What the MacBook Neo is, and what it isn’t

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Apple launched its most affordable laptop ever yesterday, the MacBook Neo. It is a product that I believe has been in Apple’s pipeline for years and it is a significant product for a number of reasons. 

While the announcement was met with mostly positive reactions—thanks to its lower price of $599 ($499 for students and teachers) and bold colors (the Citrus shade is sure to be copied by competitors and appliance makers); a quick look at Reddit and Threads reveals some negative reactions. Critics argue that the MacBook Neo falls short, pointing to issues like only 8GB of unified memory, the lack of a backlit keyboard, and the absence of MagSafe. They''re not getting it.

At the core of early confusion is a misunderstanding of what this device is and who it is for. So, let’s break it down.

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Apple launches $799 MacBook Neo

Apple capped off its week of new product annoouncements by announcing the highly anticipated MacBook Neo, a US $599 ($799 CAD) consumer laptop featuring a 13-inch liquid retina display, an Apple A18 Pro chip, 8 GB of RAM, 16 hours of battery life, and Apple Intelligence capabilities. The Macbook Neo comes in an array of colours, including silver, blush (pink), citrus (yellow), and Indigo (blue). It ships qith 256 GB of storage with an option for 512GB and Touch ID for extra.  Pre-orders are available today for shipping on March 11. The MacBook Neo seems to be targetting Windows and Chromebook switchers.

Premium features trickle downwards for Apple's iPhone 17e and iPad Air

Apple began its week of new product reveals by launching the iPhone 17e, and the iPad Air in 11-and-13 inch. configurations. The latest updates are geared towards the mid range of the consumer market but offer a variety of desireable features previously avaiable in more expensive segments.

iPhone 17e comes in black, white, and soft pink in 256GB and 512GB storage capacities, starting at $899 (CAD). It features an A19 SoC, double the storage from previous e-series iPhones (from 128-256GB), and full-magsafe support for chargers and accessories. Most importantly, the spec bump makes it more compatible with AI workflows, just in time for Apple Intelligence features around the corner.

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Apple announces March 4 event, new MacBooks expected

Apple has sent out invitations for its first event of 2026. Taking place on March 4 in select New York City, London, and Shanghai locations. Given that Apple has historically announced Macbook Airs (2024) and Mac and iPad refreshes (2025) in time for Spring, speculation is running high that we might see those long rumoured 12.9-inch MacBooks (powered by A18 processors).

The return of the MacBook

The invitation, which was sent to chosen Apple bloggers, shows the Apple logo rendered in various colours in liquid glass. High chance those colors, including blue, yellow, and green could be what the sub US$800 notebooks could be coming in.

If this is the successor to the much beloved, but underpowered 2015 MacBook, it could cover much needed gaps in Apple's educational market, as well as entice PC users seeking a powerful and portable alternative to now unsupported Windows 10 notebooks. 

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