HomeTechnologyThe Neo Effect: How Apple’s cheapest Mac is changing the PC game

The Neo Effect: How Apple’s cheapest Mac is changing the PC game

TechnologyApril 8, 2026
3 min read
The Neo Effect: How Apple’s cheapest Mac is changing the PC game
The MacBook Neo is disrupting the laptop space and putting Apple into the conversation as a value option like it’s never been before. With a price starting at $599 (or $499 for students and teachers),
A photo of a person using a laptop with their feet propped up on a window. This thing is poised to eat their lunch. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

The MacBook Neo is disrupting the laptop space and putting Apple into the conversation as a value option like it’s never been before. With a price starting at $599 (or $499 for students and teachers), the colorful laptop’s A18 Pro chip may be stolen from older iPads and iPhones, but it offers more than enough performance for everyday tasks and web browsing.

From the screen sharpness, trackpad/keyboard feel, and its aluminum build, everything else about it is in line with more expensive MacBooks.

And that means PC makers have a hot new competitor to contend with and adapt to — one that they weren’t ready for. Here’s all the news and analysis of Apple’s Mac for the masses.

  • A MacBook Neo heatsink mod dramatically improves its gaming performance.
  • I’m testing the MacBook Neo’s competition. What do you want to know?
  • A simple mod with a sliver of thermal pad boosts the MacBook Neo’s performance.
  • Upgrading the MacBook Neo’s storage is satisfying ASMR, but don’t try this at home.
  • iFixit calls the Neo Apple’s “most repairable MacBook in 14 Years.”
  • The MacBook Neo is a winner
  • PC makers are not ready for the MacBook Neo
  • The MacBook Neo is surprisingly easy to disassemble and repair.
  • Pro videographer finds the MacBook Neo more capable than expected.
  • Here’s where you can buy Apple’s budget-friendly MacBook Neo
  • I reviewed the MacBook Neo, ask me anything
  • MacBook Neo review: the Mac for the masses
  • Preorders for Apple’s colorful MacBook Neo come with a $25 gift card
  • MacBook Neo versus an old MacBook Air: good luck
  • Apple launches $599 MacBook Neo powered by an iPhone chip
  • Our first hands-on look at Apple’s MacBook Neo
  • Apple’s website leaks MacBook ‘Neo,’ which could be its new cheaper laptop
  • Apple helped kill netbooks. Will it bring them back?
  • Bring back the iBook, you cowards
  • Apple is reportedly working on a cheaper Mac laptop with an iPhone chip
  • A MacBook with an iPhone chip.

Source: The Verge

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