In this video I compare the M1 MacBook Air to the new MacBook Neo and get into how close they really are if you’re shopping on a budget. Price is the first big split: the Neo starts at $5.99 (or $4.99 for students), while the M1 Air is floating around Walmart and places like that for roughly $300–$400 depending on the deal. The screens are basically the same size (13 vs 13.3), but you’re looking at Liquid Retina on the Neo vs Retina on the Air. The chips are also totally different vibes: the Neo is using an A18 Pro (phone chip), while the M1 is the proven one everyone already knows and loves. From there, I run through the practical stuff that actually affects day-to-day use: multitasking differences, core counts, both starting at 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, and battery (18 hours Neo vs 16 hours Air). The Neo does win on webcam (1080p vs 720p) and newer wireless (Wi‑Fi 6E + Bluetooth 6), but it also has some “bummer” trade-offs—no Thunderbolt, and you only get Touch ID if you step up to the 512GB model. My takeaway: if they’re the same price, I’d lean M1 because it’s proven, but honestly it’s a toss-up depending on what you care about. Either one is great for school—just don’t expect powerhouse performance; these are basically Apple’s version of Chromebooks.