MacBook Neo: Apple unveils its first affordable Mac at $599 to compete with Chromebooks

The MacBook Neo is official. Apple unveiled its first entry-level laptop on March 4, 2026, starting at $599, powered by the A18 Pro chip.

For the first time in years, Apple is directly targeting the accessible laptop segment, a territory previously dominated by Google's Chromebooks and low-cost Windows ultrabooks. This unprecedented positioning restructures the Mac lineup into three distinct tiers: Neo, Air, and Pro. It's a strong signal sent to a new category of buyers that Cupertino has not prioritized until now.

A bet on accessibility

Apple designed the MacBook Neo to meet the needs of students and users whose activities do not require demanding workloads, such as 4K video editing or 3D modeling. "We're incredibly excited to introduce MacBook Neo, which brings the magic of the Mac at an accessible price," said John Ternus, Apple's senior vice president of hardware engineering, in an official press release. "Designed from the ground up to be more affordable for even more people, MacBook Neo is a laptop only Apple could create.""We're incredibly excited to introduce MacBook Neo, which delivers the magic of the Mac at a breakthrough price. Built from the ground up to be more affordable for even more people, MacBook Neo is a laptop only Apple could create.")

This positioning directly echoes the strategy Google deployed with the Chromebook over a decade ago. The fundamental difference lies in the ecosystem: the MacBook Neo runs macOS with full access to native applications, whereas Chrome OS imposes a more restrictive framework. This is a significant argument for users hesitating between a Mac and an entry-level Windows or Chrome OS machine.

The A18 Pro chip, a structural choice

The choice of A18 Pro chip constitutes the most decisive decision for this product. Apple is using the same processor here as the one powering the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, launched in 2024, rather than the M5 chip that powers the latest MacBook Air. This choice allows Cupertino to maintain a low price while offering sufficient performance for everyday use.

According to Apple's official press release published on March 4, 2026, the MacBook Neo is up to 50% faster for common tasks like web browsing, and up to 3 times faster for running local artificial intelligence workloads, compared to the best-selling PC equipped with the latest Intel Core Ultra 5 processor. The chip integrates a 6-core CPU, a 5-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine, the latter being specifically designed to accelerate tasks related to Apple Intelligence. Like the MacBook Air, the machine operates fanlessly, ensuring complete silence in all circumstances.

Design, display, and technical specifications

The MacBook Neo features a chassis made of 90% recycled aluminum and a 13-inch screen with a Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2,408 x 1,506 pixels, a 3:2 aspect ratio, and a brightness of 500 nits, according to Apple's official technical specifications. The front FaceTime HD camera is 1080p, a standard that many competitors only offer as an option on entry-level machines. The whole package weighs 1.23 kg, placing it in a comfortable portable category for daily use on the go.

Sound is provided by two side speakers compatible with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos, complemented by a dual microphone with beamforming directivity. Battery life is announced at 16 hours of video playback or 11 hours of web browsing, thanks to a 36.5 Wh lithium-ion battery, according to Apple's official data. In terms of connectivity, the machine has two USB-C ports (including one USB 3 with DisplayPort and one USB 2), as well as a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Wireless connectivity relies on Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 6.

One of the notable concessions compared to higher-end models concerns the Magic Keyboard, which does not benefit from backlighting. Touch ID is reserved for the model with 512 GB of storage, according to Apple's official press release. The machine is available in four colors: silver, blush, citrus (yellow), and indigo (blue).

Configurations and prices

Both models include 8 GB of unified memory and are available in the four colors.

Memory shortage and window of opportunity

The launch of the MacBook Neo comes in a difficult context for the entire sector. The persistent shortage of RAM has led to a significant increase in prices for Apple's high-end models: the MacBook Pro is now up to $400 more expensive than its predecessors due to this supply constraint, according to TechCrunch. This situation enhances the attractiveness of the MacBook Neo, whose mobile chip-based architecture helps to partially circumvent these cost increases.

For educational institutions, the reduced price of $499 further strengthens competitiveness against Chromebooks, whose prices often start below $300 but with significantly more limited capabilities. Industry analysts estimate that this Apple offensive in the entry-level segment could redistribute market share in the under-$700 laptop segment, according to CNN.

Availability

The MacBook Neo has been available for pre-order since March 4, 2026, with an official sales launch scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 2026, according to Apple's official press release. The machine will be distributed through Apple and its usual resellers.

The MacBook Neo redefines Apple's laptop range and opens the brand to a new category of buyers. For those looking to integrate into the Mac ecosystem without spending more than 700 euros, the machine represents a serious option, provided they accept some compromises on connectivity and the absence of keyboard backlighting. The real question now will be to see how Google and Windows manufacturers will respond to this unprecedented price repositioning by Apple.