Just this Monday, Apple kicked off their “big week ahead” with the launch of the new iPhone 17e and the new iPad Air powered by last year’s M4 chip. Now, it seems that Apple is just getting started because they have followed that up with a slew of new MacBooks, with one catching everyone’s attention.
Now, as impressive as the new MacBooks are, we won’t go into too much detail on what’s new with Apple’s laptops. The biggest change is the jump to the M5 Series chipsets that promise a 20% uplift from the previous M4 Series.
However, what got everyone talking is the new MacBook Neo. A new, much cheaper MacBook line that’s powered by a slightly toned down version of the Apple A18 Pro chip that’s found in the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. Toned down in the sense that it has 1 less GPU core than the one found in the iPhone.
Although the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max have been out for about a year, we still cannot definitively say how the A18 Pro performs, especially in a laptop setting. But truth be told, the MacBook Neo isn’t really made for heavy tasks. Its focus falls more on the lighter side, like word processing, browsing the net, or sending emails.
Who’s it for?
Just like MKBHD said in his first impressions of the Neo, if you’re already spec hunting, then you’re probably not the target market for this. But if you’re a student or someone looking to start their journey into the MacOS ecosystem, then perhaps this is the laptop for you.
The MacBook Neo has the potential to be one of the best devices that Apple has released in recent years. Especially with all that’s going on in Windows and the current RAM shortage that sent the whole tech community into a spiral.
The Nitty Gritty
Aside from the A18 Pro’s performance, another aspect that would make or break the MacBook Neo is its pricing. Thankfully, Apple already gave us an idea on that part on their website. On Apple’s website, the MacBook Neo is offered in two configurations: 256GB and 512GB. Both come with 8GB of RAM.
The 256GB variant comes in at ₱39,990 while the 512GB version comes in at ₱46,990. The only other advantage being the Touch ID sensor, but apart from that the two are identical. All versions come equipped with a 13 inch Liquid Retina display with 500 nits brightness. Plus, it comes in these new wacky colors like Indigo, Blush, and Citrus, but if that’s not your cup of tea, there’s still a Silver colorway.
Apple claims that the Neo can last up to 16 hours of video streaming and 11 hours of web surfing, all thanks to the built-in 36.5Wh Li-Ion battery. Port-wise, you’re looking at two USB Type-C ports (one USB 3 with DisplayPort capability and the other USB 2), both supports charging, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Final Thoughts
With a price like that, there’s no arguing that the new MacBook Neo is hard to beat in terms of value. It’s even cheaper than an iPhone if you think about it. It is definitely expected to turn the tide for people who have long for MacOS but couldn’t because of the exorbitant prices.
Of course, the MacBook Neo isn’t a replacement for the Air, and certainly not the Pro, but it does open an avenue that Apple hasn’t explored before. A no-frills affordable MacBook.
Should the A18 Pro hold up well in this form factor, the MacBook could easily become a popular choice for students, casual users, and anyone who needs a reliable laptop for daily use. Only time will tell if the Neo truly lives up to the hype, but for now, it’s safe to say that Apple has definitely caught the tech world’s attention for now.