IN A NUTSHELL
- Apple has a new affordable MacBook ‘Neo’ starting at $599
- The laptop features a 13 inch Liquid Retina display and runs on the A18 Pro chip
- The new MacBook becomes the most accessible MacBook option in Apple’s lineup
Apple has launched the new MacBook Neo, unveiled at their annual March event.
This MacBook comes to play as more affordable entry into the MacBook family, the device launches at $599, making it the most affordable MacBook to date. For South African buyers this could place the price at roughly under R15 000.
The new device features a 13 inch Liquid Retina display, an aluminium enclosure and Apple’s A18 Pro chip.
Despite the lower price point, Apple says the MacBook Neo still carries the premium feel the brand is known for. The laptop weighs just 2.7 pounds and is built using a new material efficient forming process that uses roughly half the aluminium normally required while maintaining the solid unibody design.
The display offers a resolution of 2408 by 1506 with support for one billion colours and up to 500 nits brightness, along with an anti reflective coating for easier viewing in bright environments.
Other features include a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, dual microphones with directional beamforming to reduce background noise and dual side firing speakers with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos. The device also introduces fresh colour options including blush, indigo, silver and citrus, with the Magic Keyboard matching the finishes and including Touch ID for secure login and Apple Pay authentication.
For those looking to get their hands on this Macbook, it will be available from 11 March 2026.
