MacBook Neo vs MacBook Air: Which One Is Better?

Apple has introduced two entry-level laptop options for buyers looking to join the Mac ecosystem: the MacBook Neo and the MacBook Air with the M5 chip. While both laptops share some similarities in design and software, they differ significantly in performance, features, and price.

The MacBook Neo starts at ₹69,900, making it the most affordable MacBook currently available. In comparison, the MacBook Air M5 starts at ₹1,19,900, creating a price difference of about ₹50,000 between the two models.

Design and Build

Both laptops feature Apple’s signature aluminium unibody design and have a similar look. The MacBook Neo and the 13-inch MacBook Air weigh about 1.23 kg, while the larger 15-inch MacBook Air weighs around 1.51 kg.

The MacBook Air is slightly thinner at 1.13 cm, compared to 1.27 cm for the Neo, though the difference may not be noticeable for most users.

There are also differences in input features. The MacBook Neo comes with a standard Magic Keyboard without backlighting, and Touch ID is available only on the higher storage variant. Meanwhile, both MacBook Air models include a backlit keyboard and Touch ID as standard features.

Another difference is the trackpad. The Neo uses a mechanical Multi-Touch trackpad, while the Air features Apple’s Force Touch haptic trackpad, which supports pressure-sensitive controls.

Display Differences

Both devices feature Liquid Retina displays, but the MacBook Air offers slightly higher resolution and additional display technologies.

The MacBook Neo has a 13-inch display with sRGB colour support, while the Air models include P3 wide colour and True Tone technology, which automatically adjusts colour temperature based on ambient lighting.

These differences may be more noticeable for users who work with photo editing, design, or colour-sensitive content.

Performance and Hardware

One of the biggest differences between the two laptops lies in their processors.

The MacBook Neo runs on Apple’s A18 Pro chip, the same processor used in the iPhone 16 Pro. It includes a 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU with 8GB of unified memory.

The MacBook Air uses Apple’s M5 chip, designed specifically for Mac computers. It features a 10-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU, along with higher memory bandwidth.

The Air also starts with 16GB RAM, while the Neo is limited to 8GB with no upgrade option.

For everyday tasks like browsing, writing documents, and streaming video, both devices are expected to perform well. However, users working with video editing, heavy multitasking, or AI workloads may find the Air’s additional power more suitable.

Connectivity and Ports

Port options also differ between the two models.

The MacBook Neo includes two USB-C ports and a headphone jack and supports one external display.

In contrast, the MacBook Air offers two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a dedicated MagSafe charging port, and a headphone jack. It can support two external displays up to 6K resolution.

The Air also features Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, while the Neo supports Wi-Fi 6E.

Battery Life and Audio

Battery performance is slightly better on the MacBook Air.

Apple estimates up to 16 hours of video playback on the Neo, compared to up to 18 hours on the MacBook Air models.

Audio systems also differ. The Neo has a dual-speaker setup, while the 13-inch Air features four speakers and the 15-inch model includes a six-speaker system.

Both laptops support 1080p video calls, but the Air adds Center Stage and Desk View features, which automatically adjust the camera during video meetings.

Price and Configuration Options

The MacBook Neo is available in two configurations:

• ₹69,900 for the 256GB model

• ₹79,900 for the 512GB model with Touch ID

The MacBook Air M5 starts at ₹1,19,900 and can be configured with up to 32GB RAM and 4TB storage, depending on the model.

Which One Should You Choose?

For users looking for an affordable entry into the Mac ecosystem, the MacBook Neo may offer enough performance for everyday tasks.

However, those who need more processing power, better display features, and greater expandability may find the MacBook Air M5 to be the more capable option despite its higher price.