Apple’s MacBook Neo is a “bold move to thwart Google,” Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) says in a new report.
Most Apple announcements are about new generations of existing devices – the iPhone 17 Pro replaces the iPhone 16 Pro and the like.
Even when the new device is “more new,” it still fills a spot in the Apple lineup – the iPhone 16e replaces the iPhone SE as a next generation entry-level smartphone.
For years in the personal computer market, Apple has ceded the low-end to competitors. Macs, both desktop and laptop, tend to premium prices. In recent years, Apple discounted the MacBook Air a bit to make it a more economical option in the PC market, but Apple has never aggressively addressed the low-priced laptop market.
However, CIRP notes that Apple priced the MacBook Neo aggressively, starting at US$599 for the base model ($499 for the education market, more about that below). Features include modest processor power and decent WiFi connectivity. Among its competitors, it most resembles the Google Chromebook.
“That’s no accident. Apple once dominated the education market,” says CIRP. “Apple created student users who became comfortable with MacOS, and then became business users as they grew older and entered the workforce. Apple’s growth in the business market surprised many, as the Windows/Intel juggernaut owned that segment for years.”
Then, the education market started to get away from Apple. Google aggressively pursued schools, with services including cloud-based email platforms and productivity apps. That enabled the creation of Chromebooks – low-cost laptop computers built around a web browser.
Chromebooks have roughly doubled their penetration among all Apple customers since 2018. Among recent Apple customers, 21% report having a Google Chromebook as of December 2025, up from 10% in 2018. Apple is fighting back with the MacBook Neo, opines CIRP.
I hope you’ll help support Apple World Today by becoming a patron. Almost all our income is from Patreon support and sponsored posts. Patreon pricing ranges from $2 to $10 a month. Thanks in advance for your support.
