MacBook Neo: Low-cost Apple laptop confirmed ahead of launch

Thanks to leaked documents spotted by MacRumors, we now have solid evidence pointing at what Apple may have decided to name its upcoming low-cost MacBook. Apparently, it is set to be tagged the MacBook Neo.

If the leaked information turns out to be true, it would mark the first time that the Cupertino giant has used the "Neo" moniker. While the leaked documents do not reveal any enticing details regarding the upcoming cheap MacBook, it does reveal that the laptop will sport dual USB-C ports along as well as a MagSafe slot for charging. WiFi 7 support has also been revealed.

It is unclear, however, whether the USB-C ports will feature Thunderbolt 4 capabilities. Considering that the affordable MacBook, or the MacBook Neo, is likely to boast an A18 Pro SoC, Thunderbolt support does seem unlikely. For now, we do not have any confirmation regarding which exact SoC the MacBook Neo will boast.

That said, we do know, courtesy of leaks and rumors, that the affordable MacBook is likely to feature a 12.9-inch display with a much lower peak brightness than the MacBook Air. Other rumored drawbacks include the possible lack of a backlit keyboard, slower SSDs limited to 512 GB, and a meagre 8 GB of system memory.

Pricing predictions have been all over the place, with some sources claiming an entry-level price as low as $599, whereas more recent estimates state that the MacBook Neo could cost as much as $799. A plethora of color options are also likely to be offered, including light blue, green, yellow, and pink.

Whether or not any of the above predictions turn out to be true will be settled soon enough, thankfully. But we do know with a fair amount of certainty, that a new low-cost MacBook is indeed on its way.