El The MacBook Neo has become the cheapest laptop which Apple sells, and that has sparked interest… and also doubts. Its aggressive price makes it very tempting, but upon closer inspection, significant compromises appear that weren't fully explained in the official presentation, especially regarding the SSD speed compared to MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.
Much of the controversy stems from the fact that, on paper, the Neo combines a A very capable chip (A18 Pro) with surprisingly slow storage By Apple's current standards, this clashes with our usual perception of the brand: incredibly smooth laptops with lightning-fast SSDs and no major bottlenecks. The reality here is a bit more nuanced: the machine is more than adequate for the average user, but there are clear technical differences compared to the Air and Pro models that are worth understanding before making a purchase.
MacBook Neo: specifications, price, and product philosophy
Apple presents the Neo as the cheapest entry point to the Mac ecosystemIt starts at around $599 (16,990 Czech crowns in the European example), a figure well below any recent MacBook, which explains why they have had to cut costs on several fronts to balance the books.
At the heart of the team is the A18 Pro chip, the same one used in the iPhone 16 ProAlthough adapted for laptops: 6 CPU cores and 5 GPU cores in the Neo version. It's a 3nm SoC (TSMC's N3E process) with a 64-bit ARMv9.2-A architecture, meaning it shares the same technological base as the M4 in the latest Macs, only with fewer cores.
The memory configuration is simple: 8 GB of unified RAM with no upgrade optionThis is already common in entry-level Macs. For storage, Apple offers 256 GB in the base model and 512 GB in the higher-end variant, both capacities also soldered and not expandable.
To make it even cheaper, the Neo forgoes several conveniences: there is no backlit keyboard, no MagSafe port The rest of the hardware is more focused on the basics. In return, it offers a lightweight design, good battery life, and a full macOS suite, capable of running the same apps as a current MacBook Air or Pro.
SSD speeds in the MacBook Neo: the real numbers
Where the hare jumps is in the SSD speed in the MacBook NeoSeveral media outlets and creators have measured the drive's performance using common tools such as Blackmagic Disk Speed Test or AmorphousDiskMark, the same ones used to compare the rest of the Mac.
In tests performed on the 256 GB model with the A18 Pro chip, the Neo performs around 1.600-1.735 MB/s sequential read and around 1.570-1.684 MB/s write speedThese are very modest numbers considering Apple's recent track record with extremely fast SSDs.
To put it in context, these speeds don't even fully utilize the typical bandwidth of a PCIe NVMe Gen 3 SSDThis doesn't mean they are slow in absolute terms, but they are far behind what we see in the rest of the laptops in the current range.
A compilation of results with AmorphousDiskMark also shows that the Neo behaves very similarly to Macs with 256GB M2 and M3 drives. which used a single NAND chip. In other words, Apple is returning to a strategy we already know: simple, single-module units for the base models, with lower performance.
Comparison with MacBook Air and MacBook Pro: from “adequate” to “too fast”
The most striking aspect comes when comparing the Neo with the rest of Apple's laptop lineup. MacBook Air with M5 chip and 256 GBAccording to the same tests with Blackmagic, it operates in the range of 6.473 MB/s read and 6.558 MB/s writeThat is, more than three times faster than the Neo in sequential operations.
Even the previous generation, the MacBook Air with M4This already exposed Neo: its figures are around 2.833 MB/s readmore than double the SSD of the entry-level computer. And if we go back even further, the old MacBook Air M1 with “large” SSD It far exceeded 3.400 MB/s, also surpassing the Neo.
At the opposite end of the catalog we find the MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max chipswhere SSD performance is simply phenomenal. On those machines, performance has been measured at around 13,6 GB/s read and 17,8 GB/s write in the fastest models, and configurations with 8 TB that even exceed 22 GB/s in certain tests.
If we take all this data and put it in an imaginary table, Neo becomes very clear: SSD comparable to the base 256GB Mac M2/M3This is far below the Air M4/M5 and light years behind the Pro models with the M5 Pro/Max. The rest of Apple's laptops are in a completely different league when it comes to storage.
