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MacBook Neo Drives Record First-Time Mac Launch Week as Orders Slip Weeks Out

Apple’s $599 entry laptop uses an A18 Pro chip with 8GB memory to court first-time buyers.

Overview

  • Tim Cook said Mac just had its best launch week ever for first-time customers following the Neo’s release.
  • Apple’s online store shows new MacBook Neo orders shipping in about two to three weeks, with some deliveries pushed into April.
  • Independent tests report playable AAA gaming, with Cyberpunk 2077 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider running around 30–42 FPS using lower resolutions and upscaling.
  • Early reviews praise the Neo’s value and build quality at $599 while flagging fixed 8GB RAM, limited storage options, and pared-back I/O as key trade-offs.
  • Industry reaction notes potential disruption to sub-$600 PCs, and Apple’s education pricing cuts the Neo to $499 for eligible buyers.