Apple has introduced a new entry-level laptop — MacBook Neo, expanding its Mac lineup with a lower-priced device aimed at students, families, and first-time Mac users.
The device is now available for pre-order, with sales expected to begin on March 11, according to the company. The announcement comes a few days after launching iPhone 17e and a new iPad Air.
Apple expands its lower-cost Mac lineup
The new model features a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, an aluminium body, and runs on A18 Pro, Apple’s latest chip designed for performance and energy efficiency.
Apple said the laptop is built to handle everyday tasks such as web browsing, video streaming, document editing, and photo work. The company claims the device can run common workloads faster than many PCs in the same category and can also handle certain artificial intelligence features locally on the device.
According to the company, the laptop can deliver up to 16 hours of battery life, allowing users to work or stream content for most of the day without charging.
Design and display
The MacBook Neo uses an aluminium enclosure and weighs about 2.7 pounds, making it designed for portability. Apple is offering the laptop in four colours: silver, blush, indigo, and citrus.
The 13-inch display has a resolution of 2408 by 1506 pixels, with support for 1 billion colours and up to 500 nits of brightness, according to Apple.
Performance and AI features
The device is powered by the A18 Pro chip, which includes a 5-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine.
These components allow the laptop to run machine-learning tasks and other AI-powered features directly on the device without relying on cloud processing.
Apple said the system is also fanless, meaning it operates silently without an internal cooling fan.
Keyboard, camera and connectivity
MacBook Neo includes Apple’s Magic Keyboard and a large Multi-Touch trackpad. Some laptop models also include Touch ID, allowing users to unlock the device or approve payments with Apple Pay.
The laptop also features a 1080p FaceTime camera, dual microphones designed to reduce background noise, and speakers that support Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos.
For connectivity, the device includes two USB-C ports, a headphone jack, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 6 support.
Software and ecosystem
The laptop runs on macOS Tahoe, which includes Apple’s built-in apps such as Safari, Messages, Photos, and FaceTime.
It also integrates with the broader Apple ecosystem, allowing users to move tasks between an iPhone and a Mac using features such as Handoff, Universal Clipboard, and iPhone mirroring.
Apple also said the laptop was designed with environmental considerations, including the use of recycled materials in its aluminium body and battery components.
