Main points
- The MacBook Neo is equipped with a 6-core A18 Pro processor, which shows higher single-core performance than the M1 chip, but has similar multi-core performance.
- The MacBook Neo starts at $599, features a 13-inch display, and is available in four colors. The official launch of sales is scheduled for March 11, 2026.
Budget MacBook Neo: first benchmark results / Collage 24 Channel/Apple
Apple has introduced its most budget laptop, the MacBook Neo. This decision has caused a lot of discussion due to the use of a mobile A-series processor, which is obviously less powerful than the M-series, which is installed in the Air and Pro models. Now, the appearance of the first performance tests in real conditions allows us to finally understand what the new product is capable of and what its place in the lineup is.
Is the A18 Pro powerful enough to run stably in a macOS environment?
The first MacBook Neo benchmarks that have appeared on the network show results that fully meet the expectations of experts. The heart of the new device is the 6-core A18 Pro processor, which previously debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro smartphones. However, the architectural proximity to mobile devices did not prevent the novelty from showing decent numbers in the Geekbench tests, writes MacRumors.
- In single-core mode, the MacBook Neo scored 3461 points.
- In multi-core – 8668 points.
- Graphics performance, measured using the Metal test, was 31,286 points. This is slightly lower than the iPhone 16 Pro, as the laptop version of the chip has one fewer graphics core, AppleInsider notes.
When comparing the MacBook Neo to other Macs, an interesting pattern emerges. Its multi-core performance is virtually identical to that of the MacBook Air with the M1 processor, which for years has been considered the benchmark for power efficiency and speed for the mass user.
However, in single-core tests, the new product is significantly ahead: 3461 points against 2346 points in the M1. This gap makes the Neo closer in speed to modern M3 or even M4 chips, which has a positive effect on the speed of opening programs and working in web browsers.
MacBook Neo / Photo 9to5mac
What is this laptop really for?
The high single-core speed is a key advantage for the target audience of this device. The MacBook Neo was designed for everyday tasks such as working with documents, watching streaming video and surfing the web.
This computer is not designed for heavy video editing, complex 3D modeling, or professional music creation, where a large number of cores and high multi-core power play an important role.
Many users and analysts have already called the Neo the true spiritual successor to the classic M1 MacBook Air, and not just a cheap replacement for older models.
What features does the new product offer?
Apple's marketing strategy for this product focuses not on internal competition with the professional MacBook Pro, but on the fight against Windows laptops and Chromebooks in the price category up to $600.
MacBook Neo / Photo 9to5mac
- Apple claims on its website that thanks to the optimization and architecture of the A18 Pro, the new MacBook Neo runs 50 percent faster in everyday tasks than the most popular PCs based on the latest Intel Core Ultra 5 processors.
- The manufacturer also emphasizes artificial intelligence, claiming a three-fold advantage in the speed of processing tasks by neural networks directly on the device.
In terms of configuration, the base model for $599 offers 256 gigabytes of built-in storage. For those who need more space and additional security, there is a version with 512 gigabytes of storage and a Touch ID scanner, which will cost $100 more, as previously reported by MacRumors.
The laptop is equipped with a 13-inch display and is available in four bright colors. Despite some criticism regarding the use of 8 gigabytes of RAM in the initial version, experience with such systems shows that for office workers, students and ordinary users, such performance is quite enough for comfortable work without any complaints.
The official start of sales of the MacBook Neo is scheduled for March 11, 2026, and pre-orders can be placed now.