Why the Neo's SSD is so slow: NAND modules and cost cuts
The key lies in how Apple physically configures the drive. In the 256GB MacBook Neo, just as with the 13-inch MacBook Pro M2 and 2023 Mac mini M2Everything points to the fact that a single 256GB NAND memory chip for the SSD.
When using a single chip of this type, the SSD controller has fewer parallel “channels” to work with, which significantly reduces the maximum speed, especially in sequential readings and writingsIn contrast, configurations with two or more chips (for example, 2 x 128 GB for a total of 256 GB, or 4 x 128 GB for 512 GB) allow simultaneous data transfer and boost performance.
We already saw this pattern with the MacBook Pro M2 base 256 GBThe M2 showed read speeds approximately 50% lower than the M1 model with the same capacity, and write speeds around 30% lower. Opening the laptop revealed that the M2 used a single 256GB NAND module, while the M1 had two 128GB modules working in parallel.
Something very similar was detected in the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Pro and 512 GB In 2023, compared to models with M1 Pro, tests showed significantly lower sequential read and write speeds. The explanation, again, lay in the number and arrangement of the NAND chips on the board, with fewer, higher-capacity modules due to cost considerations.
On 2 Mac mini M2023 The same thing happened: the 256GB model showed speeds of around 1.431 MB/s for writing and 1.482 MB/s for reading, practically half that of the 2020 Mac mini M1, which ran at around 2.733 MB/s and 2.854 MB/s respectively. Everything suggests that the Neo inherits this exact same philosophy. More details about the different Mac mini models can be found at [link to relevant documentation]. everything about the Mac mini.
Does a slower SSD really matter in everyday use?
On paper, going from 7.000 MB/s to 1.700 MB/s sounds like absolute catastropheIn everyday reality, the story is considerably less dramatic, especially for the typical customer the MacBook Neo is aimed at.
For tasks such as browsing the internet, using the office suite, answering emails, making video calls, or watching streaming contentWhat matters most is the CPU's single-core performance and overall system responsiveness, and the A18 Pro excels in this area. Accessing small files and loading lightweight apps doesn't demand much sustained bandwidth from the SSD, so the average user is unlikely to notice that their drive isn't record-breaking.
The difference is noticeable when driving. very large filesCopies of tens or hundreds of gigabytes, raw video libraries, heavy virtual machines, etc. Copying a 100 GB file, for example, can take about a minute in the Neo, compared to about 30 seconds on a MacBook Air M5 and just a few seconds on a MacBook Pro with an M5 Max or top-of-the-range SSD.
However, we also have to be realistic: the base model of the Neo has only 256 GB of storage And the top-of-the-range variant "only" offers 512 GB. It's not exactly the machine you'd buy if your plan is to move 100 GB or larger projects daily, so that extreme scenario won't be common among the target audience.
The first Reviews and analyses of international media They agree almost word for word: the SSD is clearly slower, yes, but in the normal use for which the Neo is designed, the impact is minimal. Those who buy this laptop looking for an inexpensive machine for everyday use rarely pay attention to MB/s figures, and even less so to benchmark graphs.
The combined effect: slow SSD and only 8GB of RAM
Things get complicated when we combine two limitations: a modest storage speed and some meager 8 GB of RAM that cannot be expanded. Here we are no longer just talking about copying files, but about how macOS manages memory when it runs out of space in physical RAM.
On any Mac, when applications consume all available memory, the system starts using the SSD as virtual memory (swap)This always implies a performance penalty: the SSD, however fast it may be, is much slower than RAM. But if the drive is quiet, like the one in the Neo, the effect is even more noticeable.
For heavy workflows —4K video editing, complex audio projects, large code compilations, local AI applications, or very intensive multitasking with dozens of open tabs and apps— the system can constantly enter and exit the SSD to exchange data, creating small, noticeable bottlenecks and slowdowns.
