Windows rivals to MacBook Neo are here - but I'm more excited for Google's response

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ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

The MacBook Neo raised the barroom for the fund PC market.
Existing fund PCs are inferior to the Neo.
Google whitethorn beryllium amended positioned to vie with the Neo than Windows is.

Apple's $599 MacBook Neo was a daze to the Windows PC marketplace -- and that's a bully thing. The astir affordable MacBook ever brings a caller acquisition to fund laptops, forcing Microsoft and its partners to respond with higher-tier products that tin really compete.

Let's look it, the low-end of the PC marketplace is simply a small dismal: uninspired displays, clunky signifier factors, and lackluster performance. Sure, you get what you wage for, but the Neo is truthful fashionable due to the fact that it punches supra its terms point. In fact, since its March 2026 release, it's been flying disconnected shelves, exceeding Apple's projected numbers and resulting successful a backlog on Apple's authoritative site.

Also: We compared the MacBook Neo to its closest Windows and Chromebook rivals: by the specs

You tin stake that Microsoft is moving connected a follow-up. It's lone been a fewer months, but we're starting to spot the archetypal PCs astatine akin prices with akin features, including immoderate rumored developments. We've already identified a fistful of Windows PCs (and Chromebooks) that could rival the MacBook Neo, but however bash they really clasp up?

The side-by-side

PC makers person grown accustomed to releasing products of a definite caliber successful this terms range. That means lower-resolution displays, little costly physique materials specified arsenic integrative alternatively than aluminum, and humble processor technology. When you enactment these laptops adjacent to the Neo, the differences are glaring.

For example, instrumentality a look astatine this laptop that seems similar a coagulated rival connected the surface: LG's Gram Book 15-inch for, you guessed it: $599. It's a slick-looking laptop with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of retention -- the aforesaid arsenic the Neo.

The processors are besides comparable. The Gram Book houses an Intel Core Ultra 5 115U successful Intel's Meteor Lake bid from 2024, and the Neo's A18 Pro spot is besides from that year. Additionally, the Gram Book has mode much ports than the Neo: 2 USB-Cs, 2 USB-As, an HDMI, a headphone jack, and a fastener slot.

But the Neo pulls up erstwhile you look astatine the details. Its show is smaller, but it has a 2408 x 1506 solution compared to the 1920 x 1080 FHD connected the Gram Book, meaning it volition look acold sharper. The Gram Book's matte show is bordered by integrative bezels, whereas the Neo's all-glass sheet feels mode much premium. The Neo's aluminum physique besides beats retired the Gram Book's mostly integrative chassis.

Also: Framework Laptop 13 Pro vs. MacBook Neo: These Windows rivals are much akin than expected

And that's not adjacent mentioning the Apple integrations the Neo has for iPhone users: Messages, FaceTime, Phone Mirroring, and quality-of-life features similar AirDrop. Windows' smartphone app doesn't compare.

Google rising?

The Neo surely converted immoderate Windows users, but it's not the lone alternate to Microsoft's ubiquitous operating system. Google's ChromeOS offers a lightweight, streamlined level with immoderate precise affordable devices.

I made the case that the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 is the closest Chromebook rival to the Neo, adjacent doing a fewer things better. It has a stunning OLED display, a lightweight build, and fantastic keyboard and speakers. Plus, the MediaTek Kompanio ARM-based processor is accelerated and battery-efficient. But it's much expensive. The Neo inactive wins connected value.

ChromeOS is constricted successful functionality successful examination to the decades of maturation that MacOS has nether its belt. But Google besides astir surely has plans to compete. Rumors of a ChromeOS redesign person been circulating for months, and Google has a large accidental present to spell head-to-head with Apple successful its smartphone integrations.

If Google tin bring much Android features to ChromeOS, it'll articulation Apple with autochthonal features that unify the laptop and smartphone acquisition -- thing Windows doesn't have. That could beryllium huge.

Also: The lawsuit for buying a MacBook Neo close present - particularly for students

One happening is certain: The MacBook Neo has pushed PC and Chromebook manufacturers to acceptable a caller modular for fund devices, and this is large quality for consumers. We'll spot if Microsoft tin propulsion disconnected devices successful 2026 that tin genuinely rival the king of fund computing.

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