This might make you wonder if the MacBook Neo is underpowered. As a whole, I'm guessing not. For years now, I've been skeptical that most people are even using the full power of the latest Apple Silicon in the MacBook Air. The M5 has powerful graphics and top-of-the-line CPU performance, and that's largely wasted on people who exclusively operate out of just a handful of browser tabs. That's a very large demographic. If that's you, you'll likely enjoy using the MacBook Neo and not be bothered by the limitations. Pay attention to what apps you have open, and you'll be fine. The comparison that
The MacBook Neo Cuts (Most of) the Right Corners… Or consider the MacBook Neo, Apple's new budget laptop that also launched in March. While it's much cheaper overall, it's only ever been sold for $10 off its full price. At this reduced price for the M5 MacBook Air of $949, that leaves only a dangerously small $260 gap between the Neo and the Air. …
… I'll be interested to find how the performance and battery life stack up against the MacBook Neo, but Dell is clearly taking notes from Apple, which used a slower iPhone chip in the Neo instead of an M-series laptop-grade processor. …
… The MacBook Air is slightly deeper and wider than the MacBook Neo, but not by as much as you might think given the difference in display size. Even though Apple calls both of them “13-inch” screens, the MacBook Neo is over a half-inch smaller diagonally. …
… Apple was making room in its lineup for the MacBook Neo to make its grand appearance, but the result is that the 2026 MacBook Air is stacked. …
… The MacBook Neo is a downgrade to just stereo speakers and sound a bit more like a standard laptop. The webcam is similar. It's 1080p resolution, just like the MacBook Air, but the MacBook Neo doesn't have the same 12-megapixel sensor. …
… At 0.5 inches, it's exactly the same thickness as the MacBook Neo and right around the same weight too. Does the MacBook Neo have a bit more style and personality? …
… The MacBook Neo changed the rules, proving that design matters, even at this price. To get to this price, however, HP and Apple made very different compromises. …
… I also adore the screen of the iPad Air compared to the MacBook Air. Nothing has changed, but when you stack this up against either the MacBook Air or MacBook Neo, it comes out on top. …
… But as Cook made clear, at least two different factors are driving shortages in Apple’s Mac business: The rapid adoption of generative AI and unexpected demand for the company's new, colorful, and more affordable MacBook Neo laptop. …
… What makes the MacBook Neo special, however, is the lack of compromise around quality. It's a gorgeous piece of hardware, with fun colors, an excellent trackpad, a beautiful display, and that Apple “it” factor. …