Apple today did something analysts had been talking about for a long time, but few believed would happen exactly this way. The company introduced the MacBook Neo — a new laptop powered by the A18 Pro chip. Yes, the same processor used in flagship iPhones.
Apple released the MacBook Neo. And it runs on a smartphone chip
At first glance, this looks a little unusual. We are used to Macs running on M-series chips — powerful processors designed specifically for computers. But Apple decided to take a different path and put a mobile processor inside a laptop. The idea is simple: make the Mac cheaper while preserving the core advantages of the platform.
Will such a Mac be fast enough? The honest answer is that we’ll know after the first tests. But Apple already says that the A18 Pro delivers a noticeable performance boost in everyday tasks and handles artificial intelligence workloads much better.
What Apple promises
Apple is focusing not so much on raw performance numbers but on the overall experience. According to the company, the MacBook Neo should work just as smoothly and predictably as other Apple computers.
The main promises look like this. Full integration with the Apple ecosystem, meaning seamless work with iPhone, iPad and company services. Support for Apple Intelligence — new AI features arriving with macOS Tahoe. And the traditional Apple system optimization, where even modest hardware can run very smoothly.
In other words, Apple says: this is an affordable Mac, but still a real Mac.
Price and positioning
MacBook Neo is the cheapest Apple laptop in the current lineup. Its starting price is $599 (in the US).
For students and education programs the price is even lower — starting from $499. That’s why Apple effectively positions Neo as a new entry point into the Mac ecosystem.
Simply put, the MacBook Air is no longer the cheapest Mac. Neo now takes that role.
Design and colors
Apple did not radically experiment with the design. MacBook Neo looks familiar — a thin aluminum body, minimalist style and a light profile.
But there is one detail that makes the new device a bit more playful. Apple added bright colors.
The laptop comes in four variants:
- Silver — classic silver
- Indigo — deep blue
- Blush — soft pink
- Citrus — citrus yellow
Another small design detail — the keyboard keys are now colored to match the body. This makes the laptop look more cohesive.
Display
MacBook Neo features a 13-inch Liquid Retina display.
Apple says it supports one billion colors and delivers the sharp image quality typical of the company’s modern displays. This is the same class of display many MacBook users are already familiar with.
For writing, studying, watching videos or regular web browsing, this screen is more than enough.
Battery life
Apple traditionally performs well here. MacBook Neo can work up to 16 hours on a single charge.
For an entry-level laptop this is a very strong result. Especially considering that A-series chips were originally designed for smartphones and optimized for efficiency.
In fact, Apple is using the strongest side of a mobile processor — low power consumption.
Ports and camera
MacBook Neo has two USB-C ports.
There is also a classic 3.5 mm headphone jack. For video calls the laptop includes a 1080p FaceTime HD camera.
This is a standard setup for a modern Mac.
Audio and security
The laptop features side speakers with Spatial Audio support. For movies and music this means a more immersive sound experience.
Some configurations also include Touch ID — a fingerprint sensor built into the keyboard.
This allows users to unlock the computer quickly and confirm purchases.
Final thoughts
MacBook Neo looks like a very interesting experiment from Apple. On one hand it is an affordable Mac that could bring new users into the ecosystem. On the other hand it is the company’s first laptop powered by a smartphone chip.
How well this decision works in real life will become clear after the first independent tests.
But one thing is already obvious: Apple has made the Mac much more accessible. And for many people this could become their first introduction to Apple computers.
What else Apple showed
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