Apple has introduced the MacBook Neo, its most affordable MacBook ever, starting at £599. That's the same price as an iPhone 17e, making it an incredibly accessible entry point into the Mac ecosystem.
But as with any budget device, compromises have been made. Here's what you need to know before deciding whether the Neo is the right Mac for you.
Performance
Processor and Memory
The biggest difference between the Neo and the rest of Apple's Mac range is the chip. Rather than an M series processor the Neo uses the A18 Pro, the same chip found in the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, but with one fewer GPU core (5-core instead of 6-core).
The Neo is also locked to 8GB of unified memory with no upgrade option, and memory bandwidth is 60GB/s which is less than the MacBook Air M2. For browsing, email, documents, and light creative work the A18 Pro will be fine. For video editing, local AI models, or 3D rendering, you'll want a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro.
Storage
Storage starts at 256GB with a single 512GB upgrade option, far less flexibility than the Air or Pro, which offer configurations up to 2TB and beyond.
Battery and Charging
Despite being slightly thicker than the MacBook Air, the Neo has shorter battery life — up to 16 hours of video streaming versus 18 on the Air, with a smaller 36.5Wh battery compared to 53.8Wh.
There's no MagSafe, so charging is USB-C only. Apple also doesn't provide a power adaptor in the UK, so this will have to be purchased separately. To find out why Apple doesn't include power adaptors in the UK in Europe read our blog here.
Ports and Connectivity
USB-C and Thunderbolt
This is where the budget positioning is most apparent. The Neo has two USB-C ports, but they're not equal, one is USB 3 (up to 10Gb/s with DisplayPort 1.4), while the other is USB 2 at just 480Mb/s.
There's no Thunderbolt at all, which means no compatibility with Apple's Studio Display or other Thunderbolt peripherals. If you rely on fast storage devices or Thunderbolt docks, this is a significant limitation.
External Display Support
External display support is limited to a single 4K monitor at 60Hz. Without Thunderbolt, higher-resolution monitors like Apple's Studio Display are not supported.
Wi-Fi
The Neo supports Wi-Fi 6E but not Wi-Fi 7, as Apple hasn't included its newer N1 networking chip in this model.
Display
The Neo has a 13-inch display the smallest in Apple's current MacBook lineup. It uses thick, iPad-style bezels rather than the notch design found on the Air and Pro.
Several display features are missing: no True Tone (automatic white balance adjustment), no P3 Wide colour (sRGB only), and no ProMotion with the screen running at a standard 60Hz.
Keyboard, Trackpad and Touch ID
The keyboard has no backlight, which could be frustrating in low-light environments. Touch ID is absent on the base 256GB model, you'll need the £699 512GB version to get it.
The trackpad is a traditional physical Multi-Touch unit rather than the Force Touch trackpad on the Air and Pro, so there's no haptic feedback, Force Click, or pressure sensitive input.
Speakers and Camera
The Neo has a dual-speaker system with support spatial audio. The FaceTime camera is 1080p HD, not the newer 12MP Center Stage camera and there's no camera indicator light, with Apple using a software notification instead.
A 3.5mm headphone jack is included but doesn't support high impedance headphones.
MacBook Neo vs Refurbished MacBook Air M2
For context, here's how the Neo stacks up against a refurbished MacBook Air M2, a machine you can pick up from Hoxton Macs at a similar or lower price point.
| Feature | MacBook Neo | MacBook Air M2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From £599* | From £545* refurbished |
| Chip | A18 Pro (6-core CPU, 5-core GPU) | M2 (8-core CPU, 8-core GPU) |
| Memory | 8GB | 8GB, 16GB or 24GB |
| Storage | 256GB or 512GB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB |
| Display | 13-inch, sRGB, 60Hz | 13.6-inch, P3 Wide colour, 60Hz |
| True Tone | No | Yes |
| Battery | Up to 16 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Charging | USB-C only (20W) | MagSafe + USB-C |
| Ports | 1x USB 3, 1x USB 2 | 2x Thunderbolt 3 |
| External displays | 1x 4K @ 60Hz | 1x 6K @ 60Hz |
| Keyboard backlight | No | Yes |
| Touch ID | 512GB model only | Yes |
| Trackpad | Physical Multi-Touch | Force Touch (haptic) |
| Camera | 1080p FaceTime HD | 1080p FaceTime HD |
| Speakers | 2-speaker | 4-speaker |
| Thickness | 12.7mm | 11.3mm |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Weight | 1.23kg | 1.24kg |
As the table shows, the refurbished MacBook Air M2 matches or beats the Neo in almost every category. You get a more powerful M2 chip, higher memory options, Thunderbolt connectivity, a larger P3 display with True Tone, MagSafe charging, a backlit keyboard, and Force Touch trackpad.
Who Is the MacBook Neo For?
The Neo is aimed at users who need a straightforward, affordable laptop for everyday tasks like browsing, email, documents, and streaming. It's a solid choice for students after their first Mac, or anyone who's been priced out of the Mac ecosystem until now.
But if your needs extend beyond the basics, a refurbished MacBook Air offers significantly more capability often for less money.
Consider Refurbished
If the MacBook Neo's compromises feel like a step too far but budget is still a concern, a refurbished MacBook Air could be the ideal middle ground. At Hoxton Macs, our refurbished MacBook Air models come with a full professional refurbishment, thorough testing, and a 1-year warranty. Browse our range of refurbished MacBook Air models and find the right Mac for your needs.
*Prices as of 05/03/26 and may change over time.
