Image: Foundry
Best MacBook Neo deals July 2026
These are the MacBook Neo recommendations we would confidently give to our own friends and family. They are based on the best prices right now at hundreds of resellers of Apple products.
U.S deal: $6 off MacBook Neo, 512GB at Amazon
U.K. deal: £93 off MacBook Neo, 512GB at Amazon
The MacBook Neo is Apple’s entry-level laptop, launched in March 2026 as the most affordable MacBook ever released. It offers A18 Pro performance, a 13-inch display, and up to 16 hours of battery life.
At launch the starting price was $599, but, unfortunately, Apple increased that price by $100 in June 2026. The MacBook Neo now starts at $699 for the 256GB model and $799 for the 512GB version, making genuine discounts harder to find. That’s where we come in. At Macworld, we continuously track MacBook Neo prices across major retailers, comparing them with Apple’s current pricing, previous list prices, and the lowest prices we’ve ever recorded. That means we can quickly identify which deals offer genuine value and which don’t.
Aside from education pricing (which takes $100 off the price of MacBook Neo), Apple rarely discounts it’s products directly. However, retailers in the U.S., U.K., and elsewhere regularly offer savings, particularly during major shopping events such as Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday, although worthwhile deals can appear throughout the year. Below, you’ll find the best MacBook Neo deals available right now, along with advice on where to buy one for the lowest price. We also explain which configuration offers the best value and whether the MacBook Neo is the right MacBook for your needs.
Best MacBook Neo deals July 2026
U.S. Deals
| MacBook Neo | Deal | New MSRP | Old MSRP | Lowest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A18-Pro, 256GB | $696 at Amazon | $699 | $599 | $589.99 |
| A18-Pro, 512GB | $793 at Amazon | $799 | $699 | $689.99 |
U.K. Deals
| MacBook Neo | Deal | New RRP | Old RRP | Lowest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A18-Pro, 256GB | £618 Get the deal at Amazon | £699 | £599 | £549 |
| A18-Pro, 512GB | £699.97 Get the deal at Amazon | £799 | £699 | £617.97 |
Is the MacBook Neo worth buying?
Foundry
The MacBook Neo is ideal if you want the cheapest possible MacBook while still getting Apple’s macOS.
Reasons to buy
- Affordable price
- Long battery life
- Lightweight design
Reasons to skip
- Limited RAM options
- Fewer ports
- Less powerful than MacBook Air
People are drawn to the MacBook Neo for several key reasons:
Affordability: The primary draw at launch was the breakthrough price point of $599, even now that price has risen to $699, it is $600 cheaper than the current M5 MacBook Air. This low entry price makes it a “golden ticket” for those who previously found MacBooks too expensive.
Premium Design and Build Quality: Despite its budget label, the Neo maintains Apple’s high manufacturing standards. It features an all-aluminum chassis with no plastic parts, a rarity for laptops at this price range. As our reviewer noted, it feels just as premium as a MacBook Air, avoiding the “cheap” feel of competing plastic PCs. It also comes in a variety of vibrant colors, including Indigo, Blush (pink), Citrus (yellow-green), and Silver.
Sufficient Performance for Everyday Tasks: While it uses a mobile-class processor, the A18 Pro’s efficiency allows it to handle general productivity with ease. You’ll be able to write documents, create spreadsheets, build presentations, visit websites, check email, manage your calendar, video conference with people, and a lot more with ease on the MacBook Neo
Seamless Ecosystem Integration: For the billions of iPhone users, the Neo offers a low-cost way to access the Apple ecosystem. It supports native integrations like iPhone Mirroring, Universal Clipboard, and iCloud sync. It allows users to “go all-in” on Apple – combining a Neo, iPhone 17e, and Apple Watch SE – for a total cost significantly lower than previous years.
Portability and Battery Life: At 2.7 pounds and 0.50 inches thick, the Neo is highly portable . While its battery life is lower than the Air or Pro models, it still offers up to 16 hours of video streaming or 11 hours of wireless web browsing, which is sufficient for a full day of school or general work.
Who should buy MacBook Neo
- Students and Schools: The $599 education price makes it a direct competitor to Chromebooks in the K-12 and college markets.
- First-Time Mac Buyers: It serves as an affordable “gateway” for iPhone users who want seamless integration (iCloud, AirDrop, iMessage) without spending $1,000+.
- Casual Users: Grandparents or anyone whose primary activities are web browsing, social media, and video calls.
- Secondary Device Owners: Pro users who want a lightweight, inexpensive laptop for travel or vacations.
