Apple Launches MacBook Neo, Its Most Affordable Laptop Starting at ₹69,900

Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Apple has officially launched the MacBook Neo, its most affordable laptop ever, marking a major shift in the company’s strategy to attract budget-conscious buyers. Priced starting at ₹69,900, the new MacBook aims to expand Apple’s presence in classrooms and homes, where low-cost Windows laptops and Chromebooks have traditionally dominated.

For years, the MacBook Air served as Apple’s entry-level laptop, but the introduction of the MacBook Neo significantly lowers the barrier to entry for users seeking a Mac experience. The launch follows months of speculation, with the “Neo” branding appearing in Apple documentation shortly before the official announcement.

The MacBook Neo features a sleek recycled aluminium enclosure and a fanless design, similar to the MacBook Air. It comes with a 13-inch Liquid Retina display offering a 2408 × 1506 resolution and 500 nits of peak brightness. However, to maintain a lower price point, it does not include the ProMotion high-refresh-rate display available on higher-end MacBook models.

In a notable shift, the MacBook Neo is powered by the A18 Pro chip, the same processor used in the iPhone 16 Pro, rather than Apple’s typical M-series chips used in MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models.

CPU (2 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores)
5-core GPU
8GB RAM
Storage options up to 512GB

The laptop is equipped with a 36.5Wh battery, which Apple claims can deliver up to 16 hours of video streaming on a single charge. The MacBook Neo ships with a 20W charger in the box.
To achieve the lower price, Apple has made a few compromises, including:
Non-backlit keyboard
Two USB-C ports (USB 3 and USB 2 standards)
No MagSafe charging port
HD webcam
Two-speaker audio system
Touch ID is available only on the higher-end 512GB variant.

The MacBook Neo will be available in several vibrant colours including Indigo, Citrus, Blush, and Silver.

The MacBook Neo is priced at ₹69,900 for the 256GB model, while the 512GB variant costs ₹79,900.
Pre-orders have begun on Apple’s official website, and the laptop will be available for purchase from March 11, 2026.
With the launch of the MacBook Neo, Apple is clearly targeting students, first-time Mac users, and budget buyers, expanding its reach into the affordable laptop segment while maintaining its signature design and ecosystem.