MacBook Neo Rivals Chromebooks, Equipped with A18 Pro Chip

Apple launched the new MacBook Neo, a new entry-level laptop (photo: dok. apple )

JAKARTA - After years of rumors, Apple finally launched the new MacBook Neo, a new entry-level laptop with a starting price of 599 US dollars (Rp. 10 million). This is not just a cheap variant, but a strategic move to enter a segment that has been dominated by Chromebooks and affordable Windows notebooks.

From the outside, the Neo MacBook looks like a minimalist version of the MacBook Air. The design remains thin with an aluminum body, 0.5 inches thick, and weighs 2.7 pounds - almost identical to the 13-inch Air, although its dimensions are slightly smaller. Apple clearly does not want the "cheap" to look cheap.

The big change is in the guts. Instead of using M-series chips like the MacBook Air and Pro, Apple installed the A18 Pro - the same chip used in the iPhone 16 Pro. Technically, this isn't the first time a Mac has used an A-series chip; in 2020, Apple released an A12Z-based Developer Transition Kit. But this is the first time a Mac with an iPhone chip has actually been sold to the public.

The A18 Pro carries a 6-core CPU (two performance, four efficiency), a 5-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. Its performance is claimed to be equivalent to the M1 for multicore and close to the M4 for single-core. It's not a performance monster like the M5, but it's enough for daily work, browsing, streaming, light productivity, and basic creative tasks.

Other specifications are trimmed for the price. RAM is only available in 8GB without an upgrade option. 256GB storage is standard, with a 512GB option for $699 that also brings Touch ID. There is no Thunderbolt. Ports consist of two USB-C (USB 3 and USB 2), plus a 3.5mm headphone jack. Simple, but functional.

The screen remains 13 inches with a resolution of 2,408 x 1,506 pixels and a density of 219 ppi. It's not a high-end Retina panel, but it still offers sRGB gamut and brightness up to 500 nits. External screen support is limited to one 4K 60Hz monitor via DisplayPort 1.4 on USB 3.

The 1080p FaceTime HD camera comes without a notch, a design reminiscent of the iPad. The audio system consists of two stereo speakers, not four or six as in the Air and Pro lines, but still supports Spatial Audio for compatible devices. Apple also embeds an array of two microphones with directional beamforming and iPhone-style voice processing.

The battery life is claimed to reach 16 hours of video streaming or 11 hours of wireless browsing, supported by a 36.5 watt-hour battery that is recharged via USB-C, not MagSafe.

Strategically, the MacBook Neo is a new entry point into the macOS ecosystem. Apple has avoided price wars below $700. Now, with Neo, the company seems to want to expand its user base without sacrificing design identity and user experience.

The product is available for pre-order and will start shipping on March 11, available in four colors: Silver, Blush, Citrus, and Indigo.

This move feels like a very calculated experiment. Apple isn't just selling cheap laptops; they're testing whether a premium brand can play in the mass market price class without losing its aura. If successful, the Neo MacBook could be the new generation's "gateway device" - the first laptop that opens the way to iPhones, iPads, Apple Music, and their AI-based services.