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MacBook Neo

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Draft:MacBook Neo)

MacBook Neo
MacBook Neo in Indigo finish
DeveloperApple
Product family
MacBook
TypeLaptop
ReleasedMarch 11, 2026; 4 months ago (2026-03-11)
macOS
CPUApple A18 Pro
Memory8 GB (LPDDR5X-7500)
Storage256 or 512 GB SSD
Display13-inch, 2408 × 1506 Liquid Retina IPS (219 ppi, 500 nits)
InputMagic keyboard, mechanical multi-touch touchpad
Camera1080p FaceTime HD
Connectivity
Power36.5 Wh lithium‑ion battery
Dimensions0.5 × 11.71 × 8.12 in (13 × 297 × 206 mm)
Weight2.7 lb (1.22 kg)
Related
Websiteapple.com/macbook-neo

The MacBook Neo is a laptop in the MacBook family developed by Apple. It is the first Mac to use an A-series chip previously used only in the iPhone and iPad, rather than the M-series used in other Apple silicon Macs. Announced on March 4, 2026, and released on March 11, 2026, it is positioned as the entry-level model in the MacBook lineup, below the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. As of 2026, it is Apple's lowest-priced laptop.

Overview

[edit]

Apple introduced the MacBook Neo as part of its March 2026 product launches on March 4, 2026.[1] The laptop was described by reports as an entry-level model aimed at mainstream users and students.[2][3] According to an Apple marketing executive, the name "MacBook Neo" was chosen to feel fun, friendly, and fresh.[4]

The MacBook Neo is the lowest priced laptop that Apple has ever sold. At launch, the MacBook Neo sold with a starting price of US$599 or US$499 for those who qualify for education pricing, such as students and school staff.[5] Pre-orders began on March 4, 2026, with general availability beginning on March 11, 2026.[2][6] The starting price was increased by US$100 on June 25, 2026, amid global memory shortages.[7][8]

To lower production costs, Apple used binned A18 Pro chips retained from iPhone 16 Pro production. On these chips, one of the six GPU cores was defective and had been rejected during manufacturing. With that core disabled, the chips were configured as five-core GPUs for use in the MacBook Neo. Because Apple had already paid for the chips during iPhone 16 Pro production, they carried no additional procurement cost.[9][10]

Initial MacBook Neo production consumed Apple's entire stockpile of approximately five million binned A18 Pro chips. Apple subsequently expanded production to around ten million units in total, requiring an additional A18 Pro fabrication run.[11][12]

The Neo was designed with several other cost-reduction measures to achieve its lower price point. The computer is limited to 8 GB of unified memory, and uses a less advanced screen, while omitting several features found on higher-end MacBook models, including a backlit keyboard and a Force Touch trackpad, instead using a mechanical trackpad mechanism.[13]

Apple used an aluminum extrusion process for the MacBook Neo's enclosure, forming the material close to its final shape before machining. Higher-end MacBook models use aluminum blocks that are cut down to shape with CNC milling, a process that requires more machining time and removes more material, increasing cost.[14][15]

Specifications

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Design

[edit]

The MacBook Neo features an aluminum body design like the MacBook Air models,[16] a Liquid Retina display with black, uniform bezels. It is the first MacBook to have a notchless display since the 13-inch MacBook Pro in 2022. The Neo is available in four colors: Silver, Blush, Citrus, and Indigo.[17] The keyboard and feet are color-matched to the chassis.[18]

Hardware

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A view of the left-hand side of the device (from left to right): USB 10Gbps port, USB 2.0 port, 3.5 mm audio connector, and speaker. The right-hand side contains only a speaker.

