Apple's aggressive pricing strategy reshapes the budget laptop market. The company unveiled the MacBook Neo starting at $599 for consumers and $499 for students, marking a significant $400 reduction compared to previous generation launches. The device features a 13-inch display, aluminum design, 1080p camera, and up to 16 hours of battery life. Available for pre-order now with March 11 availability, the MacBook Neo positions Apple to capture price-sensitive consumers who might otherwise choose Windows PCs or Chromebooks. This move comes alongside the iPhone 17e launch at $599 and updated MacBook Air and Pro models, signaling Apple's expansion into lower price tiers to drive market share growth and ecosystem expansion.