Introducing MacBook Neo: Apple's Affordable Laptop
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The MacBook Neo has been a hot topic since its global launch in March 2026. This laptop marks Apple's step toward offering a more affordable product amid the turbulent global economic situation, coupled with a chip shortage crisis affecting electronic device prices. The MacBook Neo is an attractive choice for those who want to experience a premium laptop without having to spend heavily on models like the MacBook Air or Pro.
Price and Specifications
In Indonesia, the MacBook Neo was officially launched on May 22, 2026, with an 8GB RAM configuration. This variant is priced starting at Rp10,749,000 for 256GB storage. For those needing larger capacity, a 512GB variant is available at Rp12,999,000. These prices are significantly more affordable compared to the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip, which currently starts at Rp13,599,000 for 16GB RAM and 256GB storage.
Although it comes at a friendlier price, the MacBook Neo does not fully include all the advanced features found in more expensive models. In this article, we share our one-month experience using the MacBook Neo, which may help you decide if you are interested in purchasing it.
Attractive Design and Environmentally Friendly Materials
At first glance, we were immediately captivated by the fresh and appealing color options of the MacBook Neo. The laptop is available in four colors: Silver, Blush, Citrus, and Indigo. We chose Indigo, which gives an elegant impression, featuring a rounded design and consistent details down to the keyboard.
The MacBook Neo's body is made from high-quality aluminum, the same as the MacBook Air and Pro. Apple claims that 60% of the aluminum material used is recycled, making the MacBook Neo one of Apple's most environmentally friendly products to date. Weighing 1.23 kg and measuring 0.5 inches thick, this laptop is quite lightweight and easy to carry around.
Comfortable Keyboard and Trackpad
Typing on the MacBook Neo is very satisfying thanks to the Magic Keyboard, known for its precision and comfort. However, it should be noted that this model does not include a backlit feature, which might be a drawback for some users. Nevertheless, many users accustomed to typing do not mind the absence of this feature.
The MacBook Neo's trackpad is also similar to those on the MacBook Pro and Air, offering a large surface for smooth navigation. Unfortunately, this trackpad does not support Force Touch, which might feel a bit awkward for users who are used to it. Additionally, the 256GB model does not come with Touch ID, while the 512GB model still includes this security feature.
Display and Audio Quality
The MacBook Neo features a 13-inch Liquid Retina display offering brightness up to 500 nits and support for 1 billion colors. Although its screen size is slightly smaller than the MacBook Air, its visual quality is quite satisfying for daily activities such as watching movies or light photo editing. However, compared to the MacBook Pro and Air, the MacBook Neo's display is limited to the sRGB color gamut standard.
The audio system on the MacBook Neo consists of two speakers supporting Spatial Audio, providing a satisfying listening experience. While not as powerful as the MacBook Air's four-speaker system, the sound quality from these dual speakers remains clear and adequate for enjoying music or watching videos.
Performance and Battery Life
The MacBook Neo is powered by the A18 Pro chip, the same chip used in the iPhone 16 Pro. Although its specifications may not be as strong as the M2 chip in the MacBook Air, the MacBook Neo's daily performance remains very satisfying. We encountered no issues performing various activities such as browsing, video editing, or light gaming.
The MacBook Neo's battery life is also commendable. In daily use, this laptop can last a full day, and even more than two days without recharging if usage is not too intensive. During a stress test with many YouTube tabs open, we found that although performance slightly decreased at 4K resolution, the laptop remained stable and did not overheat.
Overall, the MacBook Neo offers an appealing combination of price, design, and performance for users who want to enter the Apple ecosystem without spending too much. With its various advantages, the MacBook Neo could be the right choice for new users as well as those seeking a capable laptop.
