Laptops
MacBook Air M4 vs MacBook Neo
MacBook Air M4 and MacBook Neo are 13-inch Apple laptops, but they are built for different buyers. MacBook Air M4 is the stronger everyday Mac with the M4 chip, more memory, Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe, a sharper display, and longer battery life, while MacBook Neo is the lower-cost MacBook with an A18 Pro chip, colorful finishes, and a simpler port setup.
Last updated: June 30, 2026
Apple
MacBook Air M4
A thin and light Apple laptop built for students, everyday work, Apple Intelligence, stronger multitasking, external displays, and silent portable performance.
VS
Apple
MacBook Neo
A lower-cost 13-inch Apple laptop built for school, browsing, writing, streaming, basic productivity, colorful design, and everyday Mac access.
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Specifications
Pros & Cons
MacBook Air M4 — Pros
✓M4 chip has a 10-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, and 120GB/s memory bandwidth.
✓Starts with 16GB unified memory, while MacBook Neo starts with 8GB.
✓13.6-inch Liquid Retina display has higher resolution and pixel density than MacBook Neo.
✓Battery life is rated up to 18 hours video streaming and 15 hours wireless web.
✓Includes MagSafe 3 and two Thunderbolt 4 ports instead of two mixed-speed USB-C ports.
✓Supports up to two external 6K displays at 60Hz.
✓Uses a 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View support.
MacBook Air M4 — Cons
✕Official US launch price started at $999, which is $300 more than MacBook Neo's current $699 starting price on the Apple US Store as of June 2026.
✕Base storage was 256GB at launch, while MacBook Neo can be configured to 512GB at a lower overall price than Air launch pricing.
✕Bluetooth 5.3 is older than MacBook Neo Bluetooth 6.
✕It is no longer Apple's current MacBook Air generation after the M5 model replaced it.
✕Overkill if you only need a basic Mac for browsing, writing, school portals, and video streaming.
MacBook Neo — Pros
✓Starts at $699 on the Apple US Store as of June 2026, which is $300 less than MacBook Air M4's $999 official US launch price.
✓Apple A18 Pro chip includes a 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and 16-core Neural Engine.
✓Bluetooth 6 is newer than MacBook Air M4 Bluetooth 5.3.
✓Includes two USB-C ports, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and a USB-C power adapter in the box.
✓Available in more playful finishes: Silver, Blush, Citrus, and Indigo.
✓Same listed weight as the 13-inch MacBook Air M4 at 2.7lb.
✓Good enough for browsing, writing, video calls, streaming, and everyday student use.
MacBook Neo — Cons
✕Starts with 8GB unified memory, while MacBook Air M4 starts with 16GB.
✕A18 Pro chip is less capable than M4 for sustained laptop workloads and heavier multitasking.
✕Display is smaller and lower resolution than the 13.6-inch MacBook Air M4 display.
✕Supports only one external display up to 4K at 60Hz.
✕No Thunderbolt 4 or MagSafe 3; one USB-C port is USB 3 and the other is USB 2.
✕Battery life is rated lower than MacBook Air M4 for both video streaming and wireless web.
✕1080p FaceTime HD camera is behind MacBook Air M4's 12MP Center Stage camera.
✕Base $699 model does not include Touch ID; only the 512GB configuration at $799 includes Touch ID, unlike MacBook Air M4 where Touch ID is standard across all configurations.
Best used for
✦Write essays, reports, emails, notes, and presentations across a full school or work day.
✦Edit photos and short videos with more headroom than MacBook Neo.
✦Use Apple Intelligence features with 16GB starting unified memory.
✦Connect up to two 6K external displays for a larger desk setup.
✦Take video calls with a 12MP Center Stage camera and Desk View support.
✦Work silently in libraries, classrooms, offices, cafes, and shared spaces.
✦Run Safari, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Slack, Notion, and creative apps side by side.
✦Choose 13-inch portability or step up to the 15-inch Air if you want more screen space.
Best used for
✦Use a lower-cost MacBook for school portals, assignments, email, and web apps.
✦Stream Apple TV, YouTube, Netflix, and course videos on a 13-inch Liquid Retina display.
✦Write in Pages, Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Notes, Notion, and browser-based tools.
✦Carry a 2.7lb MacBook between classes, home, cafes, libraries, and travel bags.
✦Use Apple Intelligence on a lower-priced Apple laptop.
✦Connect one external display up to 4K at 60Hz for a basic desk setup.
✦Choose a brighter color finish such as Blush, Citrus, or Indigo.
✦Buy a simple Mac for users who do not need Thunderbolt, MagSafe, or heavy creative performance.
