- Updated: March 11, 2026
- 6 min read
MacBook Neo Preorder Details: Price, Release Date, and Buying Guide
Skip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIPolicyHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonThe VergeThe Verge logo.Here’s where you can buy Apple’s budget-friendly MacBook NeoGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechAppleCloseApplePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All AppleHere’s where you can buy Apple’s budget-friendly MacBook NeoThe much-anticipated laptop, which runs on Apple’s iPhone 16 chipset, is finally here.The much-anticipated laptop, which runs on Apple’s iPhone 16 chipset, is finally here.by Cameron FaulknerCloseCameron FaulknerEditor, CommercePosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Cameron Faulkner and Brandon WidderCloseBrandon WidderSenior Editor, E-CommercePosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Brandon WidderUpdated Mar 11, 2026, 1:34 PM UTCLinkShareIf you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The VergePart OfAll the news about Apple’s MacBook Neo, iPhone 17E, and moresee all updates The MacBook Neo is Apple’s newest, most affordable laptop. Our final verdict? It punches way above similarly-priced laptops in terms of design, and the performance isn’t bad either.If you can’t afford the MacBook Air, or you aren’t sure if its extra features or power are worth it to you, the Neo may be a really good pick. This laptop starts at $599, and goes down to $499 if you’re able to get an educational discount.At first glance, the Neo is not that different from Apple’s other laptops, even if its four colors are more divisive. It features an aluminum design, a 13-inch (2408 x 1506) display, two USB-C ports, a 3.5mm audio jack, and side-firing speakers.You also get a 1080p camera, a multi-touch trackpad, and a color-matched Magic Keyboard (the 512GB model also includes a TouchID sensor). That said, it lacks Thunderbolt ports and MagSafe, which come standard on the MacBook Air.RelatedApple announces M5 MacBook Air and updated MacBook ProApple’s new M5 Max feels like a huge upgrade if you bought your laptop three years agoIn terms of performance, think of it as if the guts of the iPhone 16 got transplanted into a 13-inch laptop.It should be fast enough for streaming, browsing the web, and most everyday use cases thanks to Apple’s A18 Pro chip, but it won’t replace a more powerful macOS machine (especially with only 8GB of RAM). In short, it’s going to be an extremely popular graduation or back-to-school gift.Here’s where you can buy the Neo in its 256GB or 512GB configuration.MacBook Neo (256GB)$599$599$599 at Amazon$599 at Apple$599 at Best BuyMacBook Neo (512GB)$699$699$699 at Amazon$699 at Apple$699 at Best BuyVerge DealsSign up for Verge Deals to get deals on products we’ve tested sent to your inbox weekly.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.Update, March 11th: This post now reflects that the Neo is available to purchase online and in stores. However, the $25 gift card promotion at Best Buy has expired.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Cameron FaulknerCloseCameron FaulknerEditor, CommercePosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Cameron FaulknerBrandon WidderCloseBrandon WidderSenior Editor, E-CommercePosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Brandon WidderAppleCloseApplePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All AppleDealsCloseDealsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All DealsGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsLaptopsCloseLaptopsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All LaptopsmacOSClosemacOSPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All macOSTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechVerge ShoppingCloseVerge ShoppingPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All Verge ShoppingMore in: All the news about Apple’s MacBook Neo, iPhone 17E, and moreWhere to buy the new iPhone 17ESheena Vasani and Cameron Faulkner1:25 PM UTCThe Vergecast crew will be talking Apple live at 11AM ET.David PierceMar 4iPhone 17e hands-on: nothing more, nothing lessNilay PatelMar 4Most PopularMost PopularMacBook Neo review: the Mac for the massesYou Could Be NextProject Hail Mary is popcorn sci-fi at its bestSonos just launched Play, a new $299 portable speakerGrammarly will keep using authors’ identities without permission unless they opt outVerge DealsSign up for Verge Deals to get deals on products we’ve tested sent to your inbox weekly.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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