MacBook Neo vs MacBook Air: Things to Know Before Buying

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Apple has officially launched the MacBook Neo, a new 13-inch laptop designed as a more affordable alternative to the MacBook Air. Priced from US$599, the MacBook Neo offers a budget-friendly entry point into Apple’s laptop ecosystem, compared with the MacBook Air, which starts at US$1,099.

While both laptops feature thin designs and Apple’s hallmark build quality, they differ significantly in performance, specifications, and features. Here’s a detailed comparison, based on a report by 9to5Mac on March 4, 2026.

Basic Specifications

The MacBook Neo comes with 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM, powered by Apple’s A18 Pro chip, first introduced in the iPhone 16 Pro. Users can upgrade storage to 512GB for an additional US$100, which also adds a Touch ID fingerprint sensor on the keyboard, while RAM remains at 8GB.

The MacBook Air starts with 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM, running on the latest Apple M5 chip, also used in the iPad Pro and 14-inch MacBook Pro. Storage options go up to 4TB, with RAM configurable up to 32GB, making it a more powerful option for professional users.

Chip Performance

The A18 Pro chip in the MacBook Neo has a 6-core CPU (2 performance cores + 4 efficiency cores), a 5-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine with 60GB/s memory bandwidth.

The MacBook Air’s M5 chip features a 10-core CPU (4 performance cores + 6 efficiency cores), a 10-core GPU, and memory bandwidth up to 153GB/s, delivering higher overall performance for demanding workloads.

Display

The MacBook Neo offers a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, 2408 x 1506 resolution, and 219 PPI, using the sRGB color space but without True Tone support.

The MacBook Air features a slightly larger 13.6-inch display, 2560 x 1664 resolution, 224 PPI, supporting P3 wide color and True Tone technology. Both displays reach 500 nits of brightness, but the Air provides richer colors and a more vibrant viewing experience.

Battery and Charging

MacBook Neo users can expect up to 11 hours of web browsing and 16 hours of video playback, powered by a 36.5Wh battery with a 20W USB-C charger. It does not support MagSafe.

The MacBook Air offers longer battery life, up to 15 hours of web browsing and 18 hours of video playback, with a 53.8Wh battery, MagSafe charging, and fast-charging support.

Ports and Connectivity

The MacBook Neo supports Wi-Fi 6E and has two USB-C ports, though one runs at USB 2 speeds. Both ports are used for charging.

The MacBook Air supports Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt 4, with MagSafe charging allowing both USB-C ports to remain free for data transfer.

Keyboard and Trackpad

To reduce costs, the MacBook Neo omits a backlit keyboard—the first MacBook in 16 years to do so—and uses a mechanical click trackpad instead of Force Touch.

The MacBook Air includes a backlit keyboard, Touch ID, and a Force Touch trackpad for pressure-sensitive input.

Audio and Camera

The MacBook Neo has a dual-speaker system with Spatial Audio support for Dolby Atmos content, while the MacBook Air features a four-speaker setup with louder sound and dynamic head-tracking Spatial Audio.

Both laptops have 1080p webcams, but the MacBook Air adds a 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View, ideal for video conferencing.

Dimensions and Design

Both laptops weigh around 2.7 pounds (1.23kg). The MacBook Neo is slightly thicker but slightly smaller overall.

Color options differ: MacBook Neo comes in silver, blush, citrus, and indigo, while the MacBook Air is available in silver, sky blue, starlight, and midnight.

Apple markets the MacBook Neo for first-time Mac users or anyone seeking a more affordable Apple laptop, while the MacBook Air is aimed at users who need higher performance, advanced features, and greater expandability.

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