Apple debuts MacBook Neo to challenge Windows PCs, Chromebooks

Apple has unveiled the MacBook Neo, a $599 laptop powered by the A18 Pro chip, targeting Chromebook and lower-end Windows PC users. This marks one of Apple's most aggressive price-point entries into the PC market in years, aiming at students and first-time buyers. The device ships with 8GB of unified memory, half of the current M4 MacBook Air, reflecting cost trade-offs amid a global memory chip crunch. The launch is part of a broader Apple push that also includes the $599 iPhone 17e and refreshed M5 MacBook Air and Pro models.