Apple's $599 MacBook Neo took aim at Chromebooks
The cheapest Mac laptop Apple has sold arrived in March 2026, priced against budget Windows PCs.
Kivorent News desk, published , 1 min read
$599price of the MacBook Neo
This is a look back at an event from . We wrote it on November 11, 2026, from the sources listed at the end.
Apple introduced the MacBook Neo on March 4, 2026, at $599. A weekly briefing from Distill Intelligence described it as Apple's answer to Chromebooks and low-cost Windows laptops.
It came one day after Apple updated its professional line with the M5 Pro and M5 Max, which start at $2,199.
Why it mattered
Apple had long left the cheapest part of the laptop market to others, particularly in schools, where Chromebooks dominate. A $599 Mac changed that.
It also widened Apple's own range. By the end of 2026 the gap between its cheapest laptop and its touchscreen MacBook Pro was $2,300.
Sources
- Magnificent 7 weekly briefing, March 6, 2026, Distill Intelligence
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