What’s that one laptop that comes to mind the moment someone talks about reliability? Even in 2026, the answer is a MacBook. But owning a MacBook has always been associated with spending close to Rs 1 lakh to get your hands on the latest device. However, that is no longer the case. Apple’s latest laptop, the MacBook Neo, was just launched at a starting price of Rs 69,900. This makes it cost less than a vanilla iPhone 17 and just Rs 5,000 more than the latest iPhone 17e.
SurveyAt such a tempting price, the MacBook Neo is surely a device worth paying attention to. And here are 5 reasons why you may want to pick one up for yourself.
Also read: Apple launches new MacBook Air M5, what are the upgrades over M4 MacBook?
Costs less than a 13-inch iPad Air M4
The first point is ofcourse, the price. Starting at Rs 69,900 for all users and at Rs 59,990 for those eligible for an education discount, the new MacBook costs less than the iPad Air M4 and even the iPhone 17e. And this is a big factor for those looking for a low-cost MacBook just to get by their day-to-day tasks.
Until now, buying a MacBook required spending significantly more. With MacBook Neo, Apple is rewriting that narrative. Even at this price, you still get a durable aluminium body, Apple silicon performance and the macOS experience. And that combination hasn’t really been seen before in this segment.
Promising performance for the price
Unlike the other MacBooks that run on Apple’s M-series chipsets, the MacBook Neo is powered by the A18 Pro chip. This is the same chip that powers the iPhone 16 Pro. In the MacBook Neo, the chipset enables the laptop to handle everyday tasks with ease. Apple, in its press release, said that the MacBook Neo is 50% faster for common activities such as web browsing compared to the bestselling PC laptop with the latest Intel Core Ultra 5 chip.
The chip also includes a 16 core Neural Engine that powers Apple Intelligence features and other AI driven tools. So be it summarising notes, editing photos or multitasking between apps like Safari, Excel, Canva and Messages, the MacBook Neo’s got your back.
The laptop comes with a fanless design, which means that it will run quieter than other machines.
Gorgeous display
For most users like students, professionals, and creators, the display quality is an important factor while picking up a new laptop. And Apple says the MacBook Neo’s panel is brighter and has a higher resolution than many laptops available in the same price bracket. Now considering Apple’s reputation for including superior quality displays in their machines, this claim is quite believable.
Talking in terms of specifications, the laptop features a 13-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2408 by 1506 and brightness up to 500 nits. It also supports one billion colours, which means images, videos and text appear sharp and vibrant.
Apple’s reliability
There is no doubt that one of the biggest reasons people think of buying a MacBook is reliability and Apple’s after-sales support. Every now and then, we see incidents where people easily get a replacement in case their device runs into an issue. And if not a replacement, Apple’s after-sales support usually assists with the best options possible. And for budget conscious customers, this kind of after-sales support matters even more since they might want to get the best out of their devices for as long as possible. The MacBook Neo might be worth buying simply because of Apple’s reputation and reliability.
Entry into the Apple ecosystem
If you are someone who already owns an iPhone or plans to buy other Apple devices in the future, the MacBook Neo could be one of the easiest and most affordable ways to step into the Apple ecosystem.
Once inside the ecosystem, features like Handoff, Universal Clipboard and iPhone Mirroring allow your MacBook and iPhone to work together seamlessly. You can start writing an email on your MacBook and finish it on your phone, copy text on one device and paste it on another, or even access your iPhone directly from the laptop.
MacBook Neo also runs macOS Tahoe, which comes with built in apps like Safari, Messages, Photos and FaceTime, along with Apple Intelligence features designed to make everyday tasks easier.
Also read: Apple MacBook Neo is here and it costs less than an iPhone: India price and all details
Follow Us
Divyanshi Sharma
Divyanshi Sharma is a media and communications professional with over 8 years of experience in the industry. With a strong background in tech journalism, she has covered everything from the latest gadgets to gaming trends and brings a sharp editorial lens to every story. She holds a master’s diploma in mass communication and a bachelor’s degree in English literature. Her love for writing and gaming began early—often skipping classes to try out the latest titles—which naturally evolved into a career at the intersection of technology and storytelling. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her exploring virtual worlds on her console or PC, or testing out a new laptop she managed to get her hands on. View Full Profile