The MacBook Neo has a 13-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2408 × 1506 pixels, a pixel density of 219 pixels per inch, 500 nits of brightness, and support for 1 billion colors.[6] Compared with the entry-level MacBook Air, the display is slightly smaller, lacks True Tone, and uses the sRGB color space rather than Wide P3. It includes a 1080p camera, while other current MacBook models use a 12-megapixel camera.[13]

It includes two USB-C ports: one USB 10Gbps port with support for DisplayPort 1.4 and one USB 2.0 port. It also includes a 3.5 mm audio jack, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 6.[6] The MacBook Neo supports one external 4K display at 60 Hz.[19] It has two microphones with directional beamforming and two side-firing speakers with support for Dolby Atmos, fewer microphones and speakers than found on higher-end MacBook models.[13]

The computer uses the Apple A18 Pro, a system on a chip (SoC), previously introduced in the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max.[17] It has 8 GB of unified memory shared by a six-core CPU, consisting of two performance cores and four efficiency cores, and a five-core GPU. The MacBook Neo is the first publicly available Mac to use an A-series processor rather than an M-series processor since the transition to Apple silicon.[a][1] The A18 Pro's low power consumption allows the MacBook Neo to use a passive, fanless cooling system.[21]

The 256 GB base model lacks Touch ID and uses a standard lock button in place of the fingerprint sensor. Touch ID is included on the 512 GB model.[17]

Performance

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Early benchmark testing by Digital Trends recorded Geekbench 6 scores of 3,461 points in single-core performance and 8,668 points in multi-core performance, along with a Metal graphics score of 31,286 points.[22] The same testing found higher single-core results than the M3 iPad Air.[22]

Photographer and video editor Tyler Stalman tested the MacBook Neo during professional workflows and concluded that "Editing 4K video on this computer is totally fine, even with every other app running."[23]

Repairability

[edit]

A report by iFixit found that the MacBook Neo is Apple's most repairable laptop in 14 years, citing features including a screwed-down battery, lack of parts pairing, screwed-down keyboard, and modular ports and speakers.[24]

iFixit attributed these design choices to Apple's targeting of institutional education customers, where IT departments need to replace frequently damaged components in deployed devices. The company noted that modular parts could simplify repairs in those environments.[24]

Technical specifications

[edit]
  1. 1 2 The MSRP was increased by $100 on June 25, 2026
  2. ↑ Not included in Europe
  3. ↑ Maximum charging rate of 35 watts, but does not meet Apple's definition of fast charging.[27]

Timeline

[edit]
Timeline of portable Macintoshes
Mac transition to Apple siliconiMac ProApple WatchiPadiPhoneMac ProPower Mac G5Power Mac G4Power Mac G3Power MacintoshCompact MacintoshMacBook NeoMacBook Pro (Apple silicon)MacBook Air (Apple silicon)MacBook Air (Apple silicon)MacBook Pro (Apple silicon)MacBook Pro (Apple silicon)MacBook Pro (Apple silicon)MacBook Air (Apple silicon)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Air (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)12-inch MacBookMacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Air (Intel-based)MacBook Air (Intel-based)MacBook (2006–2012)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook (2006–2012)MacBook Air (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook (2006–2012)PowerBook G4PowerBook G4PowerBook G4iBook G4iBook G4PowerBook G4iBook (white)iBook (white)iBook ClamshelliBook ClamshellPowerBook G3PowerBook G3PowerBook G3PowerBook 3400cPowerBook 1400PowerBook 2400cPowerBook 500 seriesPowerBook 5300PowerBook 190PowerBook DuoPowerBook 500 seriesPowerBook 500 seriesPowerBook 500 seriesPowerBook 500 seriesPowerBook 150PowerBook DuoPowerBook DuoPowerBook 160PowerBook 140PowerBook DuoPowerBook DuoPowerBook 180PowerBook 180PowerBook 160PowerBook 160PowerBook 140PowerBook Duo 230PowerBook Duo 210PowerBook 170PowerBook 140PowerBook 100Macintosh Portable
See also: List of Mac models

Notes

[edit]
  1. ↑ The first Mac to use an A-series SoC was the Developer Transition Kit, which used the Apple A12Z Bionic and was available only to developers during the transition to Apple silicon.[20]

