Apple Launches $599 MacBook Neo

Apple has released a MacBook priced at $599, breaking its usual price limits. This MacBook Neo model uses the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro, and Apple claims it delivers up to 50% faster performance compared to Intel-based Windows laptops. The Neo model, introduced simultaneously at events in New York, London, and Shanghai today, is the first Apple laptop priced under $600, setting a new benchmark in pricing.

The base MacBook Neo model starts at $599 with 256GB storage and 8GB RAM, while the version with 512GB storage and a Touch ID keyboard is available for $699. For educational users, prices drop to $499 and $599 respectively. This offers students who previously faced starting MacBook prices of $1,099 a more affordable option to own an Apple MacBook.

The A18 Pro chip includes two performance cores, four efficiency cores, a 5-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. Although originally designed for mobile devices, Apple states it performs daily tasks like web browsing faster than PCs with Intel Core Ultra 5 processors. AI-intensive tasks run three times faster compared to competing systems.

To achieve this price point, Apple made some compromises. The $599 model lacks a backlit keyboard and Touch ID, which are only available on the $699 version. Charging is done via dual USB-C ports, and the higher-end MagSafe ports found on premium MacBook models are absent.

The display features a 13-inch Liquid Retina panel with a resolution of 2408 × 1506, supporting over a billion colors and 500 nits brightness. Apple claims this display is brighter and sharper than many PC laptops in this price range. According to Apple’s tests, the battery life lasts up to 16 hours on a single charge.

The Neo model is available in four colors: Silver, Blush (light pink), Indigo (blue), and Citrus (yellow), marking Apple’s first colorful laptop lineup, reminiscent of the original iBooks. Pre-orders have started, with initial shipments scheduled for March 11 in over 30 countries. Due to its lower price compared to Windows laptops, critics warn that budget Windows laptops may face obsolescence by 2028.