98
Tom's GuideT2★ Editors' ChoiceMar 10, 2026
“But overall no other laptop comes close to the Neo in terms of bang for your buck.”
By Mark Spoonauer · Rated 4.5/5Full review
Laptop
Apple MacBook Neo
Apple · From $599
Release date Mar 11, 2026
91
Critical Gold
Based on 14 Critic Reviews
13 with a published score, 1 scored from text · How it works
Latest review Oct 21, 2026
11 Rave3 Positive
Critics' Take
Critics call the MacBook Neo the best budget laptop available, praising its aluminum build, bright 13-inch display, keyboard and trackpad, and A18 Pro speed for everyday work. The common complaints are 8GB of memory, no keyboard backlight, slow secondary USB port and storage, and Touch ID reserved for the pricier model. Apple raised the starting price to $699 in June 2026, and reviewers still recommend it for students and light users.
What critics loved
- Premium aluminum build for the price
- Bright, sharp 13-inch display
- Excellent keyboard and mechanical trackpad
- Fast enough for everyday tasks, with strong battery life
- Fun color choices
Common gripes
- Only 8GB of memory, which is not upgradeable
- No keyboard backlight
- One USB-C port is slower USB 2.0, and there is no Thunderbolt
- Touch ID only on the 512GB model
- Base 256GB storage fills up fast
Critic Scorecard
14 reviewsSort:
Weighted by outlet tier:T1100%T275%T340%T420%
97
PCMagT2★ Editors' ChoiceJun 25, 2026
“Apple's MacBook Neo rewrites the budget laptop playbook, with a higher-end build, a more advanced screen, longer battery life, and faster speeds than many laptops in its price range.”
Page dated 2026-06-25 and lists the $699 price.
By Joe Osborne · Rated 4.5/5Full review
96
Trusted ReviewsT2Jul 17, 2026
“Who would have thought Apple would make the best budget around? I certainly didn’t. But it is.”
Updated review at the £699 UK price.
By Max Parker · Rated 4.5/5Full review
96
Expert ReviewsT3★ Editors' ChoiceMar 18, 2026
“It’s a no-brainer of a recommendation and, despite its few flaws, one of Apple’s greatest products to date.”
Page shows a Best Buy badge.
By Jonathan Bray · Rated 5/5Full review
95
The VergeT1Mar 10, 2026
“The MacBook Neo zips through the light workloads it’s designed for.”
By Antonio G. Di Benedetto · Rated 9/10Full review
95
EngadgetT1Mar 10, 2026
“It's so good, I think it'll make many people wonder why they've stuck with sub-par PCs for so long.”
By Devindra Hardawar · Rated 90/100Full review
Show 8 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
95
Tom's HardwareT2★ Editors' ChoiceMar 10, 2026
“The MacBook Neo is a spectacular budget laptop that should shock the PC industry.”
By Andrew E. Freedman · Rated 4.5/5Full review
94
9to5MacT2Mar 10, 2026
“At $599, MacBook Neo is an incredible value.”
By Chance Miller · Unrated, scored from textFull review
94
HotHardwareT3★ Editors' ChoiceJul 2, 2026
“And for the vast majority of folks who need a laptop, the MacBook Neo gets the job done.”
Long-term review; tested the $799 512GB model.
By Myriam Joire · Rated 4.5/5Full review
86
CNETT1Oct 21, 2026
“Even at its higher price, the MacBook Neo will still be the first new, non-hand-me-down MacBook for many.”
Updated review scored at the $699 price Apple moved to in June 2026.
By Matt Elliott · Rated 8.3/10Full review
86
NotebookcheckT3Mar 14, 2026
“The new MacBook Neo feels like a typical MacBook, which means you do not have to make any compromises in terms of chassis quality, typing experience and also the display.”
By Andreas Osthoff · Rated 86%Full review
83
MacworldT2Mar 10, 2026
“It might cost a fraction of what Apple charges for the MacBook Pro, but it’s not a letdown; it’s a delight.”
By Roman Loyola · Rated 4/5Full review
79
WiredT1Mar 10, 2026
“For the most part, Apple cut corners in the right places and made a MacBook its intended buyers will adore.”
