Apple has unveiled the MacBook Neo, its cheapest laptop ever, with a starting price of $599. The new device, based on the processor architecture known from iPhones, aims to capture the market segment previously dominated by cheap Windows computers and Chromebooks. This model stands out with its colorful casing and high build quality, despite numerous technical compromises necessary to achieve such a low price.

Historically low price

A starting price of $599 is a record low threshold for new Apple laptops.

Attack on the Windows segment

The device is intended to directly compete with cheap PCs and Chromebooks.

Components from the iPhone

The use of mobile architecture allowed for a reduction in the device's production costs.

During its March conference, Apple announced the introduction of the MacBook Neo, which becomes the most affordable portable computer in the company's lineup. The device is priced at $599, and for the education sector, this price drops to $499. In Europe, the laptop is expected to cost around €699. This is a strategic move by the Cupertino-based corporation, aiming for aggressive expansion into the budget computer sector, where Apple has been almost absent until now due to the high prices of its Air and Pro models. The MacBook Neo becomes a direct competitor to Windows PCs and Chromebooks popular in education. The construction of the MacBook Neo is based on specific technical assumptions. It utilizes chipsets similar to those used in iPhones, which allowed for reduced production costs while maintaining performance sufficient for everyday tasks. The laptop offers 256 GB of storage and is available in a rich color palette, intended to attract younger users. However, experts note that the low price forced some concessions. Compared to the $500 more expensive MacBook Air M5 model, the Neo version has a screen with lower brightness and contrast parameters, fewer ports, and limited multitasking capabilities resulting from the processor architecture. Nevertheless, initial reviews indicate that Apple's legendary build quality has been maintained. Historically, Apple has positioned its computers as premium products, avoiding price wars in the category below $1000. An exception was the MacBook Air model, which over time became the standard for ultraportable laptops, but never dropped to the price level of budget devices. The introduction of the MacBook Neo calls into question the future of the iPad Air as a work device. With macOS on board, Apple's new project suggests that the company intends to maintain a clear division between tablet-centric iPadOS and desktop macOS, offering the latter at a price previously reserved for higher-end tablet models. This strategy may lead to cannibalization of its own product sales, but in the broader perspective, it allows Apple to fight for market share during a global price crisis for components such as memory chips. „We wanted something that felt fun and friendly, and fresh, and felt like it really suited the spirit of this product” — Apple Representative Market analysts predict that the MacBook Neo will become a sales hit, especially in emerging markets and in education. It is Apple's first mobile device that so clearly blurs the lines between smartphone architecture and a full-fledged personal computer. While it may prove too weak for professionals, for the average user looking for reliable and cheap hardware within the Apple ecosystem, it represents the most attractive offer in years.

Mentioned People

  • Tim Cook — CEO of Apple, under whose leadership the most affordable devices in the company's history have been introduced.