Apple Unveils $500 Cheaper MacBook Neo at March Event

New budget laptop aims to expand Apple's reach in the laptop market.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Apple announced the new MacBook Neo, a more affordable laptop that costs $500 less than the cheapest MacBook Air, at its March event. The MacBook Neo is designed to bring Apple's laptop experience to a wider range of consumers.

Why it matters

The MacBook Neo represents Apple's effort to make its laptops more accessible to budget-conscious consumers, potentially expanding its reach in the laptop market which has traditionally skewed towards more premium devices.

The details

The MacBook Neo features a 13-inch display, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. It is powered by a lower-end processor compared to the MacBook Air, but still promises solid performance for everyday tasks. Apple is positioning the MacBook Neo as an entry-level laptop for students, families, and those looking for a more affordable Apple computing experience.

  • Apple announced the MacBook Neo at its March 2026 event.

The players

Apple

A multinational technology company that designs, develops, and sells consumer electronics, computer software, and online services.

Matt Elliott

A senior editor at CNET with a focus on laptops and streaming services, who has more than 20 years of experience testing and reviewing laptops.

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What they’re saying

“The MacBook Neo is designed to bring Apple's laptop experience to a wider range of consumers.”

— Matt Elliott, Senior Editor, CNET (cnet.com)

What’s next

The MacBook Neo will be available for pre-order starting next week and will begin shipping to customers in early April.

The takeaway

Apple's introduction of the more affordable MacBook Neo signals the company's efforts to make its laptops accessible to a broader audience, potentially expanding its reach in the laptop market.