By Luke Larsen · Rated 7/10Full review
79
ZDNETT2Mar 10, 2026
“Ultimately, the Neo is worth it only if you’re committed to using it for what it’s designed for: everyday tasks, internet browsing, media, and iPhone integrations.”
By Kyle Kucharski · Rated 4/5Full review
86
CNETT1Oct 21, 2026
“Even at its higher price, the MacBook Neo will still be the first new, non-hand-me-down MacBook for many.”
Updated review scored at the $699 price Apple moved to in June 2026.
By Matt Elliott · Rated 8.3/10Full review
96
Trusted ReviewsT2Jul 17, 2026
“Who would have thought Apple would make the best budget around? I certainly didn’t. But it is.”
Updated review at the £699 UK price.
By Max Parker · Rated 4.5/5Full review
94
HotHardwareT3★ Editors' ChoiceJul 2, 2026
“And for the vast majority of folks who need a laptop, the MacBook Neo gets the job done.”
Long-term review; tested the $799 512GB model.
By Myriam Joire · Rated 4.5/5Full review
97
PCMagT2★ Editors' ChoiceJun 25, 2026
“Apple's MacBook Neo rewrites the budget laptop playbook, with a higher-end build, a more advanced screen, longer battery life, and faster speeds than many laptops in its price range.”
Page dated 2026-06-25 and lists the $699 price.
By Joe Osborne · Rated 4.5/5Full review
96
Expert ReviewsT3★ Editors' ChoiceMar 18, 2026
“It’s a no-brainer of a recommendation and, despite its few flaws, one of Apple’s greatest products to date.”
Page shows a Best Buy badge.
By Jonathan Bray · Rated 5/5Full review
86
NotebookcheckT3Mar 14, 2026
“The new MacBook Neo feels like a typical MacBook, which means you do not have to make any compromises in terms of chassis quality, typing experience and also the display.”
By Andreas Osthoff · Rated 86%Full review
Show 8 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
98
Tom's GuideT2★ Editors' ChoiceMar 10, 2026
“But overall no other laptop comes close to the Neo in terms of bang for your buck.”
By Mark Spoonauer · Rated 4.5/5Full review
95
The VergeT1Mar 10, 2026
“The MacBook Neo zips through the light workloads it’s designed for.”
By Antonio G. Di Benedetto · Rated 9/10Full review
95
EngadgetT1Mar 10, 2026
“It's so good, I think it'll make many people wonder why they've stuck with sub-par PCs for so long.”
By Devindra Hardawar · Rated 90/100Full review
95
Tom's HardwareT2★ Editors' ChoiceMar 10, 2026
“The MacBook Neo is a spectacular budget laptop that should shock the PC industry.”
By Andrew E. Freedman · Rated 4.5/5Full review
94
9to5MacT2Mar 10, 2026
“At $599, MacBook Neo is an incredible value.”
By Chance Miller · Unrated, scored from textFull review
83
MacworldT2Mar 10, 2026
“It might cost a fraction of what Apple charges for the MacBook Pro, but it’s not a letdown; it’s a delight.”
By Roman Loyola · Rated 4/5Full review
79
WiredT1Mar 10, 2026
“For the most part, Apple cut corners in the right places and made a MacBook its intended buyers will adore.”
By Luke Larsen · Rated 7/10Full review
79
ZDNETT2Mar 10, 2026
“Ultimately, the Neo is worth it only if you’re committed to using it for what it’s designed for: everyday tasks, internet browsing, media, and iPhone integrations.”
By Kyle Kucharski · Rated 4/5Full review
Quick Facts
- Display
- 13-inch Liquid Retina, 500 nits, 60Hz
- Chip
- Apple A18 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU
- Memory
- 8GB unified
- Storage
- 256GB SSD or 512GB with Touch ID
- Battery life
- Up to 16 hours video playback (Apple); Tom's Guide measured 13h28m web surfing
- Weight
- 2.7 lb
- Ports
- USB-C (USB 3), USB-C (USB 2), headphone jack
- Colors
- Silver, Indigo, Blush, Citrus
- Price
- $599 at launch ($499 education); $699 since June 2026