Apple is making the MacBook Neo its cheapest MacBook in India – it’s Rs 69,900 to start. The 13-inch machine uses the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro, and has macOS Tahoe and Apple Intelligence. You can order one now, and they’ll be generally sold from March 11.
What the MacBook Neo is, and how much it costs in India
Apple is showing the MacBook Neo as the new way into their laptop range, with the 8GB/256GB model at Rs 69,900 to begin with. There’s a 512GB version too, at Rs 79,900 when stores sell it, for those who want more memory. Students can get even better prices.
The MacBook Neo comes in silver, blush, indigo and citrus. The company points out the case is made of recycled aluminium, and says this is their Mac with the least carbon footprint yet, and so is for people who want to spend little and care about the environment.
How it looks, the screen, and how well it’s made
The MacBook Neo uses a 13-inch Liquid Retina screen – 3:2, 2,408 x 1,506 pixels, and 60Hz. Apple says the screen is 500 nits bright and can show a billion colors, making everyday media and work better.
The Neo weighs 1.23 kg, so is light for a 13-inch laptop, and is slim because it doesn’t need a fan. It has the Magic Keyboard, but some versions don’t have lights on the keys, and Touch ID is only on the higher-memory models. There’s a 1080p FaceTime camera above the screen.
How it works with the A18 Pro, and memory choices
Inside is the A18 Pro chip – the same one in the newest phones – with 8GB of memory to start. Apple says the A18 Pro has a 5-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine, for good day-to-day work and AI on the machine, without needing a fan.
Apple says the MacBook Neo can do normal jobs better than similar Intel laptops, and some AI jobs on the machine can be up to three times faster. Memory starts at 256GB, and can be raised to 512GB for those who need more space.
AI features on the machine, and privacy
macOS Tahoe has Apple Intelligence tools, like Writing Tools, Live Translation and iPhone Mirroring – which lets you control your phone and get phone messages on the laptop screen – to make it easier for students, people making content, and those working from home.
The Neural Engine does a lot of Apple Intelligence work on the machine, which Apple says keeps your data on it. This local work promises faster results for some things, and means you don’t need to send private data to cloud services for normal AI work.
Battery, how it connects, and when you can get it
The battery is 36.5Wh, and can last up to 16 hours depending on what you do. The fact it doesn’t need a fan keeps the case thin and quiet, and the two speakers on the sides support Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos for better sound in a small package.
It has two USB-C ports – one with USB 3 and DisplayPort, the other at USB 2 speed – and a 3.5mm headphone socket. It connects with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 6. You can order in India now, and it will be in stores and online from March 11 for everyone.
In all, the MacBook Neo is for people who want a modern Mac experience, AI on the machine, good battery life, and a small, colourful design. The mix of the A18 Pro, macOS Tahoe and Apple Intelligence makes it a good new choice for people buying their first Mac.
