Summary
Highlights
The video introduces the first benchmark leak for Apple's new MacBook Neo, priced at $599 ($499 for education). It highlights the fascinating results given that the laptop runs an iPhone chipset, yet shows performance comparable to older Macs, though with certain limitations.
The MacBook Neo uses the A18 Pro chip, originally from the iPhone 16 Pro, which makes it an unusual Mac. In Geekbench, it scored 3,461 in single-core and 8,668 in multi-core performance, with a metal graphics score of 31,286. These scores are nearly identical to the iPhone 16 Pro, though the laptop's GPU has one less core for thermal and power management.
The MacBook Neo's performance is impressive for its price when compared to older Macs. It is significantly faster in single-core performance and slightly ahead in multi-core compared to the original M1 MacBook Air (2,346 single-core, 8,342 multi-core), despite the M1 being a revolutionary laptop at its release.
When compared to newer Macs like the M4 MacBook Air (3,696 single-core, 14,730 multi-core, over 54,000 metal), the Neo's limitations become clear. The Neo is not designed to compete with these higher-end machines but aims for a different market: competing with cheap Windows laptops and Chromebooks for students and basic home use.
Single-core performance is crucial for daily tasks like web browsing, document writing, and video watching, where the Neo excels. Multi-core performance is respectable for its price but limits heavy workloads. Graphics performance (31,286 Metal score) is close to the 8-core M1 MacBook Air, suitable for light creative work and casual gaming, but not professional use.
The MacBook Neo fills a gap in Apple's lineup at $599, targeting the market currently dominated by Chromebooks and budget Windows laptops. Apple claims the A18 Pro is 50% faster for everyday activities than bestselling PCs with Intel Core Ultra 5 and up to three times faster for on-device AI workloads.
While these benchmarks are from early results, they align with expectations for the A18 Pro chipset: strong single-core, respectable multi-core, decent graphics, and excellent efficiency. The MacBook Neo launches on March 11th and offers a compelling package for a $599 laptop, expanding Apple's ecosystem to a new entry point.