The MacBook Neo uses an iPhone chip, and it’s just good enough
Apple’s MacBook Neo uses a repurposed A18 Pro iPhone chip to keep the price low, and the result is a capable laptop for everyday tasks. It matters as Apple’s entry-level Mac becomes more affordable relative to the MacBook Air, whose starting price has risen, though the Neo’s lower price comes with limits.
The current Neo has five GPU cores and 8GB of non-upgradeable memory. It handled browsing, video, photo editing and a game in testing, but effects-heavy 4K editing and some newer games can strain it; its ports also lack USB 4 and Thunderbolt. A reported 2027 refresh may add an A19 Pro chip and 12GB of RAM, which could improve longevity, while the Air is better suited to demanding work.
In short
- The A18 Pro Neo manages everyday Mac tasks well.
- Its 8GB memory and limited ports constrain demanding use.
- A reported 2027 model may offer 12GB of RAM.