Apple’s new MacBook Neo arrives with a price tag of $700, positioning it as a clear bargain compared with the entry‑level MacBook Air, which rose to $1,300 after a $200 increase just three months ago. The Neo’s affordability comes from a series of compromises, the most significant being its use of an A18 Pro chip—a processor originally built for the 2024 iPhone 16 Pro—rather than the M‑series silicon found in other current Macs, iPads, and the latest Air models.
The A18 Pro in the Neo is slightly detuned for laptop use: while the iPhone version features a six‑core CPU and six‑core GPU, the Neo drops to five GPU cores. This results in lower graphics performance, yet in practical testing the laptop handled multiple web browsers, streaming video, photo editing in Pixelmator Pro, and even the game Oceanhorn 3 without noticeable slowdowns. The experience suggests that iPhone chips have been over‑engineered for many everyday tasks.
However, the Neo shows its limits with more demanding workloads. Its 8 GB of RAM can become a bottleneck during 4K video editing with visual effects, and several applications—including games like Assassin’s Creed Shadows—list a minimum requirement of an M1 processor or better. For users seeking smoother performance, the current MacBook Air, equipped with an M5 chip and at least 16 GB of RAM, offers a more future‑proof solution.
Connectivity is another area where the Neo falls short. It provides a single 10 Gbps USB 3 port, a 480 Mbps USB 2 port, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. While a 4K‑60 Hz DisplayPort monitor can be attached via the USB 3 port, the lack of Thunderbolt support prevents daisy‑chaining or use of other high‑speed accessories. In contrast, the Air upgrades to USB 4 with 40 Gbps speeds, includes Thunderbolt 4, and adds a dedicated MagSafe charging connector.
Industry sources suggest waiting for the next iteration may be wise. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that a 2027 refresh could bring the Neo an A19 Pro chip—the processor used in the iPhone 17 Pro—and bump RAM to 12 GB. Although 12 GB still trails the 16 GB baseline of top laptops, the extra memory should smooth out many of the current model’s edge cases. Because RAM cannot be upgraded after purchase, buying a machine with higher capacity now can help avoid future bottlenecks.
Looking ahead, Apple is rapidly integrating AI features into macOS 27, some of which already demand an M3 chip and 12 GB of RAM. While the first‑generation Neo will likely handle most apps released today, there is no guarantee it will meet the requirements of newer software five years from now. The upcoming A19‑based Neo would still receive only a portion of Apple’s AI roadmap, so it won’t become a heavyweight for tasks like heavy AutoCAD use, but it would be a step up.
If you need a Mac right away, the current Neo is capable enough for typical use, and a refurbished unit could shave a few dollars off the price. If you can wait, the anticipated second‑generation model may offer a better balance of performance and longevity.