Khaberni - Apple officially unveils MacBook Neo, its first low-cost laptop launched by the company in over a decade, in a step that redraws the features of the economic category within the Mac system.
The new device starts at $599, about $400 less than the price that has been the basic entry point into the Mac world at $999 for years.
iPhone chip inside the laptop
Unlike the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro series that rely on M processors, the MacBook Neo operates with an A18 Pro chip — which is from the same family of processors used in iPhones, according to a report published by "CNBC" and reviewed by "Arabiya Business".
This decision gives Apple great flexibility in reducing the price, although at the expense of performance compared to higher Mac devices.
Nonetheless, the company confirms that the device offers performance suitable for students and new users.
Main Specifications
- 13-inch screen.
- Lightweight metal chassis.
- Battery lasts up to 16 hours.
- Dual side speakers.
- Colors: Indigo, Blush, Citrus, Silver.
The design comes more vibrant and suitable for new users compared to the traditional professional appearance of other Mac devices.
Direct targeting of Chromebook and economical Windows
The new move is Apple's clearest attempt to compete with low-cost Chromebooks and Windows devices that dominate the education market and first-time users.
John Ternus, Apple's Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, said that the device is unlike any other laptop on the market, referring to the combination of a low price and macOS ecosystem.
Launch after confirmed leaks
The launch of MacBook Neo came after Apple temporarily posted a regulatory file for the device (Model A3404) in the European Union before deleting it, confirming rumors about the existence of a low-cost Mac.
Sensitive timing for Apple
The announcement comes at a time when Mac revenue has fallen by about 7% to reach $8.39 billion last quarter, a figure below analysts' expectations.
Concurrently, Apple has raised the prices of its other devices:
- 13-inch MacBook Air with M5 chip now starts at $1,099.
- 16-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Max rose to $3,899.
This makes the MacBook Neo appear as a strategic choice to bridge the economic category gap and attract the student segment and iPhone users who have never owned a Mac device before.
With this launch, Apple officially reenters the battle of low-cost computers — but this time with a different weapon: an iPhone chip inside a laptop, and a price closer to the education market than ever before.
