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Apple Launches $599 MacBook Neo With A18 Pro Chip

Apple targets students with $499 education pricing, with deliveries beginning March 11.

Overview

  • The Neo is the first Mac to use an iPhone‑class A18 Pro, with a 6‑core CPU, a binned 5‑core GPU, and a 16‑core Neural Engine.
  • Memory is fixed at 8GB of unified RAM, with 256GB base storage or a single $100 upgrade to 512GB that also adds Touch ID.
  • Connectivity is pared back to two USB‑C ports—one USB 3 (10 Gbps) and one USB 2 (480 Mb/s)—plus a headphone jack, with no MagSafe or Thunderbolt and support for one external 4K/60Hz display.
  • The 13‑inch 2408×1506 display hits 500 nits but is sRGB only with no True Tone, paired with a 1080p webcam, Wi‑Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6, and up to 16 hours of battery life from a 36.5Wh battery with a 20W charger.
  • Preorders opened March 4 in four colors—blush, indigo, citrus, and silver—as Apple touts speed gains over Intel Core Ultra 5 PCs that outlets note require independent testing.