Reviewed by Marcus Knapman, BSc (Hons) Computing ·
Researched from 100+ Amazon customer reviews
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Apple's finally done something interesting with MacBook colours — and I don't just mean adding a slightly different shade of grey. The MacBook Neo 13-inch arrives in proper hues like Citrus and Indigo, complete with matching keyboards that'll make your old Space Grey machine look positively drab.
At £649, this is Apple positioning itself squarely against Chromebooks and budget Windows laptops. The A18 Pro chip promises desktop-class performance, whilst the 13-inch Liquid Retina display should handle everything from spreadsheets to Netflix binges. After diving deep into the specifications and studying what Apple's actually delivering here, I reckon this could be the MacBook that finally makes sense for students and everyday users who've been priced out of Apple's ecosystem.
Let's start with what matters most: performance. The A18 Pro chip isn't just marketing fluff — it's the same silicon powering Apple's latest iPhones, now doing laptop duty. Apple claims this delivers enough grunt for photo editing, spreadsheet work, and even light gaming through Apple Arcade.
The 8GB of unified memory might raise eyebrows if you're coming from the Windows world, but Apple's silicon architecture works differently. That RAM is shared between the CPU and GPU, which means more efficient memory usage than traditional laptops. Still, I'd have preferred 12GB at this price point, especially if you're the type who keeps 47 Chrome tabs open simultaneously.
The 512GB SSD is properly generous for an entry-level machine. You'll fit your entire photo library, a few seasons of downloaded Netflix shows, and still have room for actual work files. Apple's SSD speeds are typically excellent, so boot times and app launches should feel snappy.
The 13-inch Liquid Retina display packs 2408x1506 pixels, which translates to crisp text and detailed images. The 500 nits of brightness means you can actually see what you're doing outdoors — crucial for a laptop designed for students who'll be working everywhere from libraries to coffee shops.
Support for one billion colours sounds like marketing speak, but it matters if you're editing photos or watching films. The colour accuracy should be miles ahead of budget Windows laptops, though professional creatives will still want to step up to a MacBook Pro.
I'll admit it — the colour options are a masterstroke. Blush, Citrus, Indigo, and Silver each come with matching keyboards, which creates a cohesive look that's both playful and sophisticated. After years of every laptop looking identical, it's refreshing to see Apple embrace some personality.
The aluminium construction should handle the inevitable knocks and scrapes of daily use. Apple's build quality typically ages well, and the durable design means this machine should survive a few years of being stuffed into bags and carried around campus.
Apple's claiming up to 16 hours of battery life, which sounds optimistic until you remember how efficient their silicon is. Real-world usage will likely land somewhere between 10-14 hours depending on what you're doing, but that's still comfortably all-day performance.
This matters more than you might think. When every other laptop manufacturer quotes battery life based on watching videos with the screen dimmed to 50 nits, Apple's estimates tend to be more realistic for actual mixed usage.
If you're already using an iPhone, the MacBook Neo becomes significantly more appealing. iPhone Mirroring lets you control your phone from the laptop, whilst Universal Clipboard means you can copy text on one device and paste on another. These features sound gimmicky but become genuinely useful once you're used to them.
However, this ecosystem integration is also the biggest limitation. If you're a Windows power user or rely on specific PC software for work, the transition might be jarring. Some professional applications simply aren't available on macOS, or the Mac versions lag behind their Windows counterparts.
The MacBook Neo hits a sweet spot between affordability and Apple quality. If you're already in the iPhone ecosystem and need a reliable laptop for everyday tasks, this delivers excellent value at £649. However, power users and Windows loyalists should look elsewhere.
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