The GPU shortage driven by AI demand from the major technology companies has pushed semiconductor prices up across the board, which has translated into higher prices on laptops, desktops, and computing hardware throughout 2025 and into 2026. Against that backdrop, Amazon is selling the MacBook Neo 256GB at $589, which is $10 below Apple’s official price and, proportionally, one of the most affordable entry points into a current-generation (Apple) laptop the market has seen in years.
A18 Pro, Apple Intelligence, and 16 hours of battery at the most accessible MacBook price available
The MacBook Neo is Apple’s answer to the question of what a capable, affordable Mac looks like in 2026. The A18 Pro chip delivers the performance and AI capabilities of Apple’s best mobile silicon in a laptop that starts below $600, with Apple Intelligence running on-device for writing assistance, summarization, and photo editing tools without sending data to a server. The 13-inch Liquid Retina display hits 2408-by-1506 resolution at up to 500 nits of brightness with support for a billion colors, which is sharper and brighter than most Windows laptops at twice the price. Battery life runs up to 16 hours, covering two full work days of moderate use before needing a charge.
The 1080p FaceTime camera with a dual-mic array handles video calls with the clarity that the previous generation’s 720p camera could not match, and the two side-firing speakers with Spatial Audio produce noticeably better audio than the flat sound most laptop speakers deliver. iPhone Mirroring lets you view and control your iPhone directly from the MacBook screen, shared clipboard works across both devices without setup, and FaceTime calls transfer seamlessly between the phone and the laptop. The aluminum chassis in Indigo with a color-matched keyboard is part of the most colorful MacBook lineup Apple has ever released.
The 256GB SSD covers everyday use for students and light professionals who rely on cloud storage for larger files, and the model without Touch ID keeps the entry price below the 512GB Touch ID configuration we covered earlier at $689.
Windows laptops with comparable performance specs have seen meaningful price increases over the past year as chip supply tightens and AI-optimized hardware commands a premium from manufacturers who depend on third-party silicon. Apple’s vertical integration keeps the MacBook Neo at a price that its competitors are struggling to match at equivalent capability levels. With 4.7 stars from 374 early reviews and more than 7,000 units sold last month, the MacBook Neo 256GB is already one of the fastest-moving laptops on Amazon. The $10 Amazon discount over Apple’s official price is modest, but on a product Apple rarely discounts at all, it is worth taking.