Apple generated a lot of buzz this year with the launch of the MacBook Neo — a laptop that, while not the first to feature a smartphone processor, drew attention for its price and overall quality, paired with the performance macOS is capable of delivering.
After several months of daily use on a MacBook Neo in its most talked-about colour — citrus — we can share our verdict on what it is like to use a MacBook with an iPhone processor, and who this machine is actually for.
MacBook Neo specifications
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Keeping the traditional aluminium body that has always defined the MacBook line, Apple brought to market a device that surprised in several areas — something the company has been finding increasingly difficult to do.
With a starting RRP of €799 and the possibility of getting it for €699 with the student discount, it becomes an easily desirable machine for a number of reasons.
Inside the MacBook Neo sits Apple’s A18 Pro processor — the same chip used in the iPhone 16 line. In terms of memory, both available versions come with 8GB of RAM: the base model pairs this with 256GB of internal storage, while the higher configuration offers 512GB and also includes a Touch ID fingerprint reader integrated into the keyboard — specifically, in the power button.
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The display is a 13-inch IPS Liquid Retina panel with a resolution of 2406×1506 and up to 500 nits of brightness.
The MacBook Neo is powered by a built-in 36.5Wh battery, which Apple claims can deliver up to 16 hours of video streaming and up to 11 hours of wireless web browsing. Charging is via USB-C and requires a minimum of 20W.
Around the machine there are two USB-C ports — one USB-C 3 that supports connecting an external monitor, and one USB-C 2 — along with a 3.5mm headphone jack on the same side. Beyond that, there are only two side-firing speakers built into the chassis.
Apple included a Magic Keyboard in this laptop which, depending on the version purchased, may or may not include Touch ID. There is also a very smooth and responsive multi-touch trackpad.
The MacBook Neo features a 1080p FaceTime HD camera that delivers generally good image quality and is a noticeable step up from most other laptops for video calls.
On top of all this, the MacBook Neo weighs just 1.23 kg — making it slim, light, and easy to carry anywhere.
The base MacBook Neo has a starting RRP of €799 (€699 for students and teachers), with the step-up configuration adding €100 for double the internal storage and Touch ID.
A proper MacBook with an everyday processor
The MacBook Neo did not arrive to be everyone’s laptop. It has a specific audience — but at the same time, quite a broad one.
This is a proper MacBook with a more modest processor, yet in daily use you barely notice that small chip inside and quickly forget it is a smartphone processor.
That is because macOS is a lean and streamlined operating system, extremely well optimised, giving access to everything any other MacBook can do — just with lower limits.
Editing a very heavy video project or running intensive development work on the MacBook Neo may not be the best idea — the processor will struggle to keep up, and having many applications open simultaneously will eventually take its toll.
However, for anyone who spends most of their computer time on simpler tasks — writing, emails, presentations, light photo and video editing — the machine is extremely capable.
We noticed no slowdown in the most common everyday tasks, and after three months of using the MacBook Neo as our primary work laptop, we can say it is a very well-rounded companion.
Battery life that goes the distance
The more modest processor and macOS’s deep optimisation predictably translate into very good battery life on the MacBook Neo.
There were several days when we left home early in the morning with the laptop and no charger, and came back at the end of the day with enough battery left for a few more hours of use.
At home, we went several days without charging it — because as long as you do not push screen brightness to the maximum or open particularly heavy applications, power consumption is minimal and the 36.5Wh battery holds up very well during moderate use.
The trade-offs that had to be made
To deliver a laptop like the MacBook Neo, Apple inevitably had to make cuts somewhere. While many might assume that meant the display — it did not — the area where compromises are most felt is connectivity.
There are just two USB-C ports and a 3.5mm jack. Nothing else. Those two ports have to handle every possible scenario.
To make matters more limiting, the two USB-C ports are not equal. If you want to connect an external monitor, only the upper port supports this. The lower port cannot recognise an external display and ends up being reserved for charging.
This means that if you are charging the MacBook Neo while using it connected to an external monitor, you have no ports left — forcing a reliance on a hub or adapter whenever multiple connections are needed simultaneously.
Additionally, the keyboard — while very good, as Apple has accustomed us to across its laptop line — has no backlighting. When the light starts to fade, the user has to find another way to see the keys, as the MacBook offers no way to illuminate them.
Design and build quality of a regular MacBook
Apple did not want to follow the same strategy it used years ago with the iPhone 5C by opting for a less premium build. As a result, the construction and design are very similar to the rest of the MacBook range.
Whenever the MacBook Neo is placed on a table, everyone can tell it is an Apple computer. The polished Apple logo is there, the metal body is on point, and all the key identifiers of a MacBook are present.
At no point does the build feel like it reflects the lower price — quality is there in full, and the design remains faithful to the Apple identity.
The screen bezels are fairly noticeable, but this is the same design approach used across many of the company’s models. The 13-inch Liquid Retina IPS panel itself still delivers a good image and is a great option for consuming different types of media.
A solid option for a wide range of users
Overall, the MacBook Neo is the laptop that many people convince themselves is not right for them once they hear it runs a smartphone processor — when in reality, it is exactly what they need.
This is a laptop with a solid metal build — everything you would expect from a MacBook. It has a very well-executed Liquid Retina display with no compromise on image quality, and uses the same keyboard as considerably more expensive models.
Battery life is also something to envy — it easily lasts the whole day. Apple claims up to 16 hours per charge, but in more realistic use it went several days without charging, since use is not constant and tasks tend to be light.
The metal chassis gives it greater durability while delivering a premium feel at a more accessible price.
Having a smartphone processor in no way got in the way of using the MacBook Neo day-to-day. Excel spreadsheets opened without issue, text appeared as typed with no lag, and we even stretched it to 1080p video editing and photo editing tasks without problems.
It is worth bearing in mind that despite having only two USB-C ports, the Neo does not offer the same capabilities from both. The upper port is the more capable one, supporting external monitor connection without issue.
The lower port is adequate for charging (no power adapter is included in the box) and for connecting less demanding devices. That said, relying on an adapter will become a regular necessity, as two USB-C ports is still quite limiting.
Even so, the MacBook Neo manages to offer external monitor connectivity, compatibility with a range of USB-C devices, and the design and form factor of a traditional MacBook that has always captivated its audience.
The iPhone processor proved more than capable across all common everyday tasks, with no signs of lag or performance issues throughout our time with it.
The MacBook Neo is, in the end, the laptop that the vast majority of users are actually looking for — but often end up spending more on a higher-end model that does more than they need, simply because a lower price raises doubts.
Apple has managed to capture attention by launching a more distinctive and accessible product without compromising the user experience or the build quality.
- Metal build quality
- Good multi-hour/day battery life
- Very comfortable keyboard for writing
- Only 2 USB-C ports and just one supports external devices such as a monitor
- Large bezels around the screen
The base MacBook Neo has a starting RRP of €799 (€699 for students and teachers), with the step-up configuration adding €100 for double the internal storage and Touch ID.
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