Apple’s $599 MacBook Neo vs. $1,099 MacBook Air: The Ultimate Showdown

In a move that sent shockwaves through the tech world, Apple just dropped the MacBook Neo at an eye-popping $599—half the price of its popular M5 MacBook Air. But here’s the million-dollar question (or in this case, the $500 question): Is Apple’s budget-friendly newcomer actually worth your money, or should you stick with the tried-and-true Air?

ZDNET’s Kerry Wan got exclusive hands-on time with both machines, and the results might surprise you. While these laptops look nearly identical at first glance—both weighing 2.7 pounds with similar dimensions—the devil is in the details, and those details could make or break your decision.

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