Apple's new entry-level MacBook Neo, powered by the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro, offers a compelling package at a starting price of £599. The 13in laptop shares design DNA with the MacBook Air and Pro, featuring a quality aluminium body and sleek lines, but is slightly thicker and smaller.
The display is crisp with 500 nits brightness, though it lacks True Tone technology. The keyboard and mechanical trackpad are best-in-class, with the trackpad outperforming typical Windows and Chromebook offerings. However, the base model omits Touch ID, which is only available on the higher storage tier costing an extra £100.
Performance is snappy for everyday tasks and light photo or video editing, thanks to the A18 Pro chip and 8GB of memory. Battery life is excellent at around 13 hours of mixed use. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6, and two USB-C ports, but only one supports USB 3 and monitor output, with no Thunderbolt support.
The Neo runs macOS 26 Tahoe and comes with Apple's suite of free apps, including Pages, Numbers, and iMovie. While it lacks some high-end features, the MacBook Neo delivers a premium experience at a budget price, challenging the PC industry.
