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MacBook Neo Runs AAA Games at Playable Speeds as $599 Laptop Sells Out

Independent tests show Cyberpunk 2077 is playable when resolution is lowered and upscaling is used.

Overview

  • YouTuber ETA Prime recorded around 40 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 on the MacBook Neo at 1204×753, upscaled from 708×443.
  • The same testing saw Shadow of the Tomb Raider and RoboCop: Rogue City in the low‑40s FPS at 1280×720 with upscaling, while lighter titles like Hades 2, Drive Rally, and Roblox hit 60 FPS at 2816×1762 and others required much lower resolutions.
  • Tom’s Hardware measured 33 FPS using Cyberpunk 2077’s built‑in benchmark, highlighting differences between test methods and real‑play results.
  • The Neo uses an iPhone‑class A18 Pro chip with fixed 8GB unified memory and limited I/O, reflecting design trade‑offs for an entry‑level Mac.
  • Apple says the Neo delivered its best launch week for first‑time Mac buyers and is currently shipping in two to three weeks, with Asus’s co‑CEO calling the affordable Mac a shock and likening it to a content‑consumption device; education pricing cuts the sticker to under $500.