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MacBook Neo Review: Near-Perfect Starter Mac Only Misses Out on One Key Feature
Apple’s $599 MacBook Neo uses the iPhone 16 Pro’s A18 Pro chip, offers 16 hours of video streaming, and targets students and budget buyers with a premium build but trimmed features.
- Apple introduced the MacBook Neo last week, a 13-inch laptop powered by the A18 Pro chip, starting at $599 with a $499 education price and a $699 higher tier, shipping March 11.
- Last week, Apple designed the Neo to target students and iPhone users, deliberately trading features for cost savings to create a more affordable MacBook entry into the Apple ecosystem.
- The Neo ships with 8GB unified memory and 256GB SSD , two USB-C ports: one USB 3 and one USB 2 , and supports one display at 4K/60Hz.
- Early coverage suggests reviewers praise the MacBook Neo's value and say it outclasses many $600 Windows competitors, including Mashable, Engadget, and CNET.
- Questions remain about A18 Pro longevity and upgradeability concerns, while its limitations in gaming and graphics workloads lead some reviewers to suggest a refurbished M1 MacBook Air.
42 Articles
42 Articles
MacBook Neo Has Up to 8× Slower SSD Speeds Compared to New MacBook Pro
While the MacBook Neo achieves a breakthrough $599 starting price, that of course comes with some compromises, and one of them is slower SSD speeds. The Verge today said the MacBook Neo had up to 8× slower sustained SSD read and write speeds in a benchmark test compared to the new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. The site did not mention which tool it used to measure SSD speeds, but it was likely Blackmagic's Disk Speed Test or A…
Early reviews say the MacBook Neo redefines the budget laptop
Apple's $599 MacBook Neo arrives with a premium aluminum build, bright display, solid A18 Pro performance, and battery life that punches well above its price. Reviewers largely agree it resets expectations for what a budget laptop can be, despite the evident trade-offs that remind you how Apple kept costs down. Don't miss our editorial on the Neo for insight into the industry implications beyond the device itself.Read Entire Article
MacBook Neo review: niceness on a budget
For over 40 years, “Mac vs. PC” has been technology’s most iconic rivalry. Yet in many ways, it’s been an indirect one. Apple, being Apple, has mostly stuck to computers with four-digit price tags—a rarefied territory where it can make the products it wants to make, not just the ones a given price point allows. Meanwhile, one of the best things about Windows PCs is that there’s something for everyone, including folks who don’t have a ton of mone…
I reviewed the MacBook Neo, ask me anything
These colors make me thirsty for some reason. Thirsty for questions, perhaps??? | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge It's MacBook Neo review day, so let's talk Apple's new $599 laptop. I'm going to host another AMA for Verge subscribers today at 11AM PT / 2PM ET. Like last time, it'll all take place in the comments section of this post. What do you want to know about the MacBook Neo? I've got the "blush" pink one on hand right now, and…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 52% of the sources lean Left
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