Apple basically created a $600 cage match in 2026, and in this video I break down which one actually makes sense: the new $599 MacBook Neo, the M4 iPad Air, or the base iPad paired with a keyboard. On paper they’re all “entry-level,” but they’re trying to solve totally different problems—especially once you factor in how you actually work (typing-heavy tasks vs touch + Pencil workflows, file management, multitasking, and what apps you live in). I walk through the real-world decision points I see people get wrong: buying an iPad and expecting it to feel like a Mac, or buying a MacBook and forgetting how much iPadOS can speed up capture, brainstorming, and portable creator work. I also talk value the way I think you should: not just the sticker price, but what you’ll spend to make it usable (keyboard, case, accessories) and what you gain back in time. My main takeaway is simple: if your day is built around desktop-class apps and you need the least friction for “sit down and get work done,” the MacBook Neo is the obvious play. If your workflow is iPad-first—notes, Pencil, mobility, quick edits, and creator tools—the iPad Air M4 is still the most flexible. And if you just want the cheapest Apple setup with a keyboard, the base iPad can work, but only if you’re honest about the compromises.