MacBook Neo vs MacBook Air: Which is the better choice

Apple now offers two compact laptops that look similar at a glance: the 13-inch MacBook Neo and the 13.6-inch MacBook Air. Both weigh about 2.7 pounds and support Apple Intelligence, but their displays, colors, and some key components differ. Price and hardware mark the biggest contrasts.

The Neo starts at $599 with an A18 Pro chip, 8GB of non-upgradeable RAM and 256GB of storage; a $699 Neo adds 512GB and Touch ID. The Air begins at $1,099, ships with an M5 chip, and starts with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Other distinctions include a Multi‑Touch trackpad on the Neo versus Force Touch on the Air, Wi‑Fi 6E versus Wi‑Fi 7, and estimated battery life of up to 16 hours for the Neo and 18 hours for the Air.

The Neo suits buyers on a budget, people with light daily needs like browsing and media, or anyone looking for a lightweight secondary travel machine. The Air targets users who need more performance for demanding work, want greater memory and storage options, or prefer the faster M‑series chip.

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