London : Apple has unveiled the new MacBook Neo, a budget-friendly laptop that still carries the premium design Apple is known for. The device was showcased during the company’s recent Apple Event, offering a more affordable entry into the MacBook lineup.
Premium Design Despite Lower Price
At first glance, the MacBook Neo looks very similar to the MacBook Air, featuring Apple’s signature aluminum finish. The silver model in particular closely resembles the MacBook Air, making it difficult for many users to distinguish between the two.
The laptop also comes in several new color options including indigo, silver, and citrus, giving users more choice than previous budget Mac models.
Mechanical Trackpad Instead of Haptic
One of the biggest differences in the MacBook Neo is its mechanical trackpad. Unlike the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models that use haptic feedback to simulate clicks, the Neo’s trackpad physically moves when pressed. However, users can still click anywhere on the pad similar to Apple’s modern haptic trackpads.
Performance with A18 Pro Chip
The MacBook Neo is powered by a modified version of the Apple A18 Pro chip, originally used in the iPhone 16 Pro. The laptop includes 8GB of RAM, which handles everyday applications smoothly, though heavier professional workloads may push the limits of the memory.
The chip in the Neo features five-core graphics, slightly reduced from the six-core GPU in the iPhone version.
Display and Features
The laptop features a 13-inch LED display with a resolution of 2408 × 1506 pixels and brightness up to 500 nits, offering clear visuals even in bright environments. However, early impressions suggest the dual side-firing speakers may not match the audio quality of higher-end MacBook models.
The device includes two USB ports, though they are different types, which could be slightly inconvenient for some users despite both supporting charging.
Pricing and Variants
Apple is offering two versions of the MacBook Neo:256GB model – starts at $699 but does not include Touch ID 512GB model – costs $100 more and includes Touch ID support
