Apple just dropped the MacBook Neo at $599, and on paper it looks like the obvious budget Mac. But the problem is simple: the M1 MacBook Air still exists—and it’s still one of the best-value Macs Apple has ever made. In this video, I put the MacBook Neo vs the M1 Air head-to-head the way real buyers actually shop: performance, design, display, ports, battery life, keyboard, speakers, and what matters most in 2026—long-term value. My goal here isn’t to crown a “winner” for everyone. It’s to help you buy the right Mac for your use case and not get baited by the newest price tag. I break down where the Neo makes sense as Apple’s cheapest new MacBook, and where the M1 Air still punches way above its age if you can get it at the right price (especially renewed). If you’re choosing between these two, this comparison is basically the shortcut to knowing what to buy—and what to skip.