MacBook Neo | Photo Credit: Ashwin Rajagopalan

There’s a Steve Jobs clip from the first iPad launch in 2010 that is seeing a lot of views over the past few weeks, coinciding with one of Apple’s most significant launches of 2026. The MacBook Neo was the laptop we never thought Apple would make. A lot has changed since Steve Jobs mocked cheap laptops and Netbooks (that had their moment between the late 2000s and early 2010s) in that clip — Apple didn’t make its own laptop chips back then. The MacBook Neo is one of the boldest moves we’ve seen from Apple but like most things Apple, this is a calculated gamble. A MacBook that doesn’t cut too many corners in its quest to open up a whole new market segment for Apple and a laptop that’s likely to shake things up. Here’s why:

Design

The Neo will please those who are looking for an ultra-portable laptop. It’s almost a perfect meeting place between the M1 MacBook Air and Pro design aesthetic. The Neo’s design feels like a “greatest hits” compilation of Apple’s hardware history. The screen bezels evoke a classic unibody MacBook Pro sensibility, while the rounded chassis echoes the modern, post-M1 MacBook Air aesthetic. Apple’s decision to go with an aluminium chassis (and a range of colours) sets this apart in a market filled with plastic laptops that are more prone to creaking and hinge failure. It’s a joy to be able to open this laptop with a single finger. The Neo also scores with its durability and repairability. iFixit rated the Neo as the most repairable Apple laptop in over a decade. The Neo replaces glue with screws for the battery and keyboard.

The typing experience is anchored by a 78-key (ANSI) or 79-key (ISO) layout, featuring a welcome row of 12 full-height function keys. However, the “base model blues” are real here: the 8/256 GB SKU omits the Touch ID sensor, a convenience reserved exclusively for the 8/512 GB tier. If you’re moving from an older MacBook, you’re likely to miss the illuminated keys. The total absence of keyboard backlighting is a miss especially for students and professionals who pull late-night sessions in dim environments.

Connectivity is concentrated entirely on the left side, housing two USB-C ports and a 3.5mm combo jack alongside a side-firing speaker grille. A matching speaker grille is the only occupant of the right side of the laptop. A complete lack of ports on the right side can take some time getting used to, especially for first time MacBook users. The Multi-Touch trackpad is distinct from the haptic “Force Touch” glass surfaces seen on MacBook Air and Pro models over the last decade. Instead, it opts for a traditional physical clicking mechanism. While it lacks that high-end haptic feel, it remains a far superior option compared to the flimsy plastic trackpads found on many Windows competitors in this price bracket. Every press on the trackpad surface yields a reassuring metallic click, and the cursor precision remains top-tier, ensuring the Neo still feels like a premium tool during daily usage.

Performance

Can a chip that we first experienced in a mobile phone power a laptop? That was one of the talking points when Apple announced that the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro would power the MacBook Neo. The MacBook Neo packs surprising power into its 13-inch frame; in everyday terms, it’s a “mobile-first” heart beating inside a “laptop” body running MacOS and the results are impressive.

With a Geekbench 6 single-core score of 3,450 and a multi-core score of 7,993, the Neo feels incredibly snappy for daily tasks. Its Metal score of 30,636 effectively puts its graphics performance on par with the original M1 MacBook Air. For the average user, this means you’re getting proven, reliable laptop power in a device that stays cool and efficient— demonstrating that a smartphone chip can more than hold its own in a professional notebook setup. In real-world testing, the Neo is quite capable. It managed a heavy multitasking load of 20–25 Chrome tabs including YouTube , Canva, Teams and a few other tabs—alongside a DaVinci Resolve editing session.

While we noticed some background tab refreshing in Chrome, the machine handled a 2-minute 4K timeline with light graphics in DaVinci Resolve smoothly. It exported a 2-minute 4K clip in 1 minute and 18 seconds (extending to only 1:22 with graphics). More importantly, the playback remained fluid despite a random frame drop which is surprising for a “non-pro” machine operating on limited memory. For document editing and marathon streaming sessions, 8GB of RAM is more than sufficient. However, power users will likely feel the ceiling quickly.

The Neo allows you to take advantage of Apple Intelligence tools and yet the 8GB of RAM seems a misstep in terms of long-term usage. The Neo is available in two configurations: 8/256 GB and 8/512 GB. Heavy duty users might need cloud storage or an external SSD. The 13-inch LED display (2408 x 1506 pixels / 219 PPI) hits a peak brightness of 500 nits. Colours are vibrant, this is a great binge-watch screen. I watched an episode of Slow Horses on Apple TV+ and the Neo impressed with its crisp visuals.

Verdict

The MacBook Neo is one of the best laptops you can buy for under ₹70,000 (Students can buy it at ₹59,900), an entry-level MacBook done right. We like the premium build and the form factor as well as the immersive display. While a lot of focus has been on students, we think the Neo is also a great option for professionals who need to make an impression at a client meeting. It packs enough fire power for most users with a smooth multi-tasking experience, we’d recommend this over an iPad for anyone whose workflows revolve more around Content creation. While the limited RAM and lack of a backlit keyboard are among the downsides, it’s packed with more hits than misses. You get the best of Apple’s Mac OS and a battery that won’t let you down, making it a perfect option for first time Mac users.

Price: ₹69,900 onwards

Pros: Premium design and build, dependable battery, lightweight form, vibrant display

Cons: Only 8GB of RAM, No backlit keyboard

Published on March 25, 2026