MacBook Neo

Last updated

MacBook Neo
MacBook Neo (logo).svg
Developer Apple
Product family MacBook
Type Laptop
ReleasedMarch 11, 2026(4 days' time) (2026-03-11)
Operating system macOS
System on a chip A18 Pro
Related
Website apple.com/macbook-neo

The MacBook Neo is aMac notebook developed and manufactured by Apple. It is the first production Mac to use an A-series chip rather than the M-series chips found in other Apple silicon Macs. The MacBook Neo is positioned as the entry-level MacBook, situated behind the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro respectively, and is targeted to low-end users and students. It was first announced on March 4, 2026, and is set to release on March 11, 2026. With a starting price of US$599, it is the most affordable laptop that Apple has ever sold.

Contents

Overview

Apple introduced the MacBook Neo as part of its March 2026 event on March 4, 2026. [1] The strategy behind the MacBook Neo centers on accessibility and affordability, which offers mainstream users and students a lower-cost option within the Mac ecosystem. [2] [3] The name "MacBook Neo" was given to fit the spirit of a fun and fresh device. [4]

The MacBook Neo is the most affordable laptop that Apple has ever introduced, with a starting price of $599, and priced at $499 for eligible education customers. Pre-orders began at launch, with general availability beginning on March 11, 2026. [2] [5]

The MacBook Neo features a 13-inch Liquid Retina display at a resolution of 2408 x 1506, and has two USB-C ports (one running at USB 3 speed with support for DisplayPort  1.4, and one running at USB 2 speed), a headphone jack, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth  6. [6] [5] It uses an Apple A18 Pro chip and has 8 GB of unified memory, shared between the six CPU cores (two performance, four efficiency) and five GPU cores. It is the first Mac released with an A series SoC rather than an M-series chip, since the transition to Apple silicon. [1] The 256 GB base model ships without Touch ID; the 512 GB model includes Touch ID. It can run one 4K display (such as Apple's original Studio Display, albeit at a downgraded 60 Hz). [7]

The MacBook Neo's name and model identifier (A3404) was accidentally revealed a day early by Apple when regulatory documents for the MacBook Neo were published on Apple's website. [8] [9]

Design

The MacBook Neo features an aluminum body design like the MacBook Air models, [10] a matching colored keyboard, dimensions similar to the one on the 12-inch MacBook, and a Liquid Retina display with black, uniform bezels. The 512 GB model includes Touch ID. [6]

The MacBook Neo is available in four colors: Silver, Blush, Citrus, and Indigo. [6] The Magic Keyboard is subtly color matched to the chassis. [11]

Technical specifications

Timeline

Timeline of portable Macintoshes
Mac transition to Apple siliconiMac ProApple WatchiPadiPhoneMac ProPower Mac G5Power Mac G4Power Mac G3Power MacintoshCompact MacintoshMacBook NeoMacBook Pro (Apple silicon)MacBook Pro (Apple silicon)MacBook Air (Apple silicon)MacBook Air (Apple silicon)MacBook Pro (Apple silicon)MacBook Pro (Apple silicon)MacBook Pro (Apple silicon)MacBook Air (Apple silicon)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Air (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)12-inch MacBookMacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Air (Intel-based)MacBook Air (Intel-based)MacBook (2006–2012)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook (2006–2012)MacBook Air (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook (2006–2012)PowerBook G4PowerBook G4PowerBook G4iBook G4iBook G4PowerBook G4iBook (white)iBook (white)iBook ClamshelliBook ClamshellPowerBook G3PowerBook G3PowerBook G3PowerBook 3400cPowerBook 1400PowerBook 2400cPowerBook 500 seriesPowerBook 5300PowerBook 190PowerBook DuoPowerBook 500 seriesPowerBook 500 seriesPowerBook 500 seriesPowerBook 500 seriesPowerBook 150PowerBook DuoPowerBook DuoPowerBook 180PowerBook 160PowerBook 140PowerBook DuoPowerBook DuoPowerBook 180PowerBook 160PowerBook 160PowerBook 140PowerBook Duo 230PowerBook Duo 210PowerBook 170PowerBook 140PowerBook 100Macintosh PortableMacBook Neo
See also: List of Mac models

References

  1. 1 2 "Say hello to MacBook Neo". Apple Newsroom (Press release). Apple Inc. March 4, 2026. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Larsen, Luke (March 4, 2026). "The Colorful MacBook Neo Is Apple's Cheapest Laptop Ever". Wired . Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  3. ↑ Owen, Malcolm (March 4, 2026). "MacBook Neo is Apple's new entry-level notebook". AppleInsider . Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Apple is ready to fulfill your MacBook Neo desires — on demand, the name and more". TechRadar. March 4, 2026. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  5. 1 2 Faulkner, Cameron (March 4, 2026). "Here's where you can preorder Apple's budget-friendly MacBook Neo". The Verge . Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 Charlton, Hartley (March 4, 2026). "Apple Announces $599 'MacBook Neo' With A18 Pro Chip". MacRumors . Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  7. ↑ Hardwick, Tim (March 5, 2026). "MacBook Neo Compatible With New Studio Displays, But There's a Catch". MacRumors. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  8. ↑ Rossignol, Joe (March 3, 2026). "Apple Accidentally Leaks 'MacBook Neo'". MacRumors . Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  9. ↑ Price, David (March 3, 2026). "Whoops! Apple accidentally reveals 'MacBook Neo'". Macworld . Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  10. ↑ Hardawar, Devindra; Ingraham, Nathan (March 4, 2026). "The $599 MacBook Neo is Apple's cheapest Mac laptop yet". Engadget . Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  11. ↑ Cunningham, Andrew (March 4, 2026). "The $599 MacBook Neo is Apple's long-awaited colorful, lower-cost MacBook". Ars Technica . Retrieved March 4, 2026.
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