Launched in March 2026, the MacBook Neo is Apple’s attempt to bring an all‑aluminium Mac experience to the entry‑level market. Priced at A$899 for the 256GB model (A$749 for education) and A$1,099 for the 512GB version, it targets students, first‑time Mac owners and users who need a portable everyday laptop. The device is built around the A18 Pro chip, the same 3nm silicon that powers the iPhone 16 Pro and runs macOS Tahoe.
Design & Display
Form factor: 13‑inch unibody aluminium chassis available in Silver, Blush, Citrus and Indigo.
Weight & dimensions: 1.24kg; 0.61cm thick, making it one of Apple’s lightest laptops.
Screen: 13.3‑inch Liquid Retina IPS panel, 500 nits peak brightness, 60Hz refresh, 219 PPI. The display is praised for its colour accuracy and sharpness at this price point.
Performance
Processor: A18 Pro (6‑core CPU, 5‑core GPU with one core disabled for “binned” supply).
RAM: Fixed 8 GB LPDDR5.
Storage: 256GB or 512GB SSD (NVMe).
Everyday use: Smooth web browsing, Office suite, video streaming and light photo editing.
Creative workloads: Capable of basic video cuts and image adjustments but struggles with sustained 3D rendering or heavy‑duty video encoding compared with M‑series chips.
Battery Life & Charging
Battery: Up to 16 hours of mixed‑use testing, comparable to the Air line.
Charger: Ships with a 20W USB‑C power brick; a 35W or higher adapter is recommended for faster top‑up.
MagSafe: Not included, a notable omission for a laptop in this segment.
Keyboard, Trackpad & Security
Keyboard: Scissor‑type keys with decent travel; not backlit.
Trackpad: Mechanical clicker, lacks the haptic Force‑Touch experience of higher‑end MacBooks.
Security: Integrated Touch ID sensor on the power button.
Connectivity
Ports: Two USB‑C/Thunderbolt 4 ports (charging, display, data) and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Wireless: Wi‑Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3.
Pricing & Configurations (Australia)
Config
Storage
Price (AUD)
Education Discount
Base
256GB
$899
$749
Upgrade
512GB
$1,099
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Availability & Stock Shortages (April 2026)
Online orders: 2–3 weeks delivery for most configurations.
In‑store: Many Apple Store locations report empty shelves; popular colourways (Blush, Citrus, Indigo) and the 512GB variant are hardest to find.
Third‑party retailers: Amazon and specialist shops initially held stock but have sold out quickly.
Root causes
Unexpected surge in demand from students and first‑time Mac users.
Limited “binned” A18 Pro chips, sourced from leftover iPhone production.
Production constraints for a low‑margin, high‑volume product.
Analysts suggest Apple may either pay a premium to increase chip supply or accept tighter margins. A future refresh with an A19 Pro chip is already being speculated.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
Competitive price for a full‑aluminium MacBook.
Bright, sharp 13‑inch Retina display.
Strong everyday performance from the A18 Pro.
Long battery life and lightweight design.
Touch ID for convenient login.
Weaknesses
Fixed 8GB RAM limits heavy multitasking.
No backlit keyboard or Force‑Touch trackpad.
Limited ports; no MagSafe.
Slower 20W charger out‑of‑the‑box.
Stock shortages and delivery delays.
Verdict
The MacBook Neo delivers a premium look and solid day‑to‑day performance at a price that undercuts most Windows‑based budget laptops in Australia. It is an attractive option for students, casual creators and anyone seeking a portable Mac without the premium price tag of the Air or Pro lines.
However, power users and professionals who need more RAM, higher‑end GPU performance or premium input devices should look toward the MacBook Air or the M‑series lineup.
Given the current supply constraints, prospective buyers may need to plan for a waiting period or consider alternative retailers. If Apple can stabilise chip supply or introduce an A19 Pro iteration next year, the Neo could become a long‑term staple in the entry‑level Mac market.
