MacBook Neo: Should you buy Apple’s MacBook Neo?

New Delhi. Apple has created a stir in the tech world by launching its cheapest laptop ever, MacBook Neo. For the past decade, the entry-level MacBook started with the ‘MacBook Air’, but now the Neo has taken over this place with a starting price of ₹69,900. Apple MacBook Neo now faces direct competition from the budget segment of Windows (HP, Asus) and Chromebook. If you are a student or looking for an affordable but premium laptop for home, then should you buy MacBook Neo? This is the question to which many people are looking for an answer. Before knowing the answer to this question, let us know what are the features of this new MacBook and what are its shortcomings.

The biggest feature of MacBook Neo is its colorful and slim design. Instead of the old classic look, Apple has introduced it in indigo, citrus and blush like ‘iMac’ and ‘iPad Air’. It is made entirely of recycled aluminum and has a ‘fanless design’, making it absolutely quiet while working. It has a 13-inch Liquid Retina display. It is quite sharp with a brightness of 500 nits, although to keep the cost low, it does not have pro-level ‘ProMotion’ i.e. high refresh rate.

iPhone processor

Apple has made an interesting change here. The MacBook Neo uses the A18 Pro chip instead of the M-series chip, which powers the iPhone 16 Pro. It has 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU. It is great for everyday tasks like browsing, online classes, and office documents.

It has 8GB RAM and storage option ranging from 256GB to 512GB. The company claims that its 36.5 Wh battery can provide 16 hours of video playback on a single charge, which is equivalent to a full day’s backup for an average user. In India, its 256GB variant is priced at ₹69,900 and the 512GB model is priced at ₹79,900.

What are the shortcomings of MacBook Neo?

To reduce the price, Apple has also compromised with some features, which are important to know before purchasing. It does not have a ‘backlit keyboard’, which means typing in the dark can be a bit difficult. MagSafe charging is not provided in it; You have to charge from USB-C port only. Also, out of the two ports present in it, one is USB 3 and the other is slow USB 2. It has a basic HD camera and two speakers, while the Air model has a better camera and four speakers. The facility of fingerprint sensor is provided only in the expensive 512GB model.

Should you buy Apple MacBook Neo?

If you’re a student, teacher, or your work is primarily limited to the Internet and basic apps and you want to enter Apple’s ‘ecosystem’ (macOS) at the lowest price, this is a great option. This is great for those who want the stability and longevity of an Apple laptop rather than a Windows laptop.