Macworld

Today’s best MacBook Neo deals right now

These are the MacBook Neo recommendations we would confidently give to our own friends and family. They are based on the best prices right now at hundreds of resellers of Apple products.

Today’s best MacBook Neo deals: U.S.

• Amazon, MacBook Neo, 512GB: £697, ($2 off, MSRP $699) – It’s only $2 off but you could get it in the next few days
• Best Buy, MacBook Neo, 256GB: $599 – Plus and Total members get a $25 bonus reward with purchase, there’s a longer wait for delivery though.
  

Today’s best MacBook Neo deals: UK

• KRCS, MacBook Neo, 256GB: £549, (£50 off, RRP £599) You can already save £50, stock is limited though so you may have to wait
• Amazon, MacBook Neo, 256GB: £569.90, (£29 off, RRP £599) If you are a subscriber it’s hard to beat Amazon, delivery is just a few days.
• KRCS, MacBook Neo, 512GB: £649, (£50 off, RRP £699) You can already save £50, stock is limited though so you may have to wait

The MacBook Neo is Apple’s new entry-level laptop, launched in March 2026 as the most affordable MacBook ever released. Starting at $599, it offers A18 Pro performance, a 13-inch display and up to 16 hours of battery life.

If you want to buy one we can help you find the best price. Retailers sometimes offer discounts that can save you money, and we track all the Apple retailers constantly, so we always know who has the best price.

In this guide we round up the best MacBook Neo deals available right now and let you know where to buy one for the lowest price. We also help you decide if the MacBook Neo is right for you and explain which model to choose.

MacBook Neo: At a glance

• A18 Pro chip
• 8GB RAM
• 256GB or 512GB storage
• 13-inch Liquid Retina display

Is the MacBook Neo worth buying?

Foundry

The MacBook Neo is ideal if you want the cheapest possible MacBook while still getting Apple’s macOS.

Reasons to buy

• Affordable price
• Long battery life
• Lightweight design

Reasons to skip

• Limited RAM options
• Fewer ports
• Less powerful than MacBook Air

People are drawn to the MacBook Neo for several key reasons: 

Affordability: The primary draw is the breakthrough price point. At $599, it is $500 cheaper than the current M5 MacBook Air. This low entry price makes it a “golden ticket” for those who previously found MacBooks too expensive. 

Premium Design and Build Quality: Despite its budget label, the Neo maintains Apple’s high manufacturing standards. It features an all-aluminum chassis with no plastic parts, a rarity for laptops at this price range. As our reviewer noted, it feels just as premium as a MacBook Air, avoiding the “cheap” feel of competing plastic PCs. It also comes in a variety of vibrant colors, including Indigo, Blush (pink), Citrus (yellow-green), and Silver. 

Sufficient Performance for Everyday Tasks: While it uses a mobile-class processor, the A18 Pro’s efficiency allows it to handle general productivity with ease. You’ll be able to write documents, create spreadsheets, build presentations, visit websites, check email, manage your calendar, video conference with people, and a lot more with ease on the MacBook Neo

Seamless Ecosystem Integration: For the billions of iPhone users, the Neo offers a low-cost way to access the Apple ecosystem. It supports native integrations like iPhone Mirroring, Universal Clipboard, and iCloud sync. It allows users to “go all-in” on Apple – combining a Neo, iPhone 17e, and Apple Watch SE – for a total cost significantly lower than previous years.

Portability and Battery Life: At 2.7 pounds and 0.50 inches thick, the Neo is highly portable . While its battery life is lower than the Air or Pro models, it still offers up to 16 hours of video streaming or 11 hours of wireless web browsing, which is sufficient for a full day of school or general work. 

Who should buy MacBook Neo

• Students and Schools: The $499 education price makes it a direct competitor to Chromebooks in the K-12 and college markets.
• First-Time Mac Buyers: It serves as an affordable “gateway” for iPhone users who want seamless integration (iCloud, AirDrop, iMessage) without spending $1,000+.
• Casual Users: Grandparents or anyone whose primary activities are web browsing, social media, and video calls.
• Secondary Device Owners: Pro users who want a lightweight, inexpensive laptop for travel or vacations.

Which MacBook Neo model should you buy? (256GB vs 512GB)

Foundry

The $599 Base Model

• Includes 256GB of storage
• Lacks Touch ID
• Best for students and light use

The $699 Model: 

• Includes 512GB storage 
• Adds Touch ID 
• Better for storage-heavy users

Our recommendation: The 512GB MacBook Neo is the better buy for most people thanks to Touch ID and extra storage.

MacBook Neo Limitations

What features re missing from MacBook Neo?

• No MagSafe charging
• No Thunderbolt ports
• Base model no Touch ID
• No backlit keyboard

Read about the MacBook Neo missing features.

Should you buy MacBook Neo or MacBook Air?