Which MacBook Neo model should you buy? (256GB vs 512GB)
Foundry
The $699 Base Model
- Includes 256GB of storage
- Lacks Touch ID
- Best for students and light use
The $799 Model:
- Includes 512GB storage
- Adds Touch ID
- Better for storage-heavy users
Our recommendation: The 512GB MacBook Neo is the better buy for most people thanks to Touch ID and extra storage.
For more advice read: Best Mac: Every Apple Mac and MacBook compared.
MacBook Neo Limitations
What features re missing from MacBook Neo?
- No MagSafe charging
- No Thunderbolt ports
- Base model no Touch ID
- No backlit keyboard
Read about the MacBook Neo missing features.
Should you buy MacBook Neo or MacBook Air?
Eugen Wegmann
The Neo is positioned as Apple’s entry-level MacBook below the MacBook Air.
The 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models were recently updated with the M5 chip. They remain the top choice for most users because they balance performance, battery life, and a thin design
MacBook Neo vs MacBook Air
| Feature | MacBook Neo | MacBook Air |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $699 | $1,299 |
| Chip | A18 Pro | M5 |
| RAM | 8GB | 16GB |
| SSD | 256GB | 512GB |
| Battery | 16 hours | 18 hours |
| Screen size | 13-inch | 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch |
Also consider:
- MacBook Air deals
- MacBook Pro deals
- Best accessories for MacBook Neo
- MacBook Neo guide and latest news
The obvious place to buy a MacBook Neo is Apple, but it’s not necessarily the best.
One benefit of buying from Apple is you could trade in your old Mac and get money off. We have an article explaining How to get money off with Apple’s trade-in program.
Buying directly from Apple also means you’ll get:
- Full configuration options
- Trade-in discounts
- Student pricing
However, Apple rarely discounts Macs, so if you are looking for the best price you need to look elsewhere. Our price comparison tables will show the best prices for the two MacBook Neo models right now:
Apple, MacBook Neo, 256GB, MSRP: $699/£699 (was $599/£599)
Apple, MacBook Neo, 521GB, MSRP: $799/£799 (was $699/£699)
MacBook Neo price: What you should pay
The MacBook Neo starts at $699/£699, but deals can reduce the price depending on the retailer.
- Launch price: $599/£599
- New price: $699/£699
- Good deal: $649/£549
- Best deal: $589.99/£549 (Prime Day)
- Best seasonal deals: By Black Friday in November 2026 we could see prices drop to $529/£529 but we don’t expect them to go lower than that.
MacBook Neo FAQ
FAQ
1.
When was the MacBook Neo released?
March 2026.
2.
What chip does it use?
Apple A18 Pro.
3.
Why does MacBook Neo use an iPhone chip?
Apple uses an the A18 Pro chip, as first seen in the iPhone 16 for three main reasons:
- Price: Apple’s decision to use an iPhone-class processor in the MacBook Neo – specifically the A18 Pro – represents a strategic shift aimed at creating a high-quality, entry-level laptop at a breakthrough price point.
- Efficiency: Apple’s A-series chips are designed with the same fundamental architecture as the M-series Mac chips, making them uniquely suited for laptop tasks despite their mobile origins. This efficiency allows the Neo to handle everyday productivity – such as web browsing, streaming, and document editing – without the lag typically associated with budget Windows or ChromeOS devices.
- Supply Chain: Apple is able to capitalize on existing “economies of scale”. Because the chip was previously used in the iPhone 16 Pro, the manufacturing processes are mature and highly optimized and Apple is able to maintain better margins on a low-cost device than its competitors.
The A18 Chip is adequate for the MacBook Neo’s intended market.
4.
Which Mac chip is the A18 Pro comparable to?
In our tests of the MacBook Neo the single core performance was faster than M3 and almost matched M4.
In multi-core it was closer to M1.
5.
Is it good for students?
Yes – it’s designed as a low-cost Mac that is suitable for students. Apple has discounted price of $599/£599 for education.
6.
Does MacBook Neo replace the MacBook Air?
No, it sits below the Air in Apple’s lineup.
7.
Is MacBook Neo worth it?
MacBook Neo is widely considered an exceptional value for specific users, particularly students, first-time Mac buyers, and those with basic computing needs. Starting at $699, it is the most affordable laptop Apple has ever released, yet it maintains a premium all-aluminum design that reviewers say feels like a $1,000 machine.
Karen has worked on both sides of the Apple divide, clocking up a number of years at Apple's PR agency prior to joining Macworld more than two decades ago. Karen's career highlights include interviewing Apple's Steve Wozniak and discussing Steve Jobs’ legacy on the BBC. Having edited the U.K. print and online editions of Macworld for many years, more recently her focus has been on SEO and evergreen content as well as product recommendations and buying advice.