Apple launches $599 MacBook Neo powered by an iPhone chip

Apple just announced a new entry-level MacBook that runs on the same A18 Pro chip that launched two years ago in its iPhone 16 lineup and starts at $599. The MacBook Neo features a 13-inch (2408 x 1506) display, 8GB of RAM, 256GB or 512GB of storage, a Magic Keyboard, multi-touch trackpad, 1080p camera, two USB-C ports (one USB 3 and one USB 2), a headphone jack, and new side-firing speakers with support for spatial audio and Dolby Atmos.

It’s available in four colors: silver, indigo, blush, and citrus, each with a color-matched keyboard.

There are some tradeoffs for the lower price, like the 8GB of RAM that doesn’t include an option to upgrade. Additionally, while the 512GB model includes a Touch ID sensor, the 256GB model does not. Neither model includes Thunderbolt ports or MagSafe. The Neo also ships with a 20W charger and does not appear to support fast-charging like the more expensive MacBook Air.

The $599 starting price on the Neo fills a price slot held by older M-series MacBooks in recent years, competing with Windows and ChromeOS models. Earlier this week, Apple announced that the cheapest M5 MacBook Air will start at $1,099 with 512GB of storage. With the new Air’s $100 bump over the previous model’s starting price, there’s a widening gap between the Neo and other laptops in Apple’s lineup.