Eugen Wegmann

The Neo is positioned as Apple’s entry-level MacBook below the MacBook Air.

The 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models were recently updated with the M5 chip . They remain the top choice for most users because they balance performance, battery life, and a thin design

MacBook Neo vs MacBook Air 

Also consider:

• MacBook Air deals
• MacBook Pro deals
• Best accessories for MacBook Neo
• MacBook Neo guide and latest news

Best place to buy the MacBook Neo

The obvious place to buy a MacBook Neo is Apple, but it’s not necessarily the best.

One benefit of buying from Apple is you could trade in your old Mac and get money off. We have an article explaining How to get money off with Apple’s trade-in program.

Buying directly from Apple also means you’ll get:

• Full configuration options
• Trade-in discounts
• Student pricing

However, Apple rarely discounts Macs, so if you are looking for the best price you need to look elsewhere. Our price comparison tables will show the best prices for the two MacBook Neo models right now:

Apple, MacBook Neo, 256GB, MSRP: $599/£599

Apple, MacBook Neo, 521GB, MSRP: $699/£699

Where to buy MacBook Neo

Michael Simon / Foundry

You can buy a MacBook Neo directly from Apple in the U.S. or at Apple U.K. You may, however, find a MacBook Neo in stock and discounted at one of these resellers. There are plenty of stores and Apple Premium Resellers around the world that offer discounts on new and old Macs, so it’s worth shopping around (read our Where to buy a Mac article for more advice).

We also recommend the following resellers:

U.S. retailers

• Want to buy a MacBook Neo from Apple? View the MacBook Neo in the Apple Store.
• Get an education discount: View the MacBook Neo in the Apple Education Store.
• View the MacBook Neo at Amazon.
• View the MacBook Neo at B&H Photo.
• View the MacBook Neo at Best Buy
• View the MacBook Neo at Walmart.
• You can find the MacBook Neo at Adorama.

U.K. retailers

• If you want to buy a MacBook Neo from Apple: View the MacBook Neo in the Apple Store.
• Save money if you are a teacher or student: View the MacBook Neo in the Apple Education Store.
• Get a Mac from Amazon where we often see discounts: View the MacBook Air at Amazon.
• AO.com also offers discounts from time to time: View the MacBook Neo at AO.com
• You may find the MacBook Neo at Argos, although we only tend to see deals in conjunction with events like Black Friday.
• View the MacBook Neo at Currys.
• View the MacBook Neo at John Lewis.
• We often see discounts on the MacBook Neo at Laptops Direct. .
• You may also find discounts on the MacBook Neo at Very.

U.K. Apple Authorised Resellers

• KRCS
• Insight
• iStore
• Select
• Western Computer
• Jigsaw

MacBook Neo price: What you should pay

The MacBook Neo starts at $599/£599, but deals can reduce the price depending on the retailer.

• Launch price: $599/£599
• Good deal: $549-$579/£549-£579
• Best seasonal deals: By Black Friday in November 2026 we could see prices drop to $529/£529 but we don’t expect them to go lower than that.

MacBook Neo FAQ

FAQ

When was the MacBook Neo released?

March 2026.

What chip does it use?

Apple A18 Pro.

Why does MacBook Neo use an iPhone chip?

Apple uses an the A18 Pro chip, as first seen in the iPhone 16 for three main reasons:

1. Price: Apple’s decision to use an iPhone-class processor in the MacBook Neo – specifically the A18 Pro – represents a strategic shift aimed at creating a high-quality, entry-level laptop at a breakthrough price point.
2. Efficiency: Apple’s A-series chips are designed with the same fundamental architecture as the M-series Mac chips, making them uniquely suited for laptop tasks despite their mobile origins. This efficiency allows the Neo to handle everyday productivity – such as web browsing, streaming, and document editing – without the lag typically associated with budget Windows or ChromeOS devices.
3. Supply Chain: Apple is able to capitalize on existing “economies of scale”. Because the chip was previously used in the iPhone 16 Pro, the manufacturing processes are mature and highly optimized and Apple is able to maintain better margins on a low-cost device than its competitors.

The A18 Chip is adequate for the MacBook Neo’s intended market.

Which Mac chip is the A18 Pro comparable to?

In our tests of the MacBook Neo the single core performance was faster than M3 and almost matched M4.

In multi-core it was closer to M1.

Is it good for students?

Yes – it’s designed as a low-cost Mac that is suitable for students. Apple has discounted price of $499/£499 for education.

Does MacBook Neo replace the MacBook Air?

No, it sits below the Air in Apple’s lineup.

Is MacBook Neo worth it?

MacBook Neo is widely considered an exceptional value for specific users, particularly students, first-time Mac buyers, and those with basic computing needs. Starting at $599, it is the most affordable laptop Apple has ever released, yet it maintains a premium all-aluminum design that reviewers say feels like a $1,000 machine.