Review · Tech & gadgets
Apple MacBook Neo review
Apple's lowest-priced Mac, with an A18 Pro chip, a 13-inch Liquid Retina display and four colors.
By the HearSmart research desk · Updated November 8, 2026
- Performance (40%)
- 7.8
- Ease of use (25%)
- 9.3
- Value (35%)
- 9.4
The MacBook Neo is Apple's answer to students who wanted a Mac but not a MacBook Air price. With education pricing it starts at $649, and the regular store lists it at $699. Inside is the A18 Pro chip with a 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU, paired with 8GB of unified memory and a 256GB or 512GB SSD. Apple rates the 36.5-watt-hour battery for up to 16 hours of video streaming and up to 11 hours of wireless web, and the 13.0-inch Liquid Retina display reaches 500 nits. It weighs 2.7 pounds and comes in silver, blush, citrus and indigo. The compromises show in the details. Memory is fixed at 8GB, one of the two USB-C ports is limited to USB 2 speeds, and the 256GB model skips Touch ID. For notes, papers, research and streaming those limits matter little, but heavy creative work fits the MacBook Air better.
Who it is for
High school students and budget-minded freshmen who want a Mac for notes, papers and streaming.
Price
From $649 with Apple education pricing ($699 regular) when checked.
MacBook Neo From $649
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 8, 2026.
Key features
- Apple A18 Pro chip with a 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU
- 8GB of unified memory with a 256GB or 512GB SSD
- 13.0-inch Liquid Retina display at 2408 by 1506 and 500 nits
- Up to 16 hours of video streaming and up to 11 hours of wireless web
- Two USB-C ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a 1080p FaceTime HD camera
Strengths and weaknesses
- Strength: The lowest price for a new Mac, especially with education pricing
- Strength: Light at 2.7 pounds, in four colors
- Strength: Runs the same macOS apps students use on other Macs
- Weakness: 8GB of memory with no upgrade path
- Weakness: One of its two USB-C ports runs at USB 2 speed
- Weakness: Touch ID is only on the 512GB model
Key facts
- Price: From $649 education, $699 regular
- Chip: Apple A18 Pro, 6-core CPU
- Memory and storage: 8GB, 256GB or 512GB SSD
- Display: 13.0-inch, 2408 by 1506, 500 nits
- Battery: Up to 16 hours video streaming
- Weight: 2.7 pounds
Where it ranks
Apple MacBook Neo is No. 2 in our Best Laptops for Students verdict.
Alternatives we scored
Visit apple.com · Questions or corrections: editorial@hearsmart.org