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M5 MacBook Air Earns Near‑Pro Scores as Deals and $599 MacBook Neo Upend Buying Choices

Reviewers urge buyers to weigh steep M3/M4 discounts given the Air’s higher $1,099 entry.

Overview

  • The new MacBook Air posted 16,099 multi‑core and 4,025 single‑core in Geekbench 6 testing, with Mashable calling its M5 performance effectively MacBook Pro‑class in a fanless design.
  • Apple raised the Air’s base to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage at $1,099, and early retail pricing already shows $50 off to $1,049 on Amazon.
  • 9to5Mac says the $599 MacBook Neo ($499 for students) feels premium and undercuts the Air and iPad Air value propositions, with Touch ID and 512GB available via a $100 upgrade.
  • Deal coverage highlights a 15‑inch M4 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB, Midnight) at $1,079 on Amazon, a configuration‑specific offer limited to that finish.
  • A refurbished 2017 MacBook Air is advertised at $199.97 through March 22, underscoring deep secondary‑market options alongside new and recent models.