MacBook Neo

Best price now

$599.00at UCLA StoreChecked Nov 4

Compared across 10 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

What reviewers say

4.7 / 511 ratings

Buyers rate it 4.7 out of 5 and call it a great value for everyday tasks, praising its light weight, smooth keyboard and all-day battery. Complaints center on the small screen, oversaturated colors on external monitors and a price hike.

What people mention

PortabilityPraisedOwners say it is light and easy to carry and store.
KeyboardPraisedBuyers describe the keyboard as very smooth to type on.
PerformancePraisedReviewers say it is fast and handles everyday tasks efficiently.
DisplayMixedThe screen is praised for size and quality but some say it causes eye strain.
Color accuracyCriticisedColors look oversaturated and harsh when plugged into an external monitor.
PriceCriticisedBuyers were unhappy about a price increase.

About the MacBook Neo

MacBook Neo. Value that makes the grade.

Nail that presentation. Crush your essay. And ace your photo edits. MacBook Neo flies through your everyday schoolwork and then some. With a brilliant 13-inch Liquid Retina display,1 the A18 Pro chip built for AI and Apple Intelligence,2 and up to 16 hours of battery life,3 it’s a Mac made for school and beyond.

Key Features

A SCHOOL-PROOF DESIGN—With an incredibly portable and durable aluminum design, MacBook Neo is built to go wherever school takes you. Choose from four stunning colors—Silver, Blush, Citrus, or Indigo—each with a color-coordinated keyboard.

A BRILLIANT 13-INCH DISPLAY1—Feast your eyes on the gorgeous Liquid Retina display. A 2408 by 1506 resolution, up to 500 nits of brightness, and support for one billion colors provide vivid images and crisp text.

UP TO 16 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE3—With all-day battery life, MacBook Neo is equipped to go the distance for students—from early-morning classes to late-night study sessions.

POWER FOR EVERYDAY SCHOOLWORK—Ready the moment you open it, MacBook Neo with the A18 Pro chip delivers the performance and AI capabilities you need to get things done, whether you're cramming for finals, using Apple Intelligence to summarize class notes,2 creating presentations, or playing the latest Apple Arcade game.

LOOK AND SOUND GREAT—MacBook Neo comes with a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, a dual-mic array to enhance your voice for crystal clear clarity during calls, and two side-firing speakers for immersive sound with Spatial Audio. Perfect for video calls with classmates, presenting projects, or streaming your favorite shows.

CONNECT IT ALL—MacBook Neo features two USB-C ports and a headphone jack for connecting accessories, transferring data, and charging. And it supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 6.0 to keep you wirelessly connected.

MACOS RUNS APPS FAST—All your go-to apps run lightning fast in macOS, including built-in apps like FaceTime4 and Messages.

IF YOU LOVE IPHONE, YOU’LL LOVE MAC—Mac works like magic with your other Apple devices. View and control what’s on your iPhone from your Mac with iPhone Mirroring.5 Copy something on iPhone and paste it on Mac. Send texts with Messages from your Mac, or use your Mac to make and answer FaceTime calls.4

BUILT FOR AI—Apple silicon, and every major component that powers it, is designed to efficiently run on-device AI activities. And Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.2

PRIVACY AND SECURITY—Built-in antivirus protection and free software updates help keep your MacBook Neo running smoothly and securely. FileVault encrypts your files so others can’t access them. Find My can help you locate your lost or stolen Mac. The MacBook Neo model with Lock Key lets you wake and lock your screen and power your Mac on and off. The model with Touch ID uses your fingerprint to unlock your Mac, authorize payments, and sign in to apps and sites.

What buyers say

Buyers like

Lightweight and easy to carry and store
Keyboard is very smooth to type on
Fast shipping and timely delivery
Great value for everyday use and most tasks
Efficient and used for everything
Good size and great quality

Buyers complain about

Small screen causes eye strain
Over-saturated, harsh colors when plugged into a monitor
Sad about a price hike

Questions and answers

Is the MacBook Neo good enough for schoolwork?

Yes. The A18 Pro chip and 8 GB RAM handle essays, presentations, note summaries and photo edits. Heavy video editing or many open apps at once will push the 8 GB of memory.

How long does the battery last?

Apple rates it at up to 16 hours, enough for a full day of classes and study. Real-world time drops with bright screens and heavy apps.

What is in the box?

The laptop, a USB-C charging cable and a power adapter. It has two USB-C ports and a 3.5 mm headphone jack, so older USB-A accessories need an adapter.

Should I get 256 GB or 512 GB?

256 GB covers documents, streaming and cloud storage. Choose 512 GB if you keep large photo libraries, games or video files on the device.

How does it compare with a MacBook Air?

The Neo is the cheaper, lighter student model with an A18 Pro chip and a 13-inch 500-nit display. The Air line offers larger screens and more memory options at higher prices.

When is the best time to buy?

Apple laptops usually see discounts during back-to-school season and major holiday sales. Check the price history on this page before buying, since buyers have complained about a price hike.

Does the MacBook Neo have a touchscreen?

Yes, it is listed with a touchscreen alongside the 13-inch Liquid Retina panel. That sets it apart from most Mac laptops, which rely on the trackpad and keyboard.

What ports and wireless does it have?

Two USB-C ports, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 6.0. There is no USB-A or HDMI, so plan on adapters for older accessories and projectors.

Where is the MacBook Neo cheapest?

At UCLA Store, for $599.00, as of our latest check.

What do buyers say about the MacBook Neo?

Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 11 ratings. Buyers like: Lightweight and easy to carry and store; Keyboard is very smooth to type on; Fast shipping and timely delivery. Common complaints: Small screen causes eye strain; Over-saturated, harsh colors when plugged into a monitor.

Where can I buy the MacBook Neo?

11 stores we checked sell it, including UCLA Store, Abt Electronics & Appliances, Apple Education Store, B&H Photo-Video-Audio, Best Buy.