Apple Launches MacBook Neo with A18 Pro at $599

Apple has taken a bold step into the budget laptop arena with the official launch of the MacBook Neo, marking its most affordable MacBook ever and broadening the company’s reach beyond its traditional premium-tier machines. The announcement comes as Apple continues to refresh its lineup with products aimed at a wider range of users.

Priced from $599 in the U.S. (and ₹69,900 in India), the MacBook Neo targets students, first-time buyers, and anyone seeking a capable everyday machine without breaking the bank. Education customers can secure an even lower price — around $499 — making it an especially compelling choice for schools and learners. 

Under the hood, the Neo is powered by Apple’s A18 Pro chip, the same silicon first introduced in the iPhone 16 Pro. This enables solid performance for general tasks like web browsing, streaming, and basic creative work, while also accelerating on-device AI and photo editing. The laptop promises up to 16 hours of battery life, helping it last through a full day of use on a single charge.

The device features a 13-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2408 × 1506 pixels and 500 nits of brightness, producing crisp visuals and support for a wide range of colors. Despite its lower price point, the Neo includes thoughtful touches such as a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, dual side-firing speakers with Spatial Audio, and a Magic Keyboard with a large Multi-Touch trackpad. macOS Tahoe comes preloaded with built-in apps and support for Apple Intelligence features.

Connectivity is practical and straightforward, with two USB-C ports and a headphone jack, along with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 6. The MacBook Neo also stands out for its environmentally conscious design, using 60 % recycled materials by weight — more than any other Apple product to date.

Available to pre-order now with shipments beginning March 11, the MacBook Neo represents Apple’s effort to offer a more accessible entry into the Mac ecosystem while still delivering the core elements that define its user experience.