MacBook Neo’s Windows rivals are coming – but can you handle their shortcomings?

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ZDNET Highlights

• The MacBook Neo raised the bar in the budget PC market.
• Current budget PCs are inferior to Neo.
• Google may be in a better position to compete with Neo than Windows.

of apple $599 macbook neo Windows was a shock to the PC market – and that’s a good thing. The most affordable MacBook ever brings a new experience to budget laptops, forcing Microsoft and its partners to respond with higher-end products that can actually compete.

Let’s face it, the bottom line of the PC market is a bit disappointing: uninspiring displays, ugly form factors, and weak performance. Sure, you get what you pay for, but the Neo is so popular because it’s above its price point. In fact, since its release in March 2026, it has exceeded Apple’s projected numbers and has resulted in a backlog. On Apple’s official site.

Plus: We compared the MacBook Neo to its closest Windows and Chromebook rivals: Specs

You can bet Microsoft is working on a follow-up. It’s only been a few months, but we’re starting to see the first PCs with similar specs at similar prices, including some rumored. We’ve already identified a handful of Windows PCs (and Chromebooks) that can take on the MacBook Neo, but how do they actually stack up?

Side by side

PC manufacturers have become accustomed to releasing products of a certain capacity in this price range. This means lower-resolution displays, less expensive construction materials like plastic instead of aluminum, and modest processor technology. When you put these laptops next to the Neo, the differences become apparent.

For example, take a look at this laptop that looks like a solid competitor on the surface: LG’s Gram Book 15-inch Because, you guessed it: $599. It’s a sleek looking laptop with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage – similar to the Neo.

The processors are also comparable. The Gram Book has an Intel Core Ultra 5 115U in Intel’s Meteor Lake series from 2024, and the Neo’s A18 Pro chip is also from the same year. Additionally, the Gram Book has far more ports than the Neo: two USB-C, two USB-AS, an HDMI, a headphone jack, and a lock slot.

But when you look at the details the Neo comes out ahead. Its display is smaller, but its resolution is 2408 x 1506 compared to 1920 x 1080 FHD on the Gram Book, which means it’ll look far sharper. The Gram Book’s matte display is surrounded by plastic bezels, while the Neo’s all-glass panel feels much more premium. The Neo’s aluminum construction also outperforms the Gram Book’s mostly plastic chassis.

Also: Framework Laptop 13 Pro vs. MacBook Neo: These Windows rivals are more similar than expected

And that’s not even mentioning the Neo’s Apple integration for iPhone users: quality-of-life features like Messages, FaceTime, phone mirroring, and AirDrop. The Windows Smartphone app doesn’t compare.

Is Google growing?

Neo certainly converted some Windows users, but it’s not the only alternative to Microsoft’s ubiquitous operating system. Google’s ChromeOS offers a lightweight, streamlined platform with some extremely affordable tools.

I made the case that lenovo chromebook plus 14 The Neo is the closest Chromebook competitor, even doing some things better. It has a great OLED display, lightweight build, and great keyboard and speakers. Plus, the MediaTek Companio ARM-based processor is fast and battery-efficient. But it is more expensive. Neo still wins in terms of value.

ChromeOS’s functionality is limited compared to macOS’s decades of maturity. But Google also definitely has plans to compete. Rumors of a ChromeOS redesign have been circulating for months, and Google has a big opportunity to compete with Apple in its smartphone integration.

If Google can bring more Android features to ChromeOS, it will join Apple with native features that unify the laptop and smartphone experience — something Windows doesn’t have. He could be very big.

Also: The case to buy the MacBook Neo right now – especially for students

One thing’s for sure: The MacBook Neo has led PC and Chromebook makers to set a new standard for budget devices, and that’s great news for consumers. We’ll see if Microsoft can bring devices in 2026 that can truly rival the king of budget computing.