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 "Say hello to MacBook Neo". Apple Newsroom (Press release). Apple Inc. March 4, 2026. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Larsen, Luke (March 4, 2026). "The Colorful MacBook Neo Is Apple's Cheapest Laptop Ever". Wired. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  3. ↑ Owen, Malcolm (March 4, 2026). "MacBook Neo is Apple's new entry-level notebook". AppleInsider. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  4. ↑ Ulanoff, Lance (March 4, 2026). "Apple is ready to fulfill your MacBook Neo desires — on demand, the name and more". TechRadar. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  5. ↑ Haslam, Karen (July 14, 2025). "Students can save $$$ at Apple's Education Store, here's how". Macworld. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 Faulkner, Cameron (March 4, 2026). "Here's where you can preorder Apple's budget-friendly MacBook Neo". The Verge. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  7. ↑ Rossignol, Joe (June 25, 2026). "Apple Just Raised the Price of the MacBook Neo". MacRumors. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  8. ↑ Charlton, Hartley (June 25, 2026). "Apple Just Increased Prices on MacBooks, iPads, and More". MacRumors. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  9. ↑ Cross, Jason (April 12, 2026). "How Apple turned 'binned' chips into its most formidable weapon". Macworld. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  10. ↑ Lovejoy, Ben (May 18, 2026). "Apple's faulty chips are big business for the company – here's how". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on May 19, 2026. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  11. ↑ Mayo, Benjamin (May 7, 2026). "Report: Apple kicks off new run of A18 Pro chips as MacBook Neo demand exceeds expectations". 9to5Mac. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  12. ↑ Culpan, Tim (May 6, 2026). "Apple Doubles MacBook Neo Production, Orders Fresh Batch of Chips". www.culpium.com. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  13. 1 2 3 Ojeda-Zapata, Julio; Engst, Adam (March 4, 2026). "The MacBook Neo's Carefully Considered Compromises". TidBITS. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  14. ↑ Orr, Andrew. "MacBook Neo proves Apple can build a $599 laptop without cheapening the Mac". AppleInsider. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  15. ↑ Lovejoy, Ben (March 9, 2026). "These new manufacturing processes are good for Apple and the environment". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on March 10, 2026. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  16. ↑ Hardawar, Devindra; Ingraham, Nathan (March 4, 2026). "The $599 MacBook Neo is Apple's cheapest Mac laptop yet". Engadget. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  17. 1 2 3 Charlton, Hartley (March 4, 2026). "Apple Announces $599 'MacBook Neo' With A18 Pro Chip". MacRumors. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  18. ↑ Cunningham, Andrew (March 4, 2026). "The $599 MacBook Neo is Apple's long-awaited colorful, lower-cost MacBook". Ars Technica. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  19. ↑ Hardwick, Tim (March 5, 2026). "MacBook Neo Compatible With New Studio Displays, But There's a Catch". MacRumors. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  20. ↑ Welch, Chris (June 22, 2020). "Apple announces Mac mini powered by its own chips for developers". The Verge. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  21. ↑ Osthoff, Andreas (March 11, 2026). "Apple's MacBook Neo has arrived – Our initial impressions of the $599 MacBook". NotebookCheck. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  22. 1 2 Vivek, Vikhyaat (March 6, 2026). "Apple's budget MacBook Neo is already outrunning the M1 MacBook Air in early tests". Digital Trends. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  23. ↑ Mendes, Marcus (March 10, 2026). "Photographer Tyler Stalman tests the MacBook Neo with pro photo and video workflows". 9to5Mac. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  24. 1 2 Chamberlain, Elizabeth (March 13, 2026). "MacBook Neo Is the Most Repairable MacBook in 14 Years". iFixit. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  25. ↑
  26. ↑ Di Benedetto, Antonio G. (March 10, 2026). "MacBook Neo review: the Mac for the masses". The Verge. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  27. ↑ Loyola, Roman (March 11, 2026). "Can MacBook Neo charge faster with a better power adapter? It's complicated". Macworld. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
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