MacBook Neo vs. MacBook Air: Which is the better choice for you?

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

Follow ZDNET: Add america arsenic a preferred source on Google.

Looking for a small, light, and budget-friendly MacBook that you tin usage astatine home, astatine work, oregon connected the road? In the past, that would person been a elemental decision, arsenic you apt would person opted for a 13-inch MacBook Air. But with the instauration of the MacBook Neo, determination are present 2 contenders successful that space.

Both the Neo and 13-inch Air look similar, astatine slightest connected the surface. Both measurement successful astatine 2.7 pounds and are astir the aforesaid size. (The Air is somewhat larger, but not capable to marque immoderate applicable difference.) Screen size differs a bit. The show connected the Air measures 13.6 inches, portion the Neo is simply a spot smaller astatine 13 inches. Both enactment Apple Intelligence if AI is important to you.

Peek beneath the surface, however, and much important differences travel into focus. The Neo starts astatine conscionable $599, a terms that seems hard to resist. The 13-inch Air starts astatine $1,099. Not bad, but possibly much than you'd privation to spend, particularly if you're connected a budget.

Also: Apple's $599 MacBook Neo hands-on: This fund laptop makes maine disquieted for Windows 

For your $599, the Neo comes with conscionable 8GB of RAM, which you can't upgrade, compared with 16GB connected the basal Air. The Neo offers 256GB of storage. For $699, you tin bump that up to 512GB. By spending that other $100, you besides get Touch ID, which doesn't travel with the basal version. The basal Air starts with 512GB of retention and includes Touch ID.

Another large quality is successful the processor. To chopped costs, the Neo is equipped with an A18 Pro, the aforesaid spot recovered successful the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. The Air has agelong been powered by Apple's M-class processors, with the latest exemplary featuring an M5 chip.

From there, the differences are much subtle but inactive noteworthy. The Neo comes with a Multi-Touch trackpad, portion the Air provides a Force Touch trackpad. The Neo comes with Wi-Fi 6E, portion the Air comes with Wi-Fi 7.

Apple promises up to 16 hours of artillery beingness connected the Neo and 18 hours connected the Air. On the amusive side, the Neo comes successful a scope of vibrant colors -- Indigo, Blush, Citrus, and Silver. The Air is stuck with the accustomed overgarment jobs, including Sky Blue, Silver, Starlight, and Midnight.

Also: Everything Apple conscionable announced: The $599 MacBook Neo, M5 Pro, iPhone 17e, and more

There is 1 much wrinkle here. Instead of shelling retired astatine slightest $1,099 for the latest MacBook Air, you tin prime up an older exemplary for less. Though Apple nary longer sells anterior generations of the Air, you tin find a utilized 1 connected Amazon. For example, the 2023 M2 MacBook Air with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of retention sells for astir $700.

Which 1 is the amended choice? Let's dive into the details.

Specifications

You should bargain the MacBook Neo if...

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

1. You privation the cheapest option

At conscionable $599, the basal Neo is considerably little costly than the basal M5 Air astatine $1,099. Even a utilized Air with an older M-series spot volition outgo you much than a Neo. If you request the 512GB of retention and Touch ID connected your Neo, beryllium prepared to wage $699. Though that's much comparable to what you mightiness walk for an older Air, the Neo is marque caller and comes with a one-year warranty.

Also: A $500 MacBook Neo might've saved maine from my assemblage laptop nightmare

2. Your needs are airy and you privation an entry-level MacBook

Don't request a almighty PC processor oregon tons of representation oregon storage? The Neo is the mode to go. Though immoderate of the specs look lightweight connected paper, the Neo volition grip astir communal tasks, specified arsenic web browsing, email, streaming videos, and editing photos.

Also: How to get the MacBook Neo $499 acquisition terms - qualifications to know

3. You're looking for a backup oregon secondary Mac, particularly for travel

Maybe you already person a larger and beefier MacBook Pro oregon MacBook Air and are looking for a 2nd MacBook to instrumentality connected the road. The Neo fits this niche perfectly. You tin easy usage it astatine an airport, connected an airplane, oregon successful a akin setting. And the long-lasting artillery ensures you tin usage it astir of the time without needing a recharge.

You should bargain the MacBook Air if...

Jason Hiner/ZDNET

1. You don't caput spending to get the astir bang for your buck

With the latest M-series processor and much representation and retention options, the Air is an perfect prime for radical who don't privation to skimp connected features oregon performance. If you consciousness that the specs connected the Neo volition beryllium excessively airy for your needs, you'd beryllium amended disconnected spending the wealth connected an Air.

Also: The caller MacBook Air M5 costs $100 much - here's what that gets you

2. You request a MacBook for much demanding tasks

If you're a developer, graphics artist, video editor, oregon different professional, the Air is the amended choice. The beefier processor and greater representation and retention each guarantee that you tin instal and tally the applications you need. More demanding tasks similar video editing and dense multitasking necessitate much power, and the Air won't disappoint here.

Also: M5 MacBook Pro vs. M4 MacBook Air: I compared Apple's astir fashionable laptops, and this 1 wins

3. You don't caput redeeming wealth by getting a utilized Air

Want the Air but don't privation to wage the $1,099 terms tag? You tin prevention yourself immoderate wealth by opting for an older, utilized model. Though you won't find 1 astatine Apple oregon different carnal retailers, you tin prime 1 up connected Amazon. Prices connected the M2 commencement astatine astir $700. You'll request to pony up much currency to outfit 1 with much representation and storage. But this whitethorn inactive beryllium worthy considering.

Final thoughts

Which of the 2 would I recommend? That truly depends connected however you program to usage it. If your needs are airy oregon you already ain 1 MacBook and privation a 2nd one, spell for the much budget-friendly Neo. If your needs are heavier and you don't caput paying more, drawback the M5 Air. A utilized Air is besides an option, but I'd inactive steer you toward the newest exemplary with nary deterioration oregon teardrop and a afloat one-year warranty.