MacBook Neo Has Just 8GB RAM With No Upgrade Option
Apple made some compromises to sell a Mac notebook at $599, including cutting back on RAM. While all other Macs start at 16GB RAM, the MacBook Neo is equipped with 8GB RAM and no option to upgrade to more memory.

With the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro models and 8GB RAM, the MacBook Neo is able to run all Apple Intelligence features, but as AI gets more advanced and Apple adds new capabilities, there's a chance it could fall behind.
8GB RAM ensures the MacBook Neo is affordable, especially with the current memory shortages that are causing prices to soar. It's also the RAM in the iPhone 16 Pro.
Apple's MacBook Air used to have an 8GB option, but in October 2024, Apple updated it to add 16GB RAM to the entry level machine. Since then, no Mac has shipped with less than 16GB.
Though it only has 8GB RAM, the MacBook Neo is a powerful machine for everyday tasks like writing, web browsing, and schoolwork, and it's more than capable of light photo and video editing.
Pricing on the MacBook Neo starts at $599, and it is available for pre-order.
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It's been a little over two weeks since the MacBook Neo launched on March 11, and MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has been using it daily to do a more thorough review.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.
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