Apple Retailer iStore Pre-orders for Apple's new MacBook Neo have started at R11 999 for the 256GB model and R13 999 for the 512GB version – pricing that could attract a large number of PC buyers to the Mac platform.
At the current exchange rate, the US base price is approximately R10 900, making iStore's local pricing competitive, as import duties and VAT have to be factored in. By comparison, the M4 MacBook Air currently starts at R18 999 on the iStore, meaning the Neo comes in at R7 000 less than the cheapest MacBook Air.
Pricing is aggressive by any measure and puts the MacBook Neo in an area occupied by mid-range Windows laptops and Chromebooks.
As TechCentral reported this weekThe MacBook Neo is powered by the A18 Pro chip – the same processor found in the iPhone 16 Pro – instead of the M-series silicon used in the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. It comes with 8GB of integrated memory (non-upgradeable) and a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, two USB-C ports, and up to 16 hours of claimed battery life.
The 256GB base model does not include Touch ID; That feature is reserved for the 512GB variant.
in one Opinion column for TechCentralEditor Duncan MacLeod described the MacBook Neo as “one of the smartest moves Apple has made in years” and argued that Windows PC makers should be concerned. At US$599, the Neo costs $500 less than the new M5 MacBook Air while offering Apple's build quality, macOS ecosystem, and all-day battery life in an aluminum chassis.
shipping date
IDC vice president Francisco Geronimo told Reuters the key question is how Apple balances cost, performance and brand positioning while maintaining the premium experience associated with the Mac.
Reading: Apple recently dropped a bomb on the Windows world
The MacBook Neo comes in four colors: Silver, Blush, Citrus, and Indigo. It is now available for pre-order, with deliveries starting from March 11. — (c) 2026 NewsCentral Media
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