom mannequin, you will not get Contact ID. For that, you may have to spend one other $100, although that may even double your storage (512GB as an alternative of 256GB). There is not any MagSafe, which has turn out to be a typical once more on trendy MacBooks, and the trackpad is mechanical reasonably than haptic—although that may not essentially be higher or worse.

None of these items are essentially a deal breaker, and different MacBooks have comparable points. However that does not imply the Neo is true for everybody on this value vary. Earlier than you hit “preorder” on Apple’s web site, listed here are a pair different choices to contemplate.

The M1 MacBook Air continues to be price contemplating

The M1 MacBook Air could go down in historical past as one of the best laptop computer Apple ever made. Not as a result of it is probably the most highly effective, or the sleekest design, however as a result of this five-year-old MacBook continues to be going robust. In case you purchased one again in 2020, you may nonetheless have one, and don’t have any actual motive to improve.

Apple would not make this Air any longer—the truth is, it solely makes the M5 choice it introduced this week. However you’ll be able to nonetheless choose up the M1 from shops like Amazon and Walmart, typically at wildly good costs. I am going to level you to 2 choices right here, as potential Neo alternate options. One is the bottom mannequin M1 Air, with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. That is half the storage of the Neo, which could possibly be an issue, however that sacrifice saves you much more cash. Proper now, Walmart has a pre-owned model for simply over $350. That is powerful to beat.

Here is an choice that does beat it: On Amazon, you should buy an M1 MacBook Air with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for $515. If you’ll find a machine like this at that value, leap on it. Even when the A18 Professional outperforms the M1 chip in testing, that 16GB of RAM will preserve this machine feeling quick for longer. I strongly recommend shopping for a MacBook with 16GB of RAM in 2026, so when you can choose one up at this value, go for it.

The M2 MacBook Air is reasonable, and a beast

Within the $600 to $650 vary, the M2 MacBook Air is a beast. You could have Apple’s second-gen M-series chip, in fact, but in addition Apple’s trendy MacBook design. The corporate hasn’t actually modified the look of its MacBook Airs for the reason that M2, which implies this machine appears brand-new. It comes with a brighter and bigger show over the M1 Air and MagSafe charging, too.

Once more, Apple would not make this mannequin anymore, so you might want to look to the pre-owned and third-party markets right here. You could find fashions with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for $600, like this one on Amazon. 16GB of RAM could be very best, but it surely’s powerful to seek out M2s with that configuration on this pricing proper now, as it tends to push things into the $800 range. However that is the compromise at this value level: You get the fashionable type issue and the newer chip, whereas sacrificing the RAM. M2 with 8GB of RAM might be going to outlast A18 Professional with 8GB of RAM on the subject of macOS. We’ll want to attend for testing to make certain, however I might wager on the chip made for macOS.

The MacBook Neo might be a terrific purchase

This is not to say that you just should not take into account the Neo. In actual fact, it is perhaps the appropriate Mac for you. For one, you are getting a model new Mac—not pre-owned or refurbished—for $499, in colour choices the M-series Macs have by no means supplied. There are additionally some perks you do not get with M1 or M2 MacBook Airs: The M1 has a 720p FaceTime digicam whereas M2 and Neo have a 1080p lens. The MacBook Neo has help for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 6, requirements each M1 and M2 do not help. If the Neo is your jam, I am not attempting to dissuade you.

As a substitute, I might encourage you to attend till we all know extra about it. Apple opened up preorders at the moment, however do not rush: Preserve a watch out for benchmarks and real-world testing, and see how the A18 Professional compares to M1 and M2 when operating macOS.