MacBook Neo vs MacBook Air M5: Indian Buyers Make a Clear Choice
Apple's MacBook Neo starts at Rs 69,900, while the M5-powered MacBook Air begins at Rs 119,900.
Apple has expanded its laptop lineup with the launch of the new MacBook Neo alongside an updated MacBook Air (2026). The MacBook Neo is positioned as the company’s most affordable laptop offering, sitting below the MacBook Air in the lineup. Both devices will be available for purchase in India through the Apple India online store, as the company continues to broaden its range of consumer and professional laptops powered by its in-house silicon.
The MacBook Neo is priced at Rs 69,900 in India for the base model with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, while the higher 512GB configuration costs Rs 79,900. Apple is also offering a Rs 10,000 student discount with valid identification. The laptop is currently available for pre-order in colour options, including Blush, Citrus, Indigo, and Silver. In comparison, the 13-inch MacBook Air (2026) starts at Rs. 1,19,900, while the 15-inch variant begins at Rs. 1,44,900. The MacBook Air models are available in sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver and are scheduled to go on sale in India from March 11.
One of the most notable differences between the two laptops lies in the processors powering them. The MacBook Neo runs on Apple’s A18 Pro, the same processor used in the iPhone 16 Pro series. This makes it the first MacBook to use an A-series chip since Apple transitioned to its proprietary silicon. Meanwhile, the MacBook Air (2026) is equipped with the new M5 chip, which features a 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU with neural accelerators designed to deliver improved performance, particularly for artificial intelligence workloads.
Also Read: Apple Launches MacBook Neo in India — Rs 69,900 Price Tag Changes the Budget Laptop Game
In terms of design and display, the MacBook Neo features a 13-inch Liquid Retina IPS display with a resolution of 2,408×1,506 pixels, a 219 pixels per inch density, and a peak brightness of up to 500 nits. The laptop includes a 1080p webcam and relatively thicker bezels compared with other MacBook models. It also offers two USB Type-C ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The MacBook Air (2026), on the other hand, offers display sizes up to 15.3 inches with thinner bezels and a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera that supports Desk View functionality while maintaining a similar aluminium build.
Performance capabilities also differ significantly between the two devices. Apple claims the A18 Pro chip in the MacBook Neo delivers up to 50 per cent faster performance for everyday tasks compared with a typical Windows laptop powered by an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor. The chip is also said to provide up to three times faster processing for certain artificial intelligence tasks. Meanwhile, the M5 chip in the MacBook Air is designed for higher-performance workloads and is claimed to deliver up to four times faster AI processing compared with the previous M4-based MacBook Air.
Battery capacity further distinguishes the two models. The MacBook Neo is powered by a 36.5Wh battery that supports 20W wired charging through USB Type-C and is claimed to deliver up to 11 hours of web browsing or up to 16 hours of video playback on Wi-Fi. In contrast, the MacBook Air (2026) includes a larger 66.5Wh lithium-ion battery with support for 35W fast charging. Apple says the device can provide up to 18 hours of video streaming or around 15 hours of wireless web browsing, making it the longer-lasting option for users requiring extended battery life.
Also Read: Apple Launches MacBook Neo in India — Rs 69,900 Price Tag Changes the Budget Laptop Game
