MacBook Neo (2026) Review. The Budget‑Friendly 13‑inch Mac
Apple’s latest entry‑level notebook, the MacBook Neo, hit Australian markets in March 2026 with a price tag of A$899 for the base 256 GB model (A$749 for education). Built around the new A18 Pro chip, a repurposed, “binned” 3 nm processor from iPhone production, the Neo promises a full‑aluminium experience at a price traditionally reserved for Chromebooks and low‑end Windows ultrabooks. Design & Build Unibody aluminium : The Neo retains Apple’s premium feel, offering a sturdy, lightweight chassis in four colour options: Silver, Blush, Citrus and Indigo. Keyboard & Trackpad : A full‑size scissor‑mechanical keyboard with decent travel (but no back‑light) and a conventional mechanical click trackpad. Touch ID is integrated into the power button. Ports : Two USB‑C/Thunderbolt 4 ports and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. No MagSafe, SD‑card slot or HDMI. Overall, the design feels “Mac‑ish” while keeping costs low by omitting the higher‑end accesso...