MacBook Neo hands-on review: Value without big compromises
With aluminium build, a capable A18 Pro chip, and vibrant colour options, the MacBook Neo challenges expectations for sub-one-lakh-taka laptops in Bangladesh
Since the very beginning, buying a MacBook has meant spending at least Tk1 lakh — a significant amount for most buyers. Apple's premium pricing has kept its laptops largely out of reach for students, young professionals, and everyday users.
That has changed with the newly launched MacBook Neo.
Priced at $599 (approximately Tk66,000 at current exchange rates), and even lower with student discounts abroad, the MacBook Neo is Apple's push into the budget laptop segment.
It does not come with any revolutionary new technology, but it combines components with a proven track record in one package.
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Mobile chip on a laptop
It runs on Apple's A18 Pro, the same chip found inside last year's iPhone 16 Pro. Many might question how a smartphone chip performs inside a laptop, but the benchmarks tell a surprising story.
In multi-core performance, the Neo's benchmark figures are comparable to Apple's M1 — a chip now more than five years old, though one that still holds its own for everyday tasks. Single-core performance is much stronger than the M1, edging close to M3 scores.
How does this translate in real life? Web browsing with multiple tabs open, excel sheets, emails, word processing, video and music streaming are all handled simultaneously without much pressure. Overall, the system runs fluid and responsive in a manner that budget Windows laptops at this price might not match.
The Neo packs a modest 8GB of RAM, a bit of a bummer in 2026, but Apple's intelligent use of swap memory technology allows everyday tasks to run smoothly.
Design and build quality
The Neo sets itself apart from rivals in build quality. At this price point, most competitors come in plastic chassis that flex, with keyboards and hinges that feel wobbly.
The MacBook Neo comes in a full aluminium chassis, and it feels as premium as its pricier siblings. The lid opens with one finger, the keyboard is almost identical to Apple's $3,000 MacBook Pro offering a satisfying and precise typing experience. The catch here is that the Neo's keyboard does not come with a backlight.
The device is available in Citrus, Blush, Silver, and Indigo. Apple has tweaked more than just paint: the accent colours carry through into the software interface, the rubber feet, and even the keycaps.
Display and webcam
The display is a 13-inch LCD panel at around 1440p resolution, delivering 500 nits of brightness — slightly higher than laptops in this price range which is perfectly adequate for indoor use.
However, if you need a color accurate display, do note the Neo lacks the True Tone display found in the pricier MacBooks.
The 1080p webcam handles video calls well, and two USB-C ports cover most connectivity needs.
Battery life and charging
One of the biggest selling points for MacBooks over windows laptops is their unyielding battery life. The Neo packs a smaller battery capacity than the MacBook Air series, but the A18 Pro chip is also a very efficient silicon.
These translate in real life to an excellent battery life. Expect a full day of light to moderate work before needing to plug in again.
Charging is limited to 20W, which may seem modest on paper, but at this price point it is unlikely to be a major drawback for most users.
Who should buy it?
The MacBook Neo is an excellent choice for students, from school through to university. Writers, journalists, and content creators will find it more than capable for their professional needs. It also serves office users well, handling documents, emails, and video calls with ease.
But those with more demanding requirements — long form video editors working with heavy footage, photographers needing colour-accurate displays, or developers running intensive local processes will find the Neo's 8GB RAM to be a big bottleneck since there are no options to upgrade it and the limited display colour gamut a major drawback. Opting for a pricier Mac would be a better investment for them.
Alongside the absence of True Tone and a backlit keyboard, it also lacks a Taptic trackpad. Touch ID is missing too on the base 256GB model, and reserved for the top 512GB variant.
Verdict
The MacBook Neo is not Apple's most powerful laptop, nor is it meant to be. What it represents is more important: a well-executed effort to bring the Apple experience to buyers once priced out, and to open up an entirely new market for the company.
For Bangladesh's growing population of students, freelancers, and young professionals, the Neo arrives as a genuine option rather than a distant aspiration. Apple has made an entry-level laptop that does not feel quite entry-level.
However, currently this laptop is being sold in the Bangladesh market at around Tk86,000. At this price, it is somewhat overpriced compared to the international pricing.
If you need a laptop urgently and have a budget under Tk1 lakh, the MacBook Air M2 is the wiser choice, which offers premium features such as True Tone, Touch ID, a backlit keyboard, and an overall superior experience. The Air M2 is still available for around Tk90,000 for the base 8/256GB variant, and 95,000 for the 16/256GB variant.
However, if you can wait, the price of the Neo is likely to drop in the coming months, which will make it more competitive with Windows alternatives and an easy recommendation.
The MacBook Neo is available at major retailers, including Sumash Tech, Apple Gadgets, Ryans, and Star Tech.
