Hands-On With the MacBook Neo at Apple's March event - CNET

XTechComputingHands-On With the MacBook Neo at Apple's March eventSee photos of Apple's new budget laptop that costs $500 less than the cheapest MacBook Air.Matt ElliottMatt Elliott is a senior editor at CNET with a focus on laptops and streaming services. Matt has more than 20 years of experience testing and reviewing laptops. He has worked for CNET in New York and San Francisco and now lives in New Hampshire. When he's not writing about laptops, Matt likes to play and watch sports. He loves to play tennis and hates the number of streaming services he has to subscribe to in order to watch the various sports he wants to watch.See full bioMatt Elliott March 4, 2026 9:49 a.m. PT1 of 13Josh Goldman/CNETMacBook Neo in citrus and blushThe MacBook Neo comes in four colors, including citrus (light yellow) and blush (pale pink).2 of 13Josh Goldman/CNETMacBook Neo in citrusCitrus or blush? (Or would you rather get the Neo in indigo or silver?)3 of 13Josh Goldman/CNETMacBook Neo top cover in citrusCitrus is the color I'd pick.4 of 13Josh Goldman/CNETMacBook Neo closed in citrusThe citrus color looks lemon-y fresh.5 of 13Josh Goldman/CNETMacBook Neo keyboard with Touch IDYou can upgrade to a 512GB SSD that also includes a Touch ID keyboard, but the MacBook Neo does not offer keyboard backlighting.6 of 13Josh Goldman/CNETMacBook Neo is compact and affordableThe Neo looks like a MacBook Air, but is just a bit smaller and $500 cheaper.7 of 13Josh Goldman/CNETMacBook Neo's trio of portsThe MacBook Neo offers only three ports: two USB-C and a headphone jack.8 of 13Josh Goldman/CNETWhere are the ports?You won't find any ports on the right side of the MacBook Neo -- just a slot for the side-firing speaker.9 of 13Josh Goldman/CNETFour color optionsFrom top to bottom, the MacBook Neo comes in blush, silver, indigo or citrus.10 of 13Josh Goldman/CNET13-inch Liquid Retina displayThe MacBook Neo has a 13-inch display that's only slightly smaller than the 13.6-inch MacBook Air.11 of 13Josh Goldman/CNETNeo in indigoThe indigo color is a deep, dark blue.12 of 13Josh Goldman/CNETAll-aluminum bodyNo matter which color you choose, the MacBook Neo features an all-aluminum body.13 of 13Josh Goldman/CNETPlay it safe with silverFor traditionalists on a budget, the MacBook Neo comes in basic silver.More GalleriesMy Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's CameraMy Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera20 PhotosHonor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 UltraHonor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra10 PhotosThe Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in AluminumThe Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum23 PhotosSamsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium DesignSamsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design23 PhotosI Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My FavoritesI Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites34 PhotosDo You Know About These 17 Hidden iOS 17 Features?Do You Know About These 17 Hidden iOS 17 Features?18 PhotosAI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?17 Photos