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

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Looking for a small, light, and budget-friendly MacBook that you can use at home, at work, or on the road? In the past, that would have been a simple decision, as you likely would have opted for a 13-inch MacBook Air. But with the introduction of the MacBook Neo, there are now two contenders in that space.

Both the Neo and 13-inch Air appear similar, at least on the surface. Both weigh in at 2.7 pounds and are almost the same size. (The Air is slightly larger, but not enough to make any practical difference.) Screen size differs a bit. The display on the Air measures 13.6 inches, while the Neo is a bit smaller at 13 inches. Both support Apple Intelligence if AI is important to you.

Peek beneath the surface, however, and more significant differences come into focus. The Neo starts at just $599, a price that seems hard to resist. The 13-inch Air starts at $1,099. Not bad, but maybe more than you'd want to spend, especially if you're on a budget.

Also: Apple's $599 MacBook Neo hands-on: This budget laptop makes me worried for Windows 

For your $599, the Neo comes with just 8GB of RAM, which you can't upgrade, compared with 16GB on the basic Air. The Neo offers 256GB of storage. For $699, you can bump that up to 512GB. By spending that extra $100, you also get Touch ID, which doesn't come with the base version. The base Air starts with 512GB of storage and includes Touch ID.

Another major difference is in the processor. To cut costs, the Neo is equipped with an A18 Pro, the same chip found in the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. The Air has long been powered by Apple's M-class processors, with the latest model featuring an M5 chip.

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

Apple promises up to 16 hours of battery life on the Neo and 18 hours on the Air. On the fun side, the Neo comes in a range of vibrant colors -- Indigo, Blush, Citrus, and Silver. The Air is stuck with the usual paint jobs, including Sky Blue, Silver, Starlight, and Midnight.

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

There is one more wrinkle here. Instead of shelling out at least $1,099 for the latest MacBook Air, you can pick up an older model for less. Though Apple no longer sells prior generations of the Air, you can find a used one on Amazon. For example, the 2023 M2 MacBook Air with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage sells for around $700.

Which one is the better choice? Let's dive into the details.

Specifications

You should buy the MacBook Neo if...

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

1. You want the cheapest option

At just $599, the base Neo is considerably less expensive than the base M5 Air at $1,099. Even a used Air with an older M-series chip will cost you more than a Neo. If you need the 512GB of storage and Touch ID on your Neo, be prepared to pay $699. Though that's more comparable to what you might spend for an older Air, the Neo is brand new and comes with a one-year warranty.

Also: A $500 MacBook Neo might've saved me from my college laptop nightmare

2. Your needs are light and you want an entry-level MacBook

Don't need a powerful PC processor or lots of memory or storage? The Neo is the way to go. Though some of the specs seem lightweight on paper, the Neo will handle most common tasks, such as web browsing, email, streaming videos, and editing photos.

Also: How to get the MacBook Neo $499 education price - qualifications to know

3. You're looking for a backup or secondary Mac, especially for travel

Maybe you already have a larger and beefier MacBook Pro or MacBook Air and are looking for a second MacBook to take on the road. The Neo fits this niche perfectly. You can easily use it at an airport, on an airplane, or in a similar setting. And the long-lasting battery ensures you can use it most of the day without needing a recharge.

You should buy the MacBook Air if...

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1. You don't mind spending to get the most bang for your buck

With the latest M-series processor and more memory and storage options, the Air is an ideal choice for people who don't want to skimp on features or performance. If you feel that the specs on the Neo will be too light for your needs, you'd be better off spending the money on an Air.

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

2. You need a MacBook for more demanding tasks

If you're a developer, graphics artist, video editor, or other professional, the Air is the better choice. The beefier processor and greater memory and storage all ensure that you can install and run the applications you need. More demanding tasks like video editing and heavy multitasking require more power, and the Air won't disappoint here.

Also: M5 MacBook Pro vs. M4 MacBook Air: I compared Apple's most popular laptops, and this one wins

3. You don't mind saving money by getting a used Air

Want the Air but don't want to pay the $1,099 price tag? You can save yourself some money by opting for an older, used model. Though you won't find one at Apple or other physical retailers, you can pick one up on Amazon. Prices on the M2 start at around $700. You'll need to pony up more cash to outfit one with more memory and storage. But this may still be worth considering.

Final thoughts

Which of the two would I recommend? That really depends on how you plan to use it. If your needs are light or you already own one MacBook and want a second one, go for the more budget-friendly Neo. If your needs are heavier and you don't mind paying more, grab the M5 Air. A used Air is also an option, but I'd still steer you toward the newest model with no wear or tear and a full one-year warranty.