MacBook Neo Reviews: Apple's $599 Laptop Delivers Big Value [Video]

Apple's new $599 MacBook Neo is now available to pre-order, and the first wave of reviews has arrived. Early impressions suggest Apple may have created one of the most compelling budget laptops on the market.

Powered by the A18 Pro chip, the new MacBook Neo brings Apple silicon performance to a much lower price point than previous Macs. The laptop features a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, fanless design, aluminum enclosure, and up to 16 hours of battery life.


Apple unveiled the new device earlier this month — you can read more about the announcement here.

For those looking to buy one, the MacBook Neo is now available to pre-order:
Pre-order MacBook Neo on Amazon




Below are some highlights from the first major reviews.

The Verge
"The Neo takes its place as Apple's cheapest laptop, with a starting price of $599 and enough power to handle everyday tasks and last all day on a charge."


"It's designed to entice students and first-time laptop buyers into Apple's world. It will."

Read the full review here.

Ars Technica
"8GB of RAM is a bummer, but this $599 laptop cuts most of the right corners."

"I suspect the MacBook Neo will become a common coffee shop companion."

Read the full review here.

Tom's Guide
"The MacBook Neo redefines the value laptop at $599. You get a premium aluminum design, bright display and solid A18 Pro performance, plus stellar battery life."

"But overall no other laptop comes close to the Neo in terms of bang for your buck."

Read the full review here.

Bloomberg
"The $599 MacBook Neo proves that it's possible to make a laptop that stays true to Apple's reputation for craftsmanship, performance and reliability — even at roughly half the price of the popular MacBook Air."

"By reaching that price point, the company is opening up macOS to a completely new market of first-time buyers."

Read the full review here.



Macworld
"The MacBook Neo is, in every sense, a MacBook."

"It might cost a fraction of what Apple charges for the MacBook Pro, but it's not a letdown; it's a delight."

Read the full review here.

Stuff
"The MacBook Neo's compromises just aren't issues for the vast majority of users and as such what is on offer here is an absolutely bargainous no-brainer."

"The look and feel is probably the biggest triumph – it has the same aluminium finish that you'd expect from a MacBook Air."

Read the full review here.

Wired
"For the most part, Apple cut corners in the right places and made a MacBook its intended buyers will adore."

"Outside of a couple of missteps, the MacBook Neo is a true budget laptop, done the right way."

Read the full review here.

CNET
"Premium MacBook look and feel at much lower cost."

"A18 Pro chip is powerful enough to provide fulfilling macOS experience."

Read the full review here.




Summary
Across the board, reviewers agree that MacBook Neo delivers exceptional value for the price. Many praise its aluminum design, bright display, and surprisingly capable A18 Pro performance for everyday tasks.

The biggest compromises noted by reviewers include the base 8GB of memory, slower USB-C ports, and missing features like Thunderbolt or a backlit keyboard. Still, most conclude these trade-offs are reasonable given the $599 starting price.

If you're considering the new model, you can compare it to Apple's other laptop here:
MacBook Neo vs MacBook Air: Which Laptop Should You Buy?

You can also download the official wallpapers here:
Download the MacBook Neo Wallpapers

For current Mac pricing and deals, check out our tracker:
Mac Price Tracker