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8.3 / 10 Score Cnet Score CNET provides expert, unbiased reviews of products and services. When we assign a score, we use a scale of 1-10. Each product we score is evaluated by criteria specific to its category with most assessing pricing, quality, features and performance. Read more on: How we test Apple MacBook Neo $599 at Apple Pros Premium MacBook look and feel at much lower cost
13-inch display not much smaller than Macbook Air's
A18 Pro chip is powerful enough to provide fulfilling MacOS experience
Surprisingly impressive sound from stereo speakers Cons Touch ID costs $100 extra
Baseline 256GB SSD will fill up fast
No MagSafe or fast charging
Smaller battery and shorter battery life than MacBook Air
The "Neo" name is intentional. Apple is signaling that it's going after new users with the MacBook Neo. Namely, those who can't afford to spend more than $1,000 on a laptop. Plus, parents who, having witnessed the level of attention and care teenagers bring to taking care of and keeping track of their possessions, are willing to spend that kind of money on a laptop for their offspring only with great trepidation. The MacBook Neo is certain to become the first new, non-hand-me-down MacBook for many people.
The MacBook Neo is the perfect first laptop for kids. It's by far the most affordable MacBook, yet it still offers the same premium design and durability as Apple's pricier MacBooks. It's also lightweight and compact, making it easy to take to school, and comes in three fun colors (plus standard silver). The Neo costs the same as the cheapest iPhone and lets parents set their kids up with a phone and laptop combo that works well together, costing only $100 more than the cheapest MacBook Air. And unless your kid is a budding filmmaker or building their first LLM, he or she don't need the power of an Air or MacBook Pro.
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