Apple begins a new era of laptops

March 10, 2026 — 9:01pm You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Apple’s MacBook Neo is unprecedented territory for the tech giant, which has previously compromised on tech specs to craft thin and light premium laptops, but never in service of an explicitly low-cost model.

At $900 the Neo is the cheapest computer Apple currently sells (even compared to the Mac Mini), and it’s the cheapest MacBook model in history for recommended price at launch. So, has the compromise been worth it? For prospective buyers the main question isn’t how the Neo compares to the $1800 MacBook Air, which is the next-least expensive in the line-up, but how it compares to other $900 laptops, new or otherwise.

On that front, I’d say Apple has delivered a compelling option for anyone who just wants a daily driver and doesn’t need ultimate performance. With great looks, a smooth MacOS experience, and power that’s likely to satisfy a majority of users, it’s a stunning alternative to the Windows laptops and older MacBooks of the price bracket.

Physically, the Neo looks just like a small, colourful MacBook. My review unit is yellow, but it also comes in pink, navy, and silver, with a sleek aluminum body that looks and feels premium. The keyboard keys appear white at first glance, but they’re subtly coloured, while the trackpad and display don’t feel at all cramped despite this being the smallest MacBook in a long time.

There are no ports on the laptop’s right side, while on the left there are two USB-C ports and a headphone jack. Though there’s no indication on the body, the two USBs are actually different specs. The bottom port is USB 2, which is really only good for basic accessories, while the top port is USB 3, which is the one you’ll want to use for high-speed storage or connecting to a monitor.

You can use either for charging. Advertisement A change for the colourful As someone who generally uses a MacBook Pro, I was expecting to immediately notice some drawbacks when I started using the Neo. But while there is, of course, a difference, I honestly think most people’s first impressions will be that it’s shockingly good.

And compared to other $900 devices, it is. The display is just as bright and sharp as the current MacBook Air, and it looks beautiful straight out of the box. This is due in part to how bright and graphic the current MacOS is, and Apple has smartly given the Neo a colour-matched wallpaper and accent scheme by default, to bring it all together.

There’s just no way you would peg this as a budget model by looks alone. The keyboard and trackpad are a slightly different story because if you’re used to a current Air or Pro, then you’ll notice they’re not as good. The keys are not backlit, they have more travel to them, and give a hollow feel.

Similarly, the camera, microphone and speakers are good but not great, and the stated maximum battery life of 16 hours can’t touch the Pro. Advertisement But then, if you’re buying a $900 laptop, you’re probably not coming from a current Air or Pro, and this all compares very well to the majority of Windows laptops.

And that’s actually where the Neo’s biggest strength lies. Stack this up against any $900 Windows laptop, and that Dell or HP or ASUS is going to look dull. It probably has a few extra features – an HDMI port, a 360-degree hinge, a refresh rate higher than 60Hz – but it doesn’t have the base level of design fit and finish that Apple provides.