Apple’s Budget MacBook Neo is Cheaper than its Cheapest iPhone
Apple’s Budget MacBook Neo is Cheaper than its Cheapest iPhone
https://manofmany.com/tech/apple-macbook-neo-revealed
Publish Date: 2026-03-04 17:10:00
Source Domain: manofmany.com
Readtime: 6 min
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- Apple announces the new MacBook Neo starting at just A$899.
- It features the powerful A18 Pro chip and 16 hours of battery life.
- The 13-inch Liquid Retina display supports one billion vibrant colours.
- Four aluminium finishes include Blush, Indigo, Silver, and Citrus.
- Pre-orders open today with official Australian availability on March 11.
Days after launching its AUD$999 iPhone 17e, Apple has announced a new budget-friendly MacBook that’s even cheaper than its cheapest iPhone. Called the MacBook Neo, it’s priced from AUD$899 (AUD$749 for Education), and pre-orders start today (March 5, 2026), with in-store purchases available from March 11, 2026. Here’s everything you need to know about it.
| MacBook Neo | MacBook Air (M5) | |
| Starting Price | from AUD$899 | from AUD$1,799 |
| Education Price | from A$749 | from AUD$1,639 |
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MacBook Neo in Silver, Blush, Citrus, and Indigo | Image: Supplied / Apple
Design and Portability
| Feature | MacBook Neo | MacBook Air (M5) |
| Weight | 2.7 lbs (1.23 kg) | 2.7 lbs (1.23 kg) for the 13-inch |
| Thickness | 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) | 0.44 inches (1.13 cm) |
| Footprint (W x D) | 11.71″ x 8.12″ | 11.97″ x 8.46″ |
| Design Vibe | Soft, rounded corners, bright and playful | Ultra-thin, sleek, and sharp professional aesthetic |
| Color Options | Blush, Indigo, Silver, Citrus | Sky Blue, Midnight, Starlight, Silver |
| Cooling | Fanless (Silent) | Fanless (Silent) |
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You won’t mistake this for a cheaper MacBook, with the same durable aluminium enclosure with soft, rounded corners as the more expensive MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.
Impressively, the MacBook Neo weighs the same as a MacBook Air (13-inch) at 1.23 kg (2.7 pounds), and while it is technically a little thicker than the Air (0.5 inches), it has a smaller overall footprint, making it easy…