On a MacBook Air M5 with a much faster SSD, that performance boost is already noticeable when the system swaps. On the Neo, the combination of Low RAM + Slow SSD These scenarios can become downright uncomfortable if they persist over time.
That's why many analysts recommend carefully considering your intended use: if you're looking for a machine for office work, content consumption, light apps, and some basic photo editing, the Neo performs without much trouble. However, if you intend to go further and tackle more demanding tasks, the Neo will be a better choice. professional or semi-professional workloadsIt's worth considering upgrading to a MacBook Air M5 or even a Pro, even if it means paying considerably more.
A18 Pro chip performance versus M1, M3 and M4
Interestingly, while the SSD is criticized for being "sluggish," the The A18 Pro chip performs quite well in the benchmarksApple hasn't held back here: the Geekbench 6 results show that the Neo is by no means a CPU-slow laptop.
In single-core tests, the MacBook Neo scores around 3.461 points, while in multi-core it's around 8.668 pointsIn practical terms, Neo is almost 48% faster than the M1 in single-core and it is at a very similar level to the M1 in multi-core performance, approaching the M3 and M4 in terms of per-core power.
In graphics, Metal's performance is somewhat lower than that of the iPhone 16 Pro, which is logical considering that the Neo uses a GPU with one less coreEven so, it offers more than acceptable power for light gaming, interface acceleration, photo editing, and some moderate video editing.
What's interesting about this data is that it undermines part of the "it's a mobile phone chip in a laptop" argument. Technically, the A18 Pro and the M4 share the same architectural DNAThe same generation of process and design philosophy as Apple Silicon; the big difference is in the total number of cores and the energy approach.
Ultimately, what determines daily ease of use when opening apps, browsing, navigating the system, and managing common tasks is primarily single-core performance. And in that area, the Neo excels. It behaves like a mid-range Mac, although its SSD might suggest otherwise if we only look at disk speed graphs.
How does the Neo fit into the Mac range and who is it aimed at?
Priced at about 699 euros as a gateway to the Mac ecosystem In many markets, the Neo fills a gap that Apple hadn't filled for a long time: that of the truly affordable laptop for those coming from cheap Windows or Chromebooks and wanting to try macOS without breaking the bank.
That audience usually looks for decent battery, good screen, comfortable keyboard, and that "everything runs smoothly" In normal tasks, they don't typically work on massive projects, edit 4K daily, or train AI models locally. For them, the reduction in SSD speed is almost imperceptible, while they do notice the benefit of having modern Apple Silicon and a highly optimized system.
The person who should really think twice is the profile that plans to use the Neo as main equipment for demanding workIn those cases, the combination of 8GB of RAM, a slow SSD, and limited storage takes its toll. That's when the higher cost of a MacBook Air M5 starts to make a lot of sense, because you not only gain raw power but also more flexibility in the medium term. If you're interested in optimizing and saving money while using macOS, check out guides like How to save money and optimize your Mac experience.
In this sense, Apple is playing a game it has already played with other models: offering a very aggressively priced entry-level option, assuming that the user who wants to get the most out of the system... will eventually move up a level within the catalog, either to an Air with more storage or directly to a Pro.
Ultimately, the Neo is a very attractive "bait" for that huge market of users who have been using inexpensive Windows laptops or modest Chromebooks for years and have never had such an easy entry into macOS. For them, the leap in overall experience will be significant, even though on paper the Neo's SSD seems outdated compared to the Pro models.
This whole picture makes it clear that the The MacBook Neo is a very capable machine in terms of CPU and just adequate in terms of SSD.Designed for everyday use, not for intensive tasks where storage makes all the difference. Understanding these limitations before buying is key: those who use it for its intended purpose will likely be delighted, while those expecting MacBook Pro performance in an entry-level machine may be disappointed when they start copying huge projects, multitasking extensively, or running local AI continuously.
