Apple Releases New MacBook Neo

By Campbell Goldston

With the March 2026 release of the MacBook Neo, Apple has added to its family of devices with a product aimed towards students and casual computer users. 

The main selling points of the new device are its affordability, durability, and ability to serve as a companion for classes and everyday work. Starting at $599, the MacBook Neo is Apple’s most affordable laptop, with the MacBook Air starting at $1099 and the MacBook Pro starting at $1699. 

Featuring a recycled aluminum design with 60% recycled content by weight, the device has the highest percentage of recycled materials of all Apple devices to date. Reviews from iFixit have noted that the laptop’s battery is screwed in rather than glued, making it easier to repair, with some claiming the Neo is Apple’s most repairable device yet. 

The device features an A18 Pro Chip, a processor also found in the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The A18 Pro is the reason why the computer is geared towards students for everyday use, as the processor allows for web browsing and multitasking. MacBook Neo also has up to 16 hours of battery life, making it sustainable for a long day of work. At 13 inches, the computer is compact, making it easy to bring wherever one might need to take it. 

A limitation that users have found is the device’s limited storage. The laptop has 8GB of RAM, which is likely sufficient for the target audience of this device; however, this memory cannot be upgraded, leading to future problems if this storage threshold is reached. 

Users have also noted that the base model of the new MacBook does not feature Touch ID, a tool used to turn the device on using one’s fingerprint, and instead features a standard power button. The 512GB storage model--which starts at $699, $100 more than the base model--does feature Touch ID, however. Furthermore, unlike the MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air, the MacBook Neo does not contain a backlit keyboard design.

The MacBook Neo comes in multiple colors, with Apple’s classic Silver, as well as three new colors: Blush (a light pink), Citrus (a lemon yellow), and Indigo (a black/blue).