Apple Inc. has expanded its MacBook portfolio by introducing a new entry-level laptop called the Apple MacBook Neo. The device is designed as an affordable MacBook option for students and everyday users. At the same time, Apple has upgraded the Apple MacBook Air (M5) with its latest Apple M5 chip, offering better speed and advanced capabilities for professionals and creators.
Below is a comparison of both laptops covering performance, memory, display, connectivity, battery life, and pricing.
Processor and Performance
MacBook Neo – A18 Pro Chip
The Apple MacBook Neo is powered by the Apple A18 Pro processor. This is notable because it brings a chip originally used in the Apple iPhone 16 Pro series into a MacBook device.
Key specifications of A18 Pro:
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6-core CPU (2 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores)
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5-core GPU
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16-core Neural Engine
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Ray tracing support
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60GB/s memory bandwidth
According to Apple, the Neo delivers noticeably improved performance for everyday computing tasks compared with some laptops using Intel Core Ultra 5 processors. The device is mainly intended for tasks such as browsing, document work, office apps, and light photo editing, along with AI features integrated in macOS.
MacBook Air (M5) – Next-Generation Apple Silicon
The Apple MacBook Air (M5) features the powerful Apple M5 chip, which is also used in selected Apple MacBook Pro and Apple iPad Pro models.
M5 chip highlights:
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10-core CPU (4 performance + 6 efficiency cores)
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Up to 10-core GPU
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16-core Neural Engine
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Dedicated neural accelerators
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Hardware ray tracing
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153GB/s memory bandwidth
Apple states that the M5 chip can deliver up to 9.5 times faster AI processing compared to older Macs powered by the Apple M1 chip. This makes the MacBook Air suitable for heavier workloads like video editing, graphics work, and advanced multitasking.
Performance Summary
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MacBook Neo – Best for everyday tasks and students
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MacBook Air (M5) – Ideal for creators and professional users
Memory and Storage
MacBook Neo
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8GB unified memory
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Storage options: 256GB or 512GB
MacBook Air (M5)
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16GB unified memory in the base model
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Configurable up to 32GB RAM
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512GB base storage
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Expandable storage up to 4TB
The Air offers more powerful configurations for users who require higher memory and storage capacity.
Display and Design
Both laptops come with Liquid Retina displays and brightness of up to 500 nits, delivering sharp visuals and accurate colours.
MacBook Neo
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13-inch display
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Resolution: 2408 × 1506
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Support for 1 billion colours
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Weight: 1.23 kg
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Colours: Silver, Indigo, Citrus, Blush
MacBook Air (M5)
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13.6-inch display with 2560 × 1664 resolution
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Optional 15.3-inch version available
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P3 wide colour support
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True Tone display technology
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Colours: Sky Blue, Midnight, Starlight, Silver
Both laptops use a fanless aluminium design, which keeps them thin and quiet during operation.
Camera, Audio and Connectivity
MacBook Neo
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1080p FaceTime HD camera
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Dual microphones
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Dual speakers with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos
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Two USB-C ports
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3.5mm headphone jack
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Wi-Fi 6E
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Bluetooth 6
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Supports one external display
MacBook Air (M5)
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12MP Center Stage camera
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Three-microphone system
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Four-speaker audio setup
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MagSafe 3 charging port
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Two Thunderbolt 4 ports
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3.5mm headphone jack
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Wi-Fi 7 with Apple’s N1 wireless chip
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Bluetooth 6
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Supports up to two external displays
The MacBook Air clearly offers more advanced connectivity and multimedia features.
Battery Life
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MacBook Neo – Up to 16 hours of video playback
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MacBook Air (M5) – Up to 18 hours of video streaming
Both devices provide enough battery life for a full day of typical use.
