MacBook Neo Could Become Apple’s Cheapest Laptop: What to Expect at Tonight’s Apple Event

Apple's MacBook lineup has steadily moved upmarket in recent years, with prices increasing as storage and memory configurations improve. Ahead of tonight's Apple event, reports suggest the company may introduce a new budget laptop called the MacBook Neo, designed to become the most affordable MacBook in Apple's portfolio.

If the rumours prove accurate, the MacBook Neo could fill a growing gap in Apple's laptop lineup created by rising prices across the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro series.

MacBook Prices Are Climbing

Apple recently refreshed its MacBook lineup with new models powered by the M5 family of chips. The latest MacBook Air now starts at $1,099 with 512GB storage, after Apple discontinued the earlier $999 configuration that included 256GB storage.

Meanwhile, the updated MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips have also seen price adjustments. Apple removed the lowest storage tiers in these models to offset higher memory costs, effectively raising the entry price across the professional range.

As a result, the MacBook Air, traditionally Apple's entry-level laptop, has become significantly more expensive than it once was.

Where the MacBook Neo Fits In

This is where the MacBook Neo could step in.

Reports suggest Apple plans to position the Neo below the MacBook Air, targeting users who want a MacBook experience at a lower price. Early estimates place its price between $599 and $799, though the lower figure would align more closely with Apple's recent discount strategy.

Retailers like Walmart previously sold the M1 MacBook Air for $599, showing that Apple is comfortable with that price point for entry-level performance.

The MacBook Neo is expected to adopt similar specifications, including 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, offering enough performance for everyday tasks such as browsing, office work and media consumption.

A Different Kind of MacBook Chip

One of the biggest differences between the MacBook Neo and other Apple laptops could be the processor.

Instead of using an M-series Mac chip, the Neo may rely on the A18 Pro processor, the same chip used in the iPhone 16 Pro. While this might sound unusual, the A18 Pro is powerful enough to deliver performance comparable to the older M1 chip for many common computing tasks.

This approach allows Apple to keep costs lower while still offering smooth performance for casual users, students and first-time Mac buyers.

Simplified Hardware to Cut Costs

To achieve a lower price, Apple is also expected to simplify certain hardware features.

The MacBook Neo may drop features such as a backlit keyboard, True Tone display support and the P3 colour gamut, although display brightness could remain around 400 nits. These changes would clearly differentiate the Neo from the MacBook Air while keeping the core MacBook experience intact.

Interestingly, the Neo could compensate for these cuts with a fresh design and new colour options, potentially appealing to younger buyers such as high school and college students.

Apple's New Entry-Level Mac

For years, Apple relied on retailers to sell older MacBook models at lower prices. The MacBook Neo could change that strategy by giving Apple a true entry-level laptop that it can sell directly through its own stores and website.

Internally, Apple reportedly describes the device as offering "incredible value," suggesting the company expects it to attract new customers into the Mac ecosystem.

If priced aggressively, particularly around the $599 mark, the MacBook Neo could become Apple's most accessible laptop yet, restoring a lower-cost entry point that has largely disappeared from the MacBook lineup in recent years.
All eyes will now be on tonight's Apple event to see whether the MacBook Neo officially makes its debut.