Overview
- Apple's MacBook Neo starts at $599 (or $499 for students) and pairs an A18 Pro chip with 8GB of memory, a 13-inch 500-nit display, and 256GB to 512GB of storage.
- Hands-on testing reports smooth performance for common workloads such as dozens of browser tabs, Slack, photo edits, and document editing, with battery life reported up to 16 hours.
- Asus CFO Nick Wu said the Neo "feels more like a tablet" focused on content consumption, a characterization reviewers reject as the device runs full macOS 26 with strong multitasking.
- Critics note the fixed 8GB RAM could limit heavier programming or local AI experiments, even as day-to-day productivity remains solid at this price.
- The Neo goes head-to-head with the iPad Air M4 at the same entry price, with the iPad offering touch and stylus workflows and 12GB of memory, while the Neo provides a traditional laptop experience without add-on keyboards.