⚖️
Our Verdict
MacBook Air M4 is the better choice if you want the stronger Mac laptop experience: more memory, a faster M4 chip, a sharper 13.6-inch display, longer battery life, Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe, better video calls, and much better external-display support. It is the safer pick for students, professionals, and everyday users who plan to keep the laptop for years or run more than basic browser work. MacBook Neo is the better choice if price matters most and your workload is mostly writing, browsing, streaming, school apps, and simple productivity. It gives you Apple Intelligence, a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, lightweight design, and colorful finishes at a lower current Apple Store starting price. Buy MacBook Air M4 if performance and long-term flexibility matter more; buy MacBook Neo if you want the cheapest practical MacBook for basic daily use.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose MacBook Air M4 if...
→You want the stronger overall laptop for multitasking and app performance.
→You need 16GB unified memory as the starting configuration.
→You want a sharper 13.6-inch display with Wide color (P3).
→You use two external displays or need up to 6K external-display support.
→You want Thunderbolt 4, USB 4, and MagSafe 3.
→You take frequent video calls and want the 12MP Center Stage camera.
→You want longer official battery life for video streaming and wireless web.
→You plan to keep the laptop for several years and want more headroom than MacBook Neo.
Choose MacBook Neo if...
→You want the lowest-cost MacBook from Apple.
→You mostly browse, write documents, stream video, use email, and manage schoolwork.
→You do not need Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe, or two external displays.
→You prefer a colorful finish such as Blush, Citrus, or Indigo.
→You are buying for a student or first-time Mac user with basic needs.
→You are fine with 8GB unified memory and 256GB or 512GB storage.
→You want Bluetooth 6 on the cheaper MacBook.
→You want a simple 13-inch MacBook and do not need the extra power of M4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is MacBook Air M4 better than MacBook Neo?
A: Yes for performance and long-term flexibility. MacBook Air M4 has a faster M4 chip, 16GB starting memory, a sharper display, longer battery life, Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe, and better external-display support. MacBook Neo is better only if you mainly want the lower price.
Q: What is the main difference between MacBook Air M4 and MacBook Neo?
A: The main difference is the hardware class. MacBook Air M4 is a full MacBook Air with an M4 chip, 16GB starting memory, Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe, and up to two 6K external displays. MacBook Neo uses an A18 Pro chip, starts with 8GB memory, and is built for lower-cost everyday use.
Q: Which is cheaper, MacBook Air M4 or MacBook Neo?
A: MacBook Neo is cheaper based on the current Apple US Store starting price checked June 2026. MacBook Air M4 launched from $999 in the US, while MacBook Neo is listed from $699 on Apple's current US Store.
Q: Which has better battery life, MacBook Air M4 or MacBook Neo?
A: MacBook Air M4 has the better official battery claim. Apple lists it at up to 18 hours of video streaming and 15 hours wireless web. MacBook Neo is listed at up to 16 hours video streaming and 11 hours wireless web.
Q: Does MacBook Neo have the same chip as MacBook Air M4?
A: No. MacBook Neo uses Apple A18 Pro, while MacBook Air M4 uses Apple M4. Both support Apple Intelligence, but M4 is the stronger laptop chip for multitasking, creative work, and external-display workflows.
Q: Which has better ports, MacBook Air M4 or MacBook Neo?
A: MacBook Air M4 has better ports. It includes MagSafe 3 and two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports. MacBook Neo has one USB 3 USB-C port, one USB 2 USB-C port, and a headphone jack.
Q: Which is better for students, MacBook Air M4 or MacBook Neo?
A: MacBook Neo is better for students with basic workloads and a tight budget. MacBook Air M4 is better for students who need stronger multitasking, external displays, longer battery life, or creative apps.
Q: Which has the better display, MacBook Air M4 or MacBook Neo?
A: MacBook Air M4 has the better display. It has a larger 13.6-inch Liquid Retina panel, higher 2560 x 1664 resolution, 224 PPI, and Wide color (P3). MacBook Neo has a 13.0-inch 2408 x 1506 display at 219 PPI with sRGB color.
Q: Can MacBook Neo replace MacBook Air M4?
A: It can replace MacBook Air M4 only for basic use. If you mostly write, browse, stream, and use web apps, MacBook Neo is enough. If you need stronger multitasking, better ports, better video calls, or external displays, MacBook Air M4 remains the better laptop.
Q: Which should I buy in 2026, MacBook Air M4 or MacBook Neo?
A: Buy MacBook Air M4 if you find it at a good price and want stronger performance than MacBook Neo. Buy MacBook Neo if you want the lowest-cost new MacBook from Apple and your workload is light. For most long-term users, Air has more headroom; for basic buyers, Neo is the value pick.
Sources & References
Prices, features and specifications in this comparison were verified from official sources.
- ↗Apple MacBook Neo Official Product Page
- ↗Apple MacBook Neo Technical Specifications
- ↗Apple Support MacBook Neo Technical Specifications
- ↗Apple US Store Buy MacBook Neo
- ↗Apple US Store Buy MacBook Neo 512GB
- ↗Apple Support MacBook Air 13-inch M4 2025 Technical Specifications
- ↗Apple Newsroom MacBook Air M4 Announcement
Last verified: June